Brewers: 3 Below Slot Players To Target In Round 1 Of 2023 MLB Draft

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One of the major differences between the MLB Draft and the NFL and NBA Drafts is that teams are not able to trade up and down to get the players they want. There's a slotted bonus pool system and teams are able to manipulate that pool however they like. Players can get more money than their bonus recommends or they can receive less.

Some might question why a player would sign for a bonus that's lower than their slot value, but players set asking prices for what they're looking for and if a team meets it, and it makes them a first round pick, why not take it?

The reason why teams might "reach" for a player deserving of a lower bonus with their first pick is to save bonus pool money that they then plan to use on later selections that will command higher bonuses than their slot value is worth.

Last year, the Brewers took Eric Brown in Round 1 as a below-slot target, saving money they used to sign Jacob Misiorowski in the 2nd round.

dark. Related:. Brewers Bonus Pool Allotment And Slot Values. Brewers Bonus Pool Allotment And Slot Values

The Brewers could go the below-slot route again in 2023. If they do, here are three players they could target in Round 1.

Below-slot player to target in the first round #1: OF Jack Hurley, Virginia Tech

The Brewers love college bats, and it's likely they go that route again in Round 1 this year. Virginia Tech's Jack Hurley is a very talented one from the next tier of college hitters. He could potentially be a 5 tool talent in the big leagues.

A left handed hitting outfielder, Hurley was on Team USA and is an athletic centerfielder with really good speed. Those characteristics play well in the Brewers draft model and he's someone they're sure to like.

Where the Brewers sit in the Draft at 18 overall, there's the "second tier" of college bats that is likely to have at least one player make it to Milwaukee's selection. If someone from that tier that includes Matt Shaw, Tommy Troy, Jacob Gonzalez, Enrique Bradfield, and Brayden Taylor remains on the board, the Brewers are likely to take them instead. But if there's a run on the college bats and the ones from that tier that they like are gone, they could simply move to the next tier of college hitters.

There's a decent chance that Hurley could be available to the Brewers at 33 overall in the Comp A round if they don't take him at 18.

Below slot player to target in the first round #2: SS Kevin McGonigle, Monsignor-Bonner (PA) HS

While we've mostly talked about college hitters as fits for the Brewers in the first round, there's a chance they could go to the high school ranks at 18 overall. Milwaukee isn't completely afraid of prep bats, selecting Brice Turang back in 2018.

Similar to the situation with Hurley, if that second tier of college bats goes on a run in the mid-teens and there isn't anyone left from that group the Brewers like when they get on the clock, they could look to a below slot situation and take a talented prepster in shortstop Kevin McGonigle.

In our pre-Draft superlatives, McGonigle was an under the radar fit, since we don't often talk about non-college hitters for this pick. Everything else in McGonigle's profile is exactly what the Brewers like to target. It's a plus hit tool, some decent power, solid defensive ability, and can stick up the middle. As one draft expert pointed out, McGonigle has a very similar profile to Sal Frelick, Tyler Black, and Eric Brown, each of the previous three Brewers first round and CB-A round picks.

He's one of the best pure hitters in the high school class this year, and pure hitters is one of the biggest needs for the Brewers and a constant one. You can never have enough talented hitters.

The 18th pick is a little early for McGonigle, which is why he's a rare below-slot high school target, but he may not last to the 33rd overall pick.

Below slot player to target in the first round #3: SS Brice Matthews, Nebraska

I'd probably consider this the least likely scenario of the three here, but Brice Matthews makes a lot of sense for the Brewers. He'd almost assuredly be there at 33, but he's a player who's been rising up boards of late and there's a chance he won't make it there, which could force the Brewers to take him at 18 if they really want him.

Brice Matthews checks a lot of boxes for the Brewers. He's a plus athlete, with incredible speed and range that allows him to stick at shortstop long-term. The bat is legit, Matthews posted a 20-20 season this year for the Cornhuskers and hit .359 while doing so. He has a full tool set, hits the ball with authority, and has speed for days.

The Brewers also love multi-sport athletes, and Matthews was the starting quarterback in high school back in Texas.

MLB Pipeline ranks Matthews their 57th best prospect in the Draft. It would certainly seem like a reach, which is why he'd be signed for way below slot if he's the pick at 18 overall, but keep in mind last year Eric Brown was ranked 63rd and they selected him 27th overall. Matthews has also been rising quite a bit since Pipeline's last re-rank.

The uber-athleticism, the speed, the ability to stick at shortstop, and the impact bat potential give Matthews a very high ceiling and if their preferred top crop of college bats are gone by the time they get on the clock, Matthews is sure to be available and could be a cost-saving option to use on other high ceiling picks at 33 or even later.

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