2019 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 1-5

[MrTPlush]

Wow, surprising pick for the Cubs. Seems like a huge reach, not much ceiling pick.

 

Maybe they are trying to fix their bullpen quickly! Almost not kidding.

[Eye Black]

So I want the Brewers selection to pan out, obviously. But how much sweeter would it be if the Brewers end up with a game changer one pick after the Cubs select a likely reliever.

[monkeyman343434]

So many intriguing options here, Goss, Allan, Malone great HS arm options, Johnson projectable college arm, Misner super high risk high reward for a college bat, also got Henderson and Hampton as huge toolsy prep bats

[brewerfan82]

Commercial break coming right after they discuss the Cubs pick no doubt.

Ha, close, they probably would have gotten back from the break in time if they had gone to it right away, but they waited just long enough so it'll probably go into the pick.

[JDBrewCrew]

Eric Longenhagen

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@longenhagen

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Ethan Small to Milwaukee

[homer]

MSU pitcher

[JDBrewCrew]

Ethan Small | Rank: 56

School: Mississippi State Year: RS Junior

Position: LHP Age: 22 DOB: 02/14/1997

Bats: L Throws: L Height: 6'3" Weight: 214 lb.

Previously drafted: 2018, 26th (789) - ARI

 

WATCH

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

 

Small reached 96 mph with his fastball as a freshman reliever at Mississippi State in 2016, but he also had trouble finding the strike zone and logged a 13.06 ERA. He blew out his elbow that summer and had Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for all of 2017. He has been a totally different pitcher since he returned and could sneak into the first round this June after turning down the D-backs as a 26th-rounder last year as a redshirt sophomore. The Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year, he entered the NCAA tournament ranked second in strikeouts (150), hit rate (4.8 per nine innings) and WHIP (0.80).

 

While many pitchers see their velocity increase after they complete the grueling rehab process after having their elbow reconstructed, Small doesn't throw as hard as he did in the past but is much more effective. His fastball ranges from 86-92 mph yet generates a lot of swings and misses and weak contact. He creates plane with his 6-foot-3 frame and high-three-quarters arm slot and deception with some crossfire and by varying the tempo of his delivery.

 

Small also demonstrates significantly better feel for his changeup than he had before he got hurt, selling it with fastball arm speed and getting some fade on the mid-70s offering. He has a curveball with similar velocity and good depth, though he rarely uses it in games because he hasn't needed to. His control and command also are much improved since his Tommy John surgery, giving him a high floor and a chance to be a No. 4 starter.

[MrTPlush]

Lame, boring pick.

[monkeyman343434]

wonder if they went the college route due to smaller bonus pool, due to dealing away the Comp pick for Claudio and signing Grandal

[homer]

Lame, boring pick.

 

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Small was Toby's top remaining college lefty

[Jenkins5]

Brewers go underslot (I really hope). Smart considering extreme lack of slot money.

[Eye Black]

Don’t know much about Ethan Small, but those numbers are pretty ridiculous for a pitcher in the SEC.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Hmm, the last part of that scouting report is not promising...

 

"...giving him a high floor and a chance to be a No. 4 starter."

[Yolk]

Boring pick indeed.

[JDBrewCrew]

John Sickels

Verified account

@MinorLeagueBall

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Ethan Small is a very very good pitcher with a funky delivery and terrific stats.

 

Nick J. Faleris

@NickJFaleris

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Really like Ethan Small for Milwaukee. Undervalued on a lot of draft rankings. Fastball/changeup combo is really impressive and the command pulls it all together. Curve works as a complimentary piece at present but can grow into a weapon.

[trwi7]

Small was Toby's top remaining college lefty

 

The college pitching in this draft is crap.

[DHonks]

Remember, the smaller bonus pool also affects how much %-wise we can go over our pool.

 

This pick is interesting. I'd send him to our facility in Arizona to work with trainers like Lawrie has been to make sure his big frame is utilizing all muscles well. Small's strikeout rate is insane for a big conference pitcher.

[Jenkins5]

Brewers have done good job picking effective college arms as of late. Not against pick for that reason. Just pretty boring considering all the really good prep arms out there.

[Never Outhustled]

Lame, boring pick.

 

Out of left field, but fits a mold we have success with. Huge strikeout totals with a dominant pitch. I like it actually.

[MadThinker88]

wonder if they went the college route due to smaller bonus pool, due to dealing away the Comp pick for Claudio and signing Grandal

 

Very possible.. Lets see how they approach the upcoming selections.

If they keep taking safer picks it will be disappointing.

If they instead try to utilize their savings from this selection on their next few picks then they might be able to add some real good talent..

[wallus]

Quick someone tell me why I should be angry.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I'm all for more advanced college pitchers. Brewers have had good luck with those guys of late. Plus in a system with a dearth of lefties, it's nice to get one with a high ceiling.

[OnTheBlack]

wonder if they went the college route due to smaller bonus pool, due to dealing away the Comp pick for Claudio and signing Grandal

 

 

That was kinda what I was thinking. I wonder if they had a framework for a deal in place.

 

All I know is when the Brewers take a guy that everyone seems excited about, it'd been a bit of a bust in recent years, the guys who don't get praised as much by the pundits seem to end up having more success.

[MrTPlush]

wonder if they went the college route due to smaller bonus pool, due to dealing away the Comp pick for Claudio and signing Grandal

 

I doubt it. The bonus pool stuff is majorly overblown. This draft isn’t likely to have anyone exciting that will drop to the 60s to go overslot on. I just don’t see that. They went with their top guy in my opinion. This kid isn’t that much of a reach and unlikely to save much in bonus pool money.