Brewers Add Tantalizing Trio of Pitchers To Finish Day 1 of MLB Draft

Brewers select J.D. Thompson, LHP, Vanderbilt

The Brewers are known for developing big league pitching and the Vanderbilt Commodores have a similar reputation for pitching at the college ranks. They've been a powerhouse for years. Thompson didn't put up the gaudiest numbers with his ERA at 4.00, but he did strike out 122 batters in 90 IP this season.

Thompson ranked 66th on MLB Pipeline and 61st on Baseball America. He's a more polished arm with a frame that's mostly filled out and good command. His pitch metrics do stand out, as they usually do for Brewers picks, with elite induced vertical break numbers. Even though his fastball doesn't have big velocity, sitting low 90s and reaching mid-90s, he generates a ton of swing and miss.

It's a four pitch mix for Thompson and he should be a solid rotation arm. The changeup is his best secondary. He doesn't have ace upside, but the Brewers will find a way to maximize his ability. He has the traits they feel they can develop.

Thompson is likely going to sign at slot value or maybe even a little below as a college arm. He's a safer pitching selection ahead of the high risk pitching pick...

Brewers select Frank Cairone, LHP, Delsea Regional (NJ) HS

The Brewers got the 68th overall pick this year because they were not able to sign New Jersey prep pitcher Chris Levonas in last year's Draft. So what did they do with their compensation pick? They drafted another New Jersey prep pitcher with lefty Frank Cairone.

Cairone is committed to Coastal Carolina and has the elite pitch metrics the Brewers absolutely love to target. Cairone's spin rates routinely reach 3,000 RPM and he's so good at it, he's been dubbed the "spin king" by evaluators.

It's easy projection here with Cairone phsyically. His changeup will need some work, but the fastball-slider combination is elite. To stick as a starter, he'll need that third pitch. The Brewers have the ability to help him develop it.

This is the type of high upside play the Brewers like to make in these later rounds on Day 1. They'll likely have to go over-slot here to sign Cairone away from his Coastal Carolina commitment. Hopefully for the Brewers sake, signing Cairone will go much easier than trying to sign Levonas went last year.

Brewers select Jacob Morrison, RHP, Coastal Carolina

The Brewers go back to the Coastal Carolina well. After taking one of their top high school recruits, now the Crew selects one of their best arms from this year's CWS Finals team in Jacob Morrison.

Milwaukee loves size with their pitchers and Morrison has size to spare. Standing at 6-foot-8 and 245 pounds, Morrison is an intimidating presence on the mound.

Morrison had Tommy John surgery already, missing the entire 2024 season. He has a high floor as a starting pitcher with a four pitch mix. He has the frame to hold up as a starter and command is not really a concern. He had just a 5.4% BB rate this season.

Morrison had a 2.42 ERA in 107.2 IP with 104 Ks and just 23 BBs. He gets a lot of extension down the mound with his big frame that allows his fastball to play up despite being mostly low-mid 90s.

The Brewers started their draft with a pair of hitters, and they finish the first night with three pitchers. Day 2 of the Draft is Monday with rounds 4-20.