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We began our Milwaukee Brewers' draft coverage earlier this week by reviewing their (to this point) disappointing 2012 MLB Draft. Today, we'll take a look at the 2013 Draft.
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By the All-Star break in 2012, the Brewers looked like a team that was primed to begin rebuilding. Thanks to an excellent run down the stretch, however, the Brewers wound up with an 83-79 record that season and by virtue of their record would have had the 16th overall pick in the 2013 draft. Ultimately though, the club wound up forfeiting that pick when owner Mark Attanasio pushed then-GM Doug Melvin to sign qualifying offer free agent Kyle Lohse in late March of 2013.
Only nine of the 39 first round picks from 2013 have made the major leagues to this point, lead by second overall pick Kris Bryant of the Cubs. Even though Bruce Seid didn't make a selection in the first round that year, the Brewers eventually wound up with 39th overall pick Corey Knebel, who was selected by the Tigers before getting dealt to Texas. The Rangers then shipped him to Milwaukee in January of 2015 as a part of the Yovani Gallardo deal. Knebel was a valuable member of Brewers' the bullpen last year and figures to get plenty of high-leverage opportunities when he returns from injury later this month.
The Brewers have yet to see any of their 2013 draftees make their major league debuts, although they did get some talented players during the draft. With their first selection at #54 overall, they chose prep right hander Devin Williams, who currently ranks as the club's ninth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Williams, who is now 21, has yet to advance beyond low-A Wisconsin but has had promising results thus far and has the chance to have three above-average offerings. Taylor Williams, the club's #21 prospect, was chosen in the fourth round and impressed with his high-octane fastball until undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. It's unlikely he gets back on the mound this year, and he'll be 25 with no experience above high-A ball when he figures to return to the mound in 2017.
Beyond those two, the club picked up several players who look like they'll at least be solid organizational depth. The second second-rounder, Tucker Neuhaus, has previously been ranked as a top 30 prospect and was off to a strong start in Appleton this year before getting injured. Sixth-rounder Garrett Cooper doesn't have the typical power you'd like to see at first base, but he's hit at every level (including AA this season) and should eventually get a look for the rebuilding Brewers. Other notable picks who you've probably seen on the leaderboards during this year's "Down on the Farm Reports" include Josh Uhen (5th round), Omar Garcia (7th round), Brandon Diaz (8th round), Hobbs Johnson (14th round), David Denson (15th round), Clint Terry (18th round), Tristan Archer (21st round), Johnny Davis (22nd round), and Luis Aviles (30th round).
Milwaukee has also already dealt a few of their 2013 picks that have helped bring in players that are currently in the system. Third-rounder Barrett Astin was dealt to Cincinnati as a part of the Jonathan Broxton deal in 2014, who wasn't very good in the Brewers bullpen before he was flipped to St. Louis last July for Malik Collymore. Collymore is currently playing with high-A Brevard County. 12th round pick Trevor Seidenberger was sent to the Padres this past offseason in exchange for Rymer Liriano, who currently ranks as the club's #24 prospect. Liriano has yet to play this year after getting hit in the face with a pitch during spring training and fracturing several bones in his face, however he does still possess intriguing tools and upside that the club hopes he'll tap into when he does in fact return to the field.