Instant Takeaways: Brewers make shocking first round pick with OF Braylon Payne

Holding the 17th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers decided to blow up everyone's mock drafts and draft boards as they selected Elkins (TX) HS outfielder Braylon Payne. Here are some instant takeaways.

• The Brewers have gone with a prep position player in the first round for the first time since 2018 when they took Brice Turang. Previously they had taken four consecutive college hitters.

• The Brewers drafted one of the top athletes in this year's class. Payne is possibly the fastest runner in the draft, earning a 70 grade on his speed.

• Braylon Payne was ranked 51st on MLB Pipeline's big board and had late helium into the first round but was not a common name among mock drafts as a mid-first round pick.

• The Brewers are taking a big money savings here for their slot pool that they plan to use later on. Payne isn't the biggest upside play, but the contact skills are strong and the speed should make him a possible top of the order threat down the road.

• One of the biggest needs for the Brewers in this draft was to replenish the outfield. Milwaukee hadn't drafted an outfielder in each of the last two drafts and the lower levels of the minors were getting thin following graduations of top prospects recently. Payne helps add some more depth to that group.

• Payne is not a power hitter, but is a definite centerfielder at the next level. His glove is fantastic but his arm strength is just average.

• The upside here isn't incredibly high, but the floor is. Typically high school prospects are high ceiling picks with low floors and a ton of risk. But without the promise of future power, the ceiling is limited. His contact ability and speed though should make him a big league outfielder, and power isn't necessary for everyone in the lineup, but it does limit the upside.

• The money savings here is the important part of this pick. With such a high slot value in the first round, Payne isn't going to command all of that, and the Brewers should save a ton for themselves to use potentially at 34 overall or on other picks tonight.

• Payne is committed to the University of Houston, but it appears he will not be making it to campus.

The next selection for the Brewers is at 34 overall in Competitive Balance Round A.