Milwaukee Brewers 2023 MLB Draft Review
See Also: 2023 MLB Draft Database
Draft Theme: Big Hitters & Pitchers With Spin.
The Brewers drafted a few different offensive profiles early in 2023 and have power-first bats like 3B Brock Wilken and SS Eric Bitonti as well as hit-first players like 3B Mike Boeve and SS Cooper Pratt. All of those hitters are large and physical, however, and none of them are listed below 6-foot-3, with Wilken checking in at 6-foot-4 and both Bitonti and Pratt listed at 6-foot-5. Additionally, the aligning trait for all of the pitchers Milwaukee drafted seems to be excellent feel to spin the baseball, starting with RHP Josh Knoth in the supplemental first round and going all the way down to RHP Craig Yoho in the eighth.
Most Interesting Day 2 Pick: SS Cooper Pratt, 6th round
Pratt pushed himself up draft boards thanks to an excellent 2022 fall, where he hit 5-for-13 (.385) at Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. With that showing, he cemented himself as having one of the best batting eyes in the class, and also offers a well-rounded skill set and projectable, 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame. Pratt’s profile starts with his contact ability and batting eye. Over a 668-pitch sample, Pratt has just a 12% overall miss rate and 17% chase rate. He consistently makes good swing decisions and he almost never misses on pitches in the zone, where his miss rate falls to just 6%. Pratt has a loose, crouched setup at the plate with good rhythm and a clean righthanded swing that starts with a medium leg kick. He has solid raw power that is accessed mostly to the pull side now, but his frame suggests a lot more strength and power could be coming in the future. Pratt moves well for his size and has turned in solid-average run times, with a good first step in the infield. His defensive actions are solid and he has a chance to stick at shortstop, but his size and the length of his actions make third base seem a more likely future home—where his plus arm strength will be an asset. Pratt will turn 19 a month after the draft and is a strong Mississippi commit.
Most Interesting Day 3 Pick: RHP Jacob Gholston, 17th round
Gholston was not a prominent prep name during the 2022 summer showcase circuit, but he popped up during the 2023 spring in Texas thanks to a fantastic frame, multi-sport background and lively fastball. Gholston is listed at 6-foot-6, 202 pounds and has a quick delivery and compact, fast arm on the mound. He pitches in the 87-91 mph range and has touched 92-93, but the fastball has impressive late arm-side running life. His secondaries need more refinement and polish, but he has shown an ability to spin a slider in the upper 70s that could become above-average with more power, and he has some feel for a low-80s changeup as well. Gholston missed time late in the season with an injury, but he has advanced strike-throwing ability and both the stuff and frame that teams like to dream on. He is committed to Oklahoma but could have interest on the second day of the draft if he’s signable.
