2012 Draft Report Cards: Milwaukee Brewers

By John Manuel
October 22, 2012

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See also: Draft Report Card Index

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POSITION PLAYERS

QUICK TAKE

The Brewers focused on bats at the top of the draft and swung for the fences with raw, high-ceiling players in rounds 5-10. Getting an unpolished power arm such as Magnifico to come through would be a boon.

Bonus Spending: $7.2 million

Best Pure Hitter: OF Tyrone Taylor (2) has a line-drive stroke, good bat speed, plus running speed and athleticism, so the Brewers are confident he'll hit for average. Physical C Clint Coulter (1) has advanced plate discipline for a prep, and he has the strength and swing to take advantage. Best Power Hitter: OF Victor Roache (1) missed most of the 2012 season with a wrist injury but led NCAA Division I with 30 homers in 2011. His was the first 30-homer season in D-I since 2002, and he did it with the less lively BBCOR bats. Fastest Runner: A raw all-around player, OF Edgardo Rivera (8) is a burner, turning in consistent 70 times on the 20-80 scouting scale and flashing 80 speed in sprints. Best Defensive Player: Puerto Rican SS Angel Ortega has smooth hands, infield actions and instincts to go with above-average arm strength and range. Taylor and OF Mitch Haniger (1s), who has a well above-average arm, could be premium outfielders.

PITCHERS

Best Fastball: RHP Damien Magnifico (5) hits 100 mph as regularly as anyone in the 2012 draft, but he gets hit because the pitch lacks life and command. RHP Tyler Wagner (4) sits in the mid-90s at times. Best Secondary Pitch: Wagner's slider and RHP Zachary Quintana's (3) curveball are above-average breaking balls. Magnifico made huge progress with his slider in instructional league but must carry that over to games that matter.

Best Pro Debut: Coulter hit .302/.349/.444 and led the Rookie-level Arizona League in OBP. Taylor was dynamic in a short look, batting .387/.432/.667 with 14 extra-base hits and six steals in 18 games before a wrist injury sidelined him. Best Athlete: Taylor was a star running back and free safety as a prep. Rivera has the physique and athleticism to have been a wide receiver had he grown up in the United States. Most Intriguing Background: OF Lance Roenicke's (25) father Ron is Milwaukee's manager. He played in the majors, as did Lance's uncle Gary and cousin Josh. RHP Austin Blaski (21) was MVP of the 2011 Division III World Series and helped Marietta (Ohio) repeat as national champion this spring. Closest To The Majors: Haniger combines all-around tools and polish. His pro debut ended early when he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Best Late-Round Pick: NAIA product 2B Jose Sermo (35) has strength and switch-hitting ability. He may not stay on the dirt but should hit his way into being a prospect. RHP Martin Viramontes (28), a fifth-year senior who was drafted for a third time, throws in the mid-90s but has a history of health problems. The One Who Got Away: Milwaukee thought it could work out a deal with big-bodied RHP Buck Farmer (15), a third-round talent who slid in the draft, but he returned to Georgia Tech.