Article: 5 Options for the Brewers with the 34th Pick in the 2024 MLB Draft

[Jamie Cameron]

The Brewers acquired the 34th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft in the Corbin Burnes trade, significantly boosting their bonus pool. Here are some intriguing targets for the Brewers with their second pick in the proceedings.

Image courtesy of © Larry Murphy/Correspondent for Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK

We’re only a couple of weeks out from the 2024 MLB Draft, so we’re going to highlight some potential targets for the Brewers at pick 34th overall that they received from the Orioles in the Corbin Burnes trade.

This is obviously not meant to be a predictive exercise. I think it can be useful in mining the caliber and scope of talent that might be available at that pick. Given the number of picks and the strong financial position the Brewers are in ahead of the draft, I’d expect them to be creative with their bonus pool, as they were in 2023.

Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke (35)
At 6'2", 205 pounds, Jonathan Santucci is one of two collegiate left-handed pitchers (along with Hagen Smith of Arkansas) who profile as possible first-round selections, although durability and inconsistency may have cost Santucci in the second half of the college season.

An excellent athlete, Santucci got some at-bats at DH and in the outfield for Duke, though he won't take on those roles in pro ball. A promising 2022 season was cut short by surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. There's still some projection in the frame for Santucci, with a lean body and fluid, repeatable delivery offering more upside with pro instruction.

Santucci's repertoire is headlined by a plus fastball that has taken a step forward in velocity, sitting 93-95 mph and grabbing 96 mph consistently in 2024. It jumps out of the hand and has good carry, generating plenty of whiffs.

Santucci also features a slider he throws in the low 80s (which often fools hitters, with late break), and a mid-80s changeup that has good fading action (although he needs to develop better command of the pitch).

With a combination of up to three pitches that could develop to be plus, and his excellent athleticism, a healthy, moderately productive 2024 should cement Santucci in first-round consideration.

Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford HS, MS (36)
Carter Johnson is one of the better prep profiles in the 2024 class, thanks to a well-rounded skill set in which everything grades out as average or better. At 6'2", 180 pounds, there's plenty of projectability left in an already strong athletic profile.

At the plate, Johnson has a clean, smooth left-handed swing. Everything looks good; quick hands, consistent bat path, an ability to recognize pitches well. He uses the entire field. At the moment, the hit tool is more advanced than the power tool, but there's plenty of time to add strength and in-game power in what is more of a gap-to-gap approach at present.

Johnson has average speed. Growth and increased strength may eventually move him off shortstop, even though he has the arm, defensive actions, and hands to stay there. While the defensive profile is average to above-average, the bat is exciting, and Johnson is one of the most well-rounded offensive profiles of any prep player in the class.

Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS, CA (40)
Doughty is a prep right-handed pitcher out of California who is one of the biggest risers on the pitching side of the class. While the Oklahoma State commit doesn't have a prototypical starting pitcher's frame, he's a great athlete who moves exceptionally well on the mound behind a compact, efficient, repeatable delivery that points to more projection and a good chance to stick as a starter.

On the bump, Doughty has a fastball that sits 92-94 mph, with solid late life and has grabbed 96-97 mph. It's backed up by one of the best breaking pitches in the prep class, a two-plane slider that has a ton of sharp break. Doughty generates upwards of 3,000 RPM on the pitch, commands it well, and in general, has shown a real propensity to spin the baseball.

Doughty also throws a changeup that's more of an emerging pitch. The combination of athleticism, ability to spin the ball, and two above-average pitches gives him a great chance to continue to start and is getting his name mentioned in the day one mix.

Ryan Johnson, RHP, Dallas Baptist (47)
Johnson is one of the most fascinating pitchers in all of college baseball, and has carried over some impressive results in the tail end of 2023 into 2024. At 6'6", 215 pounds, he's a slender but imposing presence on the mound

Johnson leverages a quick pitching motion with more of a drifting step than a typical windup, and wastes little time between pitches, operating efficiently. He throws from a lower arm slot. It's definitely an unusual look, with some deception. While some evaluators might not love the high-effort delivery, it hasn't impacted his ability to fill up the strike zone.

Johnson has a fastball that's flirted with 100 mph. It sits 93-95, with armside run. The fastball is not a bat-misser, but Johnson has a repertoire that doesn't require it to be. He throws his sweeping slider close to half of the time. It has plenty of lateral movement, late bite, and Johnson commands it extremely well. Johnson also throws a cutter as a bridge pitch between his fastball and slider, and a changeup with good fade but lots of room for improvement.

Johnson had loud performances early in 2024, with 13, 14, and 15 strikeout performances in three of his first six starts. He's a unique pitcher who fills up the zone. There are a ton of interesting traits here for a drafting organization.

Luke Dickerson, SS, Morris Knolls HS, NJ (104)
Dickerson has been a late riser on draft boards this spring, as cold-weather bats often are. There's plenty of room in this draft class for a hitterish profile like his, though, particularly one that has power potential to boot.

Dickerson is a multi-sport athlete (hockey), and has a ton of strength in a fire-hydrant type frame. It's a solid right-handed swing that is producing increased power, and he's shown the ability to drive the ball the other way (in addition to strong control of the strike zone).

Defensively, Dickerson has plus speed, he's played shortstop, and has good actions and hands in the infield. It might not be enough arm to stick at the position long-term, but he should be able to play second base or even center field with his excellent athleticism. Dickerson is a Virginia commit, but has increasing buzz as of mid-June. I'd expect him to take a jump up the board as the industry releases their final round of rankings here in early July.

What player demographics would you like to see the Brewers select from with the 34th overall pick? Add your thoughts with a comment below.

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[LouisEly]

Wyatt Sanford, SS, HS - gives me some Brice Turang vibes

Ben Hess, RHP, Alabama - walks were up a little bit this year, but so were his K's striking out 106 in 68 IP in the SEC.  Showed well in a small sample in the Cape Cod league when he was 19.  Little bit of an injury history.

 

[balsamlaker]

Would Dickerson, at this point, even take 'slot money' at 34 or would he be more expensive than that?

[BallFour]

I believe Doughty is a Brewers Area Code kid.

[CheeseheadInQC]

My guess is a late-rising pitcher who Fangraphs ranks higher than MLB Pipeline. I have no idea who that is yet, but that's my guess based upon the Misiorowski/Knoth picks.

[brewmann04]

Who this year Juco pitcher ?

[balsamlaker]

A number of juco pitchers I could see the Brewers taking as early as round four.  Regarding who the HS pitcher at 34 - probably whoever out of about a half dozen candidates would we willing to take the money (pure guess - Oakie from IA).

[CheeseheadInQC]

The Brewers have, the last two years, taken a late-rising pitcher who Fangraphs was higher on than most draft sites. With Fangraphs’ ranking coming out today, I am guessing Dasan Hill is the pick here.

[wiguy94]

21 hours ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

The Brewers have, the last two years, taken a late-rising pitcher who Fangraphs was higher on than most draft sites. With Fangraphs’ ranking coming out today, I am guessing Dasan Hill is the pick here.

Honestly would fit like a glove.

Misiorowski was ranked 24 by Longenhagen and Knoth was ranked 26 by Longenhagen. Hill is ranked 24th.