MLB Draft: Giving A Letter Grade To The Milwaukee Brewers Day 1 Picks

Day one of the 2023 MLB Draft is complete. This year the Milwaukee Brewers had three selections during the first two rounds with picks coming at 18th overall, 33rd, and 54th.

In order, the Brew Crew selected third baseman Brock Wilken, pitcher Josh Knoth, and infielder Mike Boeve. They got a good blend of talent with Wilken being a power hitting college bat, Knoth a prep pitching standout, and Boeve being a contact oriented collegiate bat.

Here we will give each of these selections a letter grade.

Milwaukee Brewers MLB Draft Selection #18: 3B Brock Wilken - Wake Forest

It's rare in baseball that teams draft for a position of need. Oftentimes it's best available on the board and figure the rest out later. This year the Brewers selection of Brock Wilken checks both of those boxes for the farm system is in desperate need of a legitimate third base prospect as well as some power threats.

At Wake Forest Wilken mashed 31 home runs this past season and he posted an absurd .345/.506/.806 slash line. If all pans out he could become a power hitting third baseman for several years to come. It's clear that Milwaukee liked him the best for they also had the option of taking either Brayden Taylor or Yohandy Morales at 18.

Draft Grade: A

Milwaukee Brewers MLB Draft Selection #33: Josh Knoth - Patchogue-Medford HS (NY)

17 year old right-handed pitcher Josh Knoth was scattered across several draft boards prior to the draft. Some had him rated as high as 25th overall and others as low as 98th. Milwaukee's scouts and front office must be very high on him to take him 33rd overall and the 2nd high school pitcher in the entire Draft as they will look to sign him out of his commitment to Ole Miss. By taking him this high, they expect to sign him and perhaps saved some money with Wilken to do it.

On the mound Josh Knoth touches 96 MPH at times. To complement his fastball he has an elite curveball that has a ton of spin on it. Advanced metrics have it reaching 3,100 RPMs. On occasion he throws a changeup, so he will look to improve that third pitch when the Brewers get him into their top of the class pitching lab. This is a fun project for the lab, but he's years away from contributing.

Draft Grade: B+

Milwaukee Brewers MLB Draft Selection #54: Mike Boeve - Nebraska-Omaha

The Brew Crew's last selection on day one more so fits the mold of what they have been doing over the past few drafts. Mike Boeve is a versatile player who can play all over the ball diamond with the corner spots being his preference. At the plate he is contact oriented, but could develop power later on.

During his last season at Nebraska-Omaha Boeve had a batting average of .401 and struck out just nine times in 211 plate appearances. He has great pitch recognition and his ability to put the ball in play is his biggest strength. College infield bats in Ben Williamson and Jake Gelof were selected after him, but Boeve fits the Brewers draft mold.

Draft Grade: B+

Day two of the MLB Draft starts at 2:00 PM ET on Monday, July 10 and will consist of Rounds 3-10. Stay tuned to Reviewing the Brew as we cover all of their selections.