The Milwaukee Brewers owned the fifth overall selection in the 2016 MLB Draft. They used it to take Louisville outfielder Corey Ray. He’s a center fielder right now with a chance to stick there. From the reports I read scouts are mixed on where his forever home is. However if he has to move to left field, he could be a plus defender there.
No one seems to question his ability to hit though. He has a chance to hit for average and power, with above average speed to compliment everything else. There’s potential for 15 HR and 30 SB with Ray. And the fact that he’s a college player means he’s probably in the 2-4 ETA range rather than the 5+ ETA that comes with a player like Trent Clark, last year’s top selection.
Sometimes people hear college player and think "safe/high floor/low ceiling." I think we’re all a little scarred from the 2011 Draft that saw the Brewers take Taylor Jungmann and Jed Bradley. While Ray does seem safer than a player like LHP Jason Groome, he’s anything but low ceiling. You don't have to take my word for it though.
Corey Ray to the Brewers next, which would mean they get the player I think is the best prospect in the draft. https://t.co/nNxJRYgrWX
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) June 9, 2016
Love the Ray pick for Milwaukee. The Brewers are SO much better at this than they were just a couple years ago.
— Christopher Crawford (@CVCrawfordBP) June 9, 2016
Pleased w/ the Corey Ray pick. Those scouts who love him think he's one of the few in this draft who could be a star. #Brewers
— J.P. Breen (@JP_Breen) June 9, 2016
#Brewers OF Corey Ray is a true power-speed threat. 30 XBH in 56 regular season games (.254 ISO) with 37 SB in 37 tries.
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) June 9, 2016
Heard multiple evaluators say Corey Ray was their top guy in the class.
— David Lee (@David11Lee) June 9, 2016
For some supplemental reading check out these links:
Ray of Light - An in-depth article about Corey Ray from Baseball America
MLB Pipeline Top Draft Prospect List
Minor League Ball Capsule on Ray
ESPN Capsule on Ray (Insider required)