Round 1—RHP Eric Arnett, Indiana University
Concerned with the 108 innings thrown with the Hoosiers in the Spring, the Brewers opted to ease Eric into the professional scene. He generally worked in two-to-three inning stints.
With a mid-90s fastball, the 21-year-old posted a 9.20 K/9 strikeout rate with the Helena Brewers.
Control is a bit of an issue, and Eric struggled to adapt to pro ball with a 6.00 and 5.73 ERA in June and July, respectively. The right-hander turned a corner in August, however, and ended the year with a 3.75 FIP—including sub-4.00 ERAs in both August and September.
His control seemingly improved with lengthier outings. Hopefully, his late-year success will catapult him into an elite pitcher for 2010. The "stuff" is there. It simply has to be coupled with control and consistency.
Round 1a—OF Kentrail Davis, University of Tennessee
Kentrail made more headlines with his contract negotiations than with his play, as the Tennessee Volunteer will not make his professional debut until this winter.
Milwaukee hopes he can bounce back from his disappointing sophomore campaign in collegiate ball and realize his 20/20 potential. The speed is already there, but his quick bat and developing power is what makes Kentrail Davis an intriguing player in the first supplemental round.
Round 1a—RHP Kyle Heckathorn, Kennesaw State University
Another tall and projectable righty, Heckathorn is known for his strikeout potential and high-90s gas. He also features a high-80s to low-90s slider (which is actually more of a cutter due to the velocity).
The changeup is a work in progress, which is why many believe Heckathorn could find more success as a closer than as a starting pitcher. His first 16 innings with the Brewers were a bit underwhelming, posting a 7.16 ERA and a disappointing 6.06 K/9 strikeout rate.
Heckathorn did suffer from a .375 BABIP, which inflated his numbers, but the bottom line is that he pounded the zone and did not miss many bats. Look for that to improve in 2010, as his big arm should shine in either Helena or Appleton.
Round 2—OF Maxwell Walla, Albuquerque Academy (HS)
The Maxwell Walla advertised on Draft Day simply did not show up with the Arizona League Brewers. He struck out in more than 44 percent of his plate appearances, and despite a 7.7 percent walk rate (decent for a prepster), he only managed a .283 OBP.
The plus-power also was MIA. He finished the season with only five doubles, two triples, and two home runs. The scary thing is that Max was rather lucky with his .199 average, posting a .343 BABIP.
The prep outfielder is still extremely young and raw, however, so plenty of time remains on his "prospect clock." Still, his 2009 debut was not exactly encouraging.
Round 2—C Cameron Garfield, Murrieta Valley High School
Cameron broke into professional baseball with a bang, going 5-for-5 in his first pro game with the Helena Brewers. After hitting .476 in his first six games, however, his productivity plummeted.
The 18-year old catcher finished the season with a .249 average and a disappointing .301 OBP. He did flash some power, collecting 11 doubles and four home runs, but the .065 average in September epitomizes his struggles down the stretch.
Still a long way to go for the youngster despite flashes of brilliance down with Helena.
Round 3—SS Joshua Prince, Tulane University
Josh Prince impressed the Brewers brass by tearing up Rookie League Helena. He .298 with a .426 OBP and an astounding 26 stolen bases in only 36 games—including a six stolen base game.
He was rewarded with a promotion to Class A Wisconsin, where the going got much tougher. The walk rate stayed above 10 percent, however, as his disappointing .221 average can perhaps be blamed on a low .260 BABIP.
A shortstop with blazing speed and a glove that can stick at short is a commodity. Expect improvement in Class A next season. The Brewers have high hopes for Prince.
Round 4—LHP Brooks Hall, T.L. Hanna (SC) High School
Like Kentrail Davis, Brooks Hall has not yet made his professional debut with the Brewers. The left-hander sits in the low-90s with his fastball and has been clocked as high as 94-95 MPH.
Developing offspeed pitches (slider and changeup) give Hall three average to above-average pitches, which is extremely valuable as a prep pitcher. Milwaukee loves his current repertoire, but his projectability from the left side is why Milwaukee ponied up the cash to land Hall out of high school.
Round 5—OF D'Vontrey Richardson, Florida State University
Richardson signed late in the amateur signing period for well over slot money, which makes him yet another top-tier draft pick that has not seen the playing field in 2009.
Potential is the name of Richardson's game. He did not see much playing time in 2009 with the Florida State Seminoles, but the young man has five-tool potential.
As a rare collegiate work in process, Brewers fans should be patient with D'Vontrey Richardson, despite the lofty price tag.
Round 6—RHP Hiram Burgos, Bethune-Cookman University
Although it may not be obvious by the 5.62 ERA through his first 57-and-two-thirds innings as a professional, Hiram Burgos was one of the most impressive pitchers of the 2009 Draft Class.
The 22-year old began his career with a 7.71 ERA in July. He followed it up, however, with a 2.91 ERA in August and a stellar 0.87 ERA in September.
His strikeout rate was a solid 8.27 K/9, while displaying plus-control with a 2.18 BB/9 walk rate. His questionable stuff may ultimately limit his potential, as he only throws in the high-80s and does not have much of an offspeed repertoire at the moment, but his 3.72 FIP suggests Hiram Burgos could enjoy much more success in 2010.
Round 7—OF Khristopher Davis, University of California State Fullerton
Khris is a typical 21-year-old corner outfield slugger. He missed much of the summer on the trainer's table due to injury, but eventually worked his way back and compiled a .270 ISO power—which is well above average (average being .200).
Again, consistent with a collegiate slugger in Rookie ball, the walk rate was above-average at 14 percent, but Khris also struck out almost 30 percent of his plate appearances. His defense will limit him to left field, so his bat must come as advertised in 2010.
Round 8—OF Chadwin Stang, Midland College
Yet another amateur drafted out of Canada, Chad struggled in his first half-season as a professional. He posted a .240 average and needed a .333 BABIP to reach it.
The power/speed combo in center never really developed. His ISO power was a mere .094, with only five doubles, four triples, and one home run in almost 200 plate appearances.
At only 180 lbs, however, Chad has room to grow into his 6'2" frame a bit more, so the gap power could be hanging just over the horizon.
The 20-year old also came advertised as a solid center fielder. That is yet to be determined, but his six errors and .944 fielding percentage is certainly underwhelming.
Round 9—LHP Jonathan Pokorny, Kent State University
It is unclear whether the Milwaukee Brewers view Jonathan Pokorny as a starter or a reliever. His workload has varied between one inning and three inning stints, posting a nice 3.62 ERA and 3.63 FIP. His 88-90 MPH fastball, average slider, and improving changeup managed to strike out over a batter per inning.
Control did not seem to be an issue, either. Only throwing 41 innings as a reliever/closer for Kent State in the spring, his arm is relatively fresh and carries little injury risk.
Brewerfan.net compares him to Steve Hammond, which seems to be a fine comparison.
Round 10—C Tyler Roberts, Jones County High School
Tyler did not play much for the Helena Brewers, but compiled solid numbers in only 72 at-bats. The .292 average was propped up by a .385 BABIP, and his nice approach at the plate garnered him a 15.3 percent walk rate.
He remains raw at the dish, however, so expect the numbers to dip to the .260-.270 mark next season with average power, at best.
Defensively, Tyler grades out beautifully. His bat is the question mark, though it has ample time to develop in the minors. He is only 18 years old, after all.
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