Brewers: 5 MLB Draft Prospects That Fit The Brewers Mold Perfectly

The 2023 MLB Draft is just about here and the Milwaukee Brewers are set to add some exciting new talent to the organization. The talent they've added in recent drafts all share a lot of similar characteristics, especially in the early rounds.

We've taken an in-depth look at what the Brewers tend to like in both their hitting prospects and pitching prospects on this site already. But how do those things equate to names and prospects in this year's draft class?

There's a whole bunch of names and scouting reports out there in Draft classes that most people know very little about unless they watch a lot of college baseball. That's why we're here to help you out with putting names to the tools and tendencies the Brewers exhibit in the Draft.

Here are five 2023 MLB Draft prospects that fit the Brewers mold perfectly in the early rounds.

Draft Prospect That Fits The Brewers #1: Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland

In the last three Drafts, the Brewers have selected an up-the-middle college hitter, two outfielders and one shortstop. Based on the way the Draft sets up this year, the college bats that are going to be available to them are largely infielders, meaning shortstops.

Yes, there are some third basemen that will also be available, but historically the Brewers haven't targeted corner infielders in the first round, choosing up the middle players instead, shortstops and second basemen.

Maryland's Matt Shaw is one of those up the middle infielders that will potentially be available to the Crew at 18 overall. He has an above-average hit tool, which is what the Brewers target in their first round picks, Not only that, he has above-average power as well. To make things even better, he has plus speed, too. That kind of combination of tools at the shortstop position is hard to find and it's the exact kind of toolkit that the Brewers love.

The Brewers love athleticism and his blend of speed, hitting ability, power, and ability to stick up the middle makes him one of the top players on the Brewers board, if he's indeed still on the board at 18 overall.

Shaw walks more than he strikes out, which is a characteristic the Brewers have historically targeted. This year for the Terrapins, Shaw hit .341/.445/.697 with 20 doubles, 24 homers, 43 walks, 42 strikeouts, and 18 stolen bases.

He hits for average, has plenty of pop, has plenty of speed, and can play up the middle. Matt Shaw fits the Brewers draft mold perfectly.

Draft Prospect That Fits The Brewers #2: Jack Hurley, OF, Virginia Tech

Jack Hurley could potentially be a 5 tool player at full development, and end up as the steal of the Draft. We could look back in a few years and wonder why Hurley was drafted so late.

Mock drafts and rankings project Hurley going in the CB-A round-early Round 2 range. It would likely be a bit early for the Brewers to select Hurley with the 18th overall pick, but he would make a lot of sense as the selection with the 33rd overall pick, which is in the CB-A round.

Hurley only spent this season in centerfield, playing in the corners his first few years in college because Gavin Cross, last year's 10th overall pick, was locking down center. But Hurley has the speed, glove, and athleticism to stick in centerfield going forward, which is very important to the Brewers.

Not only does Hurley have blazing speed, he's a high quality left handed hitter. The Brewers have proven to be quite partial to left handed hitting outfielders in recent years. His above-average hit tool gets him on base quite a bit, hitting a solid .320 for the Hokies this season. Some of Hurley's numbers were down from his sophomore campaign, which may explain his fall down the boards a bit, but there's still plenty to like in his bat. Even in his "down" year, he still had a 1.127 OPS

Hurley should be able to hit for both average and power, with plus speed and excellent defense in centerfield. Does that sound like a lot of recent Brewers draft picks to you? It certainly does to me.

Draft Prospect That Fits The Brewers #3: Colt Emerson, SS, Glenn (OH) HS

While Colt Emerson is a high school prospect, which isn't normally a characteristic the Brewers target if a college player they like is on the board, he does a lot of things the Brewers tend to like.

Emerson is one of the elite high school bats in this entire draft class, with a sweet left-handed swing that punishes baseballs. The Auburn commit has burgeoning power and can stick up the middle defensively. His hit tool is graded as 'plus'.

The Brewers have historically liked multi-sport athletes. Sal Frelick stood out to them because he was a three sport athlete. Colt Emerson was an All-State wide receiver last year for his high school, which makes his profile even more attractive to Milwaukee.

Emerson doesn't chase, he draws his walks, and is able to square up the ball in every corner of the strike zone. There's no cold spot in the zone for pitchers to exploit against him. He doesn't struggle against breaking balls either.

The range for Emerson goes from late in the first round through the early second round. Taking him at 18 overall might be a bit early, but there's a chance for a possible underslot deal if the Brewers want to make sure they grab him. Otherwise, he could potentially still be on the board long enough to be there at 33 overall. There's risk in hoping he'll fall that far, and he'd likely then be overslot at 33.

The bat and the athleticism fits the Brewers draft mold perfectly and he could convince the Brewers to go with a prep player on Day 1 of the Draft for the first time since 2018.

Draft Prospect That Fits The Brewers #4: Cole Carrigg, C/SS/OF, San Diego State

The first time I read the scouting report on Cole Carrigg, I was convinced he's going to become a Brewer. He can play all three premium, up the middle positions, he's a switch hitter, and has a cannon for an arm.

Just read this line from MLB Pipeline's write-up on Carrigg:

Carrigg is a particularly intriguing prospect due to his athleticism and defensive flexibility to go along with his feel to hit.

Check, check, and check. That's three big boxes checked for the Brewers on Carrigg in just one sentence. They love elite athletes who can play premium, up the middle positions and he can play all three exceptionally well. Carrigg has plus speed, which you don't see often from guys who catch.

Carrigg showcased his arm with 100 MPH throws from the outfield and shortstop at the Draft Combine. Behind the plate, he posted a 1.9 second pop time. That's also elite.

At the plate, Carrigg makes a ton of contact, which cuts into his walk rates, but he also doesn't strike out much either. He won't do a lot of damage when it comes to home run power, but just the ability to put the ball in play like he does is something the Brewers have been targeting in the Draft. He'll have to improve his hard contact rate as a pro, but his natural feel for making contact should make it easier for the Brewers to help him hit the ball harder.

A player like Carrigg would be Craig Counsell's dream come true. He can play anywhere on the diamond and hit from both sides of the plate, making him the perfect guy to match up against any opposing pitcher.

Carrigg could go as early as the CB-A round, but a down spring for SDSU could push him into the 2nd round or even early Day 2 of the Draft.