Thursday, June 5, 2014

Brewers MLB Draft Preview

So, I won't pretend to have scouted any of the talent that might be available for the Brewers tonight when they make their selection at no. 10 in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft. Just for fun though, we'll look at the top five tenth overall selections in MLB history. UPDATE I probably should have actually looked where the Brewers picked (No. 12) instead of recalling from memory. Oh well this post still rules.

1) Ted Simmons, 1967(Career WAR 50.1) - Known more nationally for his time spent with the team the drafted him, the St. Louis Cardinals, Simmons is more well known around these parts as the starting catcher for the 1982 World Series runner-up Milwaukee Brewers. The eight time all-star made his debut in September of 1968, having a cup of coffee that year and the next before coming up for good in 1970.

2) Mark McGwire*, 1984 (62.0) - Everyone knows about Big Mac (emphasis on big), the 12-time all star and brief owner of the single-season home run record*. McGwire paid big divedends right away for the A's, leading the league in home runs en route to winning Rookie of the Year in 1987 (great year). As you might expect, he leads all no. 10 picks in most offensive categories*, but he also drank steroids from a gallon jug every morning so whatever get real.

3) Robin Ventura, 1988(55.9) - Known as much for his glove as for his bat, the six-time Gold Glove winner and current manager of the team the drafted him, the Chicago White Sox, ranks 11th all time among third basemen in slugging percentage.

4) Madison Bumgarner, 2007 (13.3) - Perhaps a bit early for the 24-year-old, but Bumgarner certainly looks like he's on his way to belonging on this list. The young Giant has already established himself as one of the league's premier left handers.

5) Ben Sheets, 1999 (23.4) - One of the best pitchers in the league when he was healthy, Sheets just
couldn't shake free from back, shoulder and inner ear problems that plagued him for his entire career. An all-star in his rookie year of 2001 with the Brewers, Sheets holds the single game and single season strikeout records for the franchise, with 18 and 264 respectively.

Honorable mention: Tim Wallach, Carlos Pena, Tim Lincecum, Eric Chavez


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