2024 Prospect Previews: Mike Boeve

With their second-round selection, the 54th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Mike Boeve, out of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Boeve was the 64th-ranked player by consensus, and added to a diversity of early demographics that the Brewers targeted in the early rounds of the draft. What can Brewers fans expect from Boeve in 2024? Let’s dig in.

Scouting and Signing
Boeve balances a classic scouting tension, an outstanding performer who hasn’t yet been tested against elite competition. Boeve had an excellent 2023 college season, striking out just nine times in 47 games to go with a .401/.512/.563 line. While the Summit League isn’t highly-regarded competition, Boeve also ran an 83% contact rate during a stint in the Cape Cod League, in addition to excelling in the Northwoods league. 

Boeve has a compact swing from the left side of the plate, a strong ability to cover the strike zone and a discerning approach at the plate. Coming into the draft, Boeve’s stock was limited by the lack of standout tools beyond the outstanding hit tool. He hit 13 home runs in 572 at-bats in three college seasons. Despite a 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, Boeve’s swing doesn’t generate great exit velocities and he tends to produce mostly line drive or ground ball contact.

Defensively, Boeve has an average arm. Despite some improvement in his defensive actions, he’s unlikely to be more than an average third baseman, and may not last defensively at the position.

Boeve signed for a $1.25-million bonus that saved around $250,000 against slot value. Along with other Brewers picks that saved money, Boeve allowed the Brewers to go close to $1 million over slot on Eric Bitonti in the third round, and Cooper Pratt in the sixth.

2023 Performance and 2024 Outlook
As is to be expected from a huge step up in competition, Boeve had an uneven MiLB debut. After a scorching start at Rookie ball (1.000 OPS and 4 HR in his first 9 games), Boeve was transferred to High-A Wisconsin. In a limited sample, he managed a .250/.333/.333 line, with an 11.9% walk rate, and a 22.6% strikeout rate. Boeve maintained his excellent bat-to-ball skills, with a solid 76.1% contact rate at High A. That came with pretty extreme splits in a very limited sample. Boeve had a 90.9% contact rate versus left-handed pitching (with a 2.7% swinging-strike rate on a per-pitch basis), but struggled more versus righties (73.2% contact, 10.4% swinging strikes).

That the adjustment to High A was challenging is unsurprising. Boeve faced significantly tougher pitching than he had to date. Time will tell if Boeve can adjust successfully in 2024, and even tap into more extension and power in his swing. I’d argue that Boeve isn’t a pick you can evaluate on his own. He had a hand in giving the Brewers access to Bitonti and Pratt, and will bring an intriguing hit-first profile to the Timber Rattlers in 2024.

What do you think of the Mike Boeve pick? What are your expectations for 2024? Share your thoughts with a comment below.

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