Brewers Draft: Five 2024 MLB Draft prospects that fit the Brewers mold perfectly

The 2024 MLB Draft is rapidly approaching. The Brewers will have four selections on Day 1 of the three-day Draft and sit in prime position to improve an already strong farm system.

The Brewers hold the 17th, 34th, 57th, and 67th picks on the first night. While this year's draft class is generally regarded as a weak crop, there's a large number of players who fit the typical mold the Brewers target.

When it comes to hitters, the Brewers like athletic, up the middle players generally with hit-over-power characteristics and speed is a massive bonus. They sometimes deviate from that mold like they did with Brock Wilken last year, but they generally prefer safer hitters and that safety is found in college players with above-average bat to ball skills.

When it comes to pitchers, the Brewers love stuff. Pitch traits, spin rates, induced vertical break, velocity, you name it. They have been very analytically-inclined with the pitchers they draft. Athleticism is a big plus for this group as well. Also, the Brewers will walk away with at least one junior college pitcher, that's also one of their types.

So which names fit these molds in the 2024 Draft? Let's look at five draft prospects who have what the Brewers have historically liked and could hear their names called by Milwaukee soon.

1. Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State

Projected right around the middle of the first round, Carson Benge has been a common selection for the Brewers in mock drafts this year. Benge is an experienced college bat that had a tremendous season in 2024 for the Cowboys, hitting .335/.444/.665 with 24 doubles and 18 homers with 10 stolen bases.

Benge's combination of hitting ability and power is extremely enticing. Most players are above-average at only one or the other. His bat-to-ball skills give him a much higher floor and the power potential raises his ceiling. On top of that, Benge is a plus defender in the outfield.

He's also a pitcher, posting a 3.16 ERA in 18 appearances this year. While he could theoretically try to be a two-way player, his future is likely on the grass and will be sent out as a hitter. Pitching would be a nice fallback if hitting doesn't work out, but the way his bat has played, that shouldn't be too much of a concern.

Benge's two-way ability though further shows his incredible athleticism, which is sure to catch the eye of Brewers scouts. An athletic, college bat that makes a ton of contact perfectly fits the Brewers mold and he could very well be available at 17.

2. Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

Sticking with the college bats, Cam Smith had a tremendous 2024 season and his stock is continuing to rise. Smith hit .387/.488/.654 with 24 doubles and 16 homers. He had a nearly even K:BB ratio with 44 walks and 48 strikeouts.

While the Brewers typically prefer up-the-middle players, Matt Arnold has shown a willingness to think outside that box when he picked Brock Wilken last year. The Brewers haven't drafted and developed a third baseman in quite some time, so they may be willing to double down on that position in 2024.

There have been questions about Wilken's ability to stick at third base defensively, but there are no such questions about Smith. He has a plus throwing arm and a solid glove.

The performance that Smith had this year in both the regular season and the NCAA Tournament have dramatically boosted his stock. The concerns about his swing and miss rate from his freshman year have largely gone away and hitting nearly .400 is going to play at any level.

There's going to be a run on college bats in the middle of the first round just like last year. If Smith somehow makes it through that gauntlet and is available to the Brewers at 17, he fits what the Brewers like enough for him to potentially be that selection.

4. William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic (LA) HS

Another data darling on the mound, William Schmidt exhibits all the traits the Brewers love in a pitcher. The only question is if he'll make it to them. He's trending in the direction where he may not even be on the board at 17 overall, let alone 34 overall.

Schmidt, like Doughty, has an elite high spin breaking ball that's north of 3,000 RPMs. But his fastball has a couple of ticks more on it than Doughty, reaching 99 MPH at peak. He has a prototypical size for a starter at 6'4" and has room to grow into it. That kind of projection lends itself well to the Brewers analytical model for pitchers.

Signing the Baton Rouge local away from his LSU commitment may be tough, but it's likely someone is going to be able to do it and the Brewers have a sizable bonus pool.

Schmidt has possibly the best curveball in this Draft class and if his changeup can be brought along, and the Brewers pitching lab likely can do that, then he has a nasty three pitch mix. He hasn't used the changeup much, but he hasn't really had to as he's dominated his prep competition with just the two pitches.

It would be surprising to see the Brewers take Schmidt with the 17th pick, just based on their track record of high floor players in the first round, typically shooting for upside with their later picks. If they can somehow float Schmidt down to 34 and take him there, likely over slot, it would be a dream situation for the scouting department.

5. Jurrangelo Cijntje, SHP, Mississippi State

That's not a typo, SHP, switch handed pitcher. Jurrangelo Cijntje is the most interesting player in the Draft due to his ability to pitch with both his left and right arms. The Brewers pitching lab is just tingling at the thought of adding Cijntje to the organization.

The Brewers actually tried to draft Cijntje before. They took him out of high school in the 18th round in 2022 but were unable to sign him and he made it to campus. They have a history and know this kid well, so we know he fits Milwaukee's mold.

From the left side, Cijntje throws in the low-90s. From the right side, he's in the mid-90s with his fastball. There's a ton of room to grow with his velocity and stuff, but his pure athleticism and velocity from both sides make him someone with a high floor that can thrive in any game situation. There's so much to develop and be excited about here.

For the Bulldogs this year, Cijntje had a 3.67 ERA in 16 starts over 90.2 IP with 113 strikeouts. He proved this year he could make it work pitching with both arms against top competition.

There's nothing more Brewers-like than this kind of pitcher. Of all the pitching projects the Brewers have taken on, this is would be the most fun. He'll likely be available at 17 overall, but it's unlikely he lasts to 34, so if the Brewers want their former 18th round pick, they will likely have to take him in the first round.