battlekow

I'm having a hard time getting a read on Khris Davis. He's obviously got some power since he led Fullerton in homers, but colby said he had a big arm in right, while Bryan Smith said he didn't have the arm for right. BA says he has a quick bat and plays above his average tools, but colby says he has a long swing and and is a very good athlete with good speed. Someone want to help me out?

Bruce Seid on Scooter Gennett and Del Howell:

Bruce Seid on Brooks Hall and D'Vontrey Richardson:

Brewers, top pick eager to sign deal Tom Haudricourt The stars seem aligned for the Milwaukee Brewers to sign first-round draft pick Eric Arnett quickly. The Brewers want to sign the University of Indiana right-hander as soon as possible. Arnett is eager to begin his professional career. Arnett's agent, Joe Speed, would like to live up to his name. "We have a good working relationship," Brewers scouting director Bruce Seid confirmed. "He wants to get going and we want to sign him. "I think we'll come together soon and have him signed and off to start his career." The Brewers could make an offer to Arnett as early as Thursday. Based on signing bonuses in the 26th spot in the first round in recent years, the money would around $1.3 million. Because of the tough economy and shrinking budgets, offers are expected to go down this year, however. The Brewers probably will offer Arnett about $1.2 million. "All we're looking for is a fair deal for where Eric was picked," said Speed, who also represents Brewers reliever Mitch Stetter. "Eric wants to go out and play, so I don't expect this process to drag out. "I don't have a problem with my guys signing early. We don't need to wait if the deal is fair." Seid said the Brewers planned to "stay within the parameters" of Major League Baseball recommendations for signing bonuses in each round. Area scout Mike Farrell will be involved in the Arnett talks, according to Seid. Because Arnett had a heavy workload at Indiana (12-2, 2.50 earned run average in 109 innings, six complete games), Seid said the Brewers would be cautious in his first professional season. The plan is to send Arnett to the rookie club in Helena, Mont., and closely monitor his innings. "He did pitch a lot this year," Seid said. "Indiana really relied on him. They made it to the (NCAA) regional, and he was a guy who carried them on his shoulders. "In this situation, you want to make sure you take care of all the guys with big workloads."

Well, this sounds promising!

Halton first LC player taken Jay Tust LEWISTON - For the Warriors, Sean Halton was the first Warrior to come off the board, selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 13th round. Then, not to long after that, Tom Peale was picked up by the Florida Marlins in the 23rd round. Assistant head coach Gus Knickrehm said he's excited for both former Warriors. "It's always real nice to get those kind of guys out of here," said Knickrehm. "They work hard all year and I wish them the best of luck." For Halton, the senior led LC this season with 18 homeruns and 71 RBIs, all while hitting .379. Saving his best for last, in just three games at this year's NAIA World Series, Halton went deep three times, driving in 9 runs in the process. One substantial difference though, after playing the outfield for LC this last season, the Brewers selected him as a first baseman. However, his former coach believes he'll make the transition effortlessly. "With Sean's work ethic and how he goes about his everyday work, I don't think it will be a problem," said Knickrehm. "I think that Milwaukee made a great choice by going after Halton and getting him. There going to find a guy who comes in everyday and represents their program, but himself." http://media.klewtv.com/images/061009_SEAN_HALTON_KLEW.jpg

It looks all right, not strikingly weak. The dust clouds sure make him look fast, eh?

Arnett, fans jubilant about Brewers draft Kurt Snyder PATASKALA -- Eric Arnett was confident the Milwaukee Brewers liked what they had seen when he worked out for them Saturday. Arnett, however, could not relax Tuesday until he heard his name. Arnett was drafted 26th overall by the Brewers in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft. In the moments after that, cheers were loud and plentiful from the more than 60 friends and family at Ziggy's Bar and Grill in Pataskala. "I definitely knew that they were interested along with a couple of other teams," Arnett said. "I had a good feeling that if I was available for them it was going to happen." Arnett, a 2006 Watkins Memorial graduate, is the fourth Watkins player selected in the draft and first since infielder Matt Rundels was selected by Montreal in the 13th round in 1992. Arnett, a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher, helped the Warriors to the program's first district and regional titles in 2006, then headed to Indiana University. Arnett had a junior year to remember with the Hoosiers as he rocketed up draft boards with one dominating start after another. "It is an honor to have him be considered, let alone get picked," said Bill Arnett, Eric's father. "I am really blessed and happy for him to be chosen in the first round." Arnett set several school records and earned Big Ten co-pitcher of the year honors for a 12-2 season. He threw seven shutout innings against Purdue in his only start during the Big Ten tournament and was the Hoosiers' starter in their first NCAA regional game, an 8-2 loss to Louisville. Arnett finished the year with a 2.50 ERA and struck out 109 in 108 innings. Opposing hitters batted .212 against him, one of the lowest marks in the country. He was one of five finalists for the College Baseball Foundation's pitcher of the year award and was one of 30 semifinalists for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award. Mock drafts in the previous few days had Arnett going as high as No. 15 to the Cleveland Indians, and the crowd fell silent when Cleveland's pick was announced on MLB Network. Arnett did not hear his name for another hour, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm. "It was such a relief; I was so proud," said Robin Arnett, Eric's mother. "I knew it was something he has been looking forward to forever. ... He has a great fan base. Everybody has been so good and kind to him." The previous Watkins graduates drafted were Stephen Bricker out of high school by the Oakland Athletics in the 26th round in 1978, A.J. Sager from the University of Toledo by the San Diego Padres in the 10th round in 1988 and Rundels. Sager had 12 wins in 123 appearances during parts of five major league seasons. Now the pitching coach for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, Sager often has returned home to lend a helping hand to young players, including Arnett. Now Arnett forever will be mentioned in the same breath as Sager, a former classmate of his mother's. "With everyone that is here, I sure feel like a celebrity, but it is just an honor to be mentioned with all of the things (Sager) has done," Arnett said. "I still have a lot of work to do to catch up to what he has accomplished over his years in baseball." http://cmsimg.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BF&Date=20090610&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=906100350&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0 Eric Arnett, right, gets a hug from his parents, Bill and Robin, after being selected 26th in Tuesday's Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Arnett, who graduated from Watkins Memorial High School, was chosen by the Milwaukee Brewers. (Michael Lehmkuhle, The Advocate)

Maybe Ryan Wood will follow in Adams' steps as a middle infielder-turned-pitcher:

Glassey on Sean Halton in another blog post (also free):

Baseball America's Conor Glassey doesn't sound optimistic that Gennett will sign (free blog post):

Apparently the Brewers talked to Jake Locker about drafting him.

Batts, McKelvie chosen in Major League Baseball draft Chuck Carree Just one other local player was selected - East Columbus High School standout Demetrius McKelvie to Milwaukee in the 25th round. In the spring, McKelvie batted .467 with 10 extra base hits. He slugged .867 and drove in 13 runs and slammed a pair of home runs. "I am real happy,'' he said. "I should have gone a little earlier.'' He already has signed a scholarship with Marshall and was not sure if he would sign a pro contract or join the Thundering Herd. He said the scout contacted him and will make an offer soon. McKelvie returned earlier this week from a workout with the Brewers. "I hit the ball well, and threw well at Miller Park,'' McKelvie said. "I really didn't know if they would take me. Teams don't like to tip their hand.'' Baseball America rated McKelvie, a left-handed hitting outfielder, the 21st best prospect in the state and it included both prep and college players. Ironically, he went in the same round as Charlotte's Richie Shaffer, which Baseball America rated the ninth top prospect in the state. Scouts wrestled with whether to draft McKelvie, questioning if he was ready for the minor leagues. "He definitely looks the part,'' a scout said. "He has raw power and he is an interesting guy. It will be interesting when he goes out and faces good competition. He just needs to play and get at bats for his abilities to get better.'' While most project him as a left fielder, one scout says not so fast. He thinks McKelvie can play both corner outfield spots and first base, but his chief asset is potential at bat.

EDIT: Updated article Brewers pick Jones County's Roberts in 10th round Jonathan Heeter GRAY - Tyler Roberts dreamed of being drafted by the Atlanta Braves. But the Jones County catcher had no problem settling for the team that replaced the Braves in Milwaukee. "I guess it is funny how that worked out," Roberts said. The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Roberts on Wednesday in the 10th round of the major league draft with the 316th overall pick. "It's a dream come true," Roberts said. "I can't really describe the feeling. I have an opportunity to sign with a Major League Baseball team." Roberts said he had significant discussions with the Brewers throughout the draft process. He played for the Brewers' East Coast Showcase team in Florida last summer. The Brewers sent scouts to the Greyhounds' first-round playoff game in May. But during the past two weeks, Milwaukee wasn't one of the teams Roberts heard from. He did have an opportunity to work out June 6 in Milwaukee but passed to work out for the Washington Nationals, who hinted they might draft Roberts in the first four rounds. The Braves and New York Yankees also held workouts for Roberts. By Wednesday morning, Roberts was fielding calls from nearly every team. But as the day wore on, Roberts just wanted to hear his name called. "I couldn't sleep for the last three nights," Roberts said. "It just gets more stressful with every round." Roberts said he expects contract negotiations to continue during the next few weeks. He has signed a scholarship with Meridian (Miss.) Junior College. "I've got options," Roberts said. "If I don't like the fit, I can also go to college." If he signs with the Brewers, Roberts would likely be sent to Helena, Mont., for advanced rookie league ball. "The Brewers do a great job of building through their minor leagues," Roberts said. "Most of their players came up through the organization. That tells me they are committed to building through the minors." Roberts hit .584 as a senior with 13 home runs and 51 RBI. He walked nearly 40 times. "I've been coaching high school baseball for 20 years, and this is by far the best offensive season I've ever seen," Jones County head coach Barry Veal said. "He is such a great hitter and never gets frustrated. He stays patient and produces." http://media.macon.com/smedia/2009/06/09/14/749-929-0609_masp_roberts_551_BC.standalone.prod_affiliate.71.jpg Jones County catcher Tyler Roberts was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. (Beau Cabell/The Telegraph)

Richardson sounds sure to sign, and also like he has the work ethic necessary to translate his very raw tools into baseball skills: The fact that he was moved off quarterback to safety, where he wouldn't have started anyway, couldn't hurt. My fanboy goggles are on for sure, but this pick seems inspired.

This article on Rob Currie getting drafted includes a picture of him exhibiting the inverted-W that so many mechanical analysts abhor: http://www.wbir.com/genthumb.ashx?e=3&h=240&w=320&i=/assetpool/images/090610045943_Currie,Rob.jpg

Baseball America's scouting report on Hall in the draft database indicates that he may also be a tough sign considering the amount of money he wants and his South Carolina commitment.

purely a guess but with an arm like that and how thin we are with starter i think you have to take a shot at developing him as a starter can always move him to the pen later. This would also give him more time to develop his stuff in games.Seid said he was going to start.

I like the Sizemore pick. He's put up .600+ slugging percentages the last couple years and was a third-team All-American.

Meadows only throws in the mid 80s, but he certainly has been good. If he gets lucky, he could be a LOOGY.

Jeffress made BP's Minor League Update today:

Previous Brewers draftees selected today or yesterday: Austin Adams (27th round, 2008) went in the 5th round to Cleveland Ryan Wood (42nd round, 2008) went in the 11th round to Kansas City Alex Koronis (40th round, 2006) went in the 11th round to Tampa Bay Connor Hoehn (21st round, 2007) went in the 12th round to Oakland Chad Bell (25th round, 2007) went in the 14th round to Texas Scott Shuman (23rd round, 2006) went in the 19th round to Tampa Bay Brent Weaver (38th round, 2003) went in the 26th round to Florida Eric Decker (39th round, 2008) went in the 27th round to Minnesota Evan Bronson (36th round, 2008) went in the 29th round to Washington Did I miss anyone?

LaPorta + Brantley + Rob Bryson + Zach Jackson = Sabathia + Kentrail Davis + Max Walla. Shouse = Kyle Heckathorn. Inman + Thatcher + Steve Garrison = Linebrink + Evan Frederickson + Cutter Dykstra. Ben Sheets = nothing.

There goes another Canadian to the Brewers, Chandler McLaren, from a HS in Guelph.

Eric Decker just went in the 27th round to the Twins.