First-Rounder Braylon Payne Perfectly Fits Brewers’ Strategy
For three drafts in a row, the Brewers have saved bonus pool money in the first round in order to splurge on players drafted in later rounds.
This year, Milwaukee selected Texas high school outfielder Braylon Payne with the 17th pick and signed him for $3.44 million, or about 24% less than slot value.
It was a similar story for college position players Brock Wilken and Eric Brown Jr. in the last two drafts.
But Payne represents more than pool savings. The 6-foot-2, 186-pound center fielder fits the organization’s template for speedy up-the-middle players.
The 18-year-old signed quickly and reported to the Brewers’ Arizona complex, where he participated in bridge league games.
Payne does not lack for confidence in his abilities.
“I give myself until I’m 20, 21 (years old),” Payne said when asked what he felt a realistic timetable would be to reach the majors. “I feel like that would be a good time period.”
Payne hit .531 with nine doubles, four triples and three home runs while also stealing 32 bases as a senior in 2024. Along the way, he surpassed Matt Carpenter as the all-time hits leader at Elkins High in Missouri City, Texas. James Loney now ranks third.
“I am a true five-tool player,” Payne said. “A kid who has speed. A kid who can hit and has sneaky power. I can track any ball down in the outfield. I’m still working on my arm, trying to get it even better.”
Payne’s confidence also shone through when he was asked what major league players could be held up as comps for him in terms of style of play.
“I like to watch Luis Arraez from the hitting side,” he said. “He understands the fact that he’s not going to go out there and hit 40 home runs. But he can go out there and hit .330, .340 and win a batting title.
“And from the fielding side of things, I like to watch Julio Rodriguez, because he’s just a true athlete out there and likes to have fun with fielding in center field.”
MICROBREWS
— The Brewers drafted New Jersey high school righthanders Bryce Meccage and Chris Levonas with their second- and supplemental second-round picks. They planned to go over slot to sign both away from college commitments.
Meccage signed for $2.5 million, about $1 million over slot.
Levonas did not sign and will attend Wake Forest. He was one of just four players drafted by any team in the top 10 rounds to fail to come to terms. The Brewers receive the 68th pick in the 2025 draft as compensation for not signing Levonas.
— The Brewers promoted 22-year-old righthander Jacob Misiorowski to Triple-A Nashville after posting a 3.50 ERA in 21 starts for Double-A Biloxi. He struck out 105 in 79.2 innings.
Brewers GM Matt Arnold didn’t discount the idea that Misiorowski could potentially debut in the big league bullpen down the stretch, though with the amount of depth Milwaukee has in its relief corps, it would appear as though 2025 is a more realistic target.
