Draft: Intriguing arms are among the Brewers’ picks on Day 2,
On the second day of the Major League Baseball draft, the Milwaukee Brewers collected some intriguing pitching arms with considerable potential Tuesday, including a former firstround pick.
In the sixth round, the Brewers selected Oregon State right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who was taken No. 31 overall in 2017 by Tampa Bay but did not sign because of medical issues. Rasmussen had undergone Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery as a sophomore and a post-draft examination raised concerns that resulted in no agreement being reached.
Rasmussen returned to school but did not pitch, undergoing a second elbow procedure by Los Angeles specialist Neal ElAttrache, the same physician who performed shoulder surgeries on the Brewers’ Jimmy Nelson and Stephen Vogt. The Brewers decided to take a chance in the sixth round, where the financial stakes are not as high (the assigned bonus for that pick is $251,000).
“It’s a first-round arm from last year,” Brewers amateur scouting director Tod Johnson said. “We’ll continue to work and look at the medicals as we go through the signing process. We have a lot of confidence in our medical staff to get the kid back. He’s willing to put the work in to rehab. We assessed the risk factor in making the decision.
“The success record on coming back from Tommy John surgery is pretty well known. It’s not 100% guaranteed but it’s a well-known risk factor we could take into account in making that pick. He enjoyed his time at Oregon State. Obviously, it’s been impacted by injuries a couple of times. But he’s ready to get going and play professionally.”
The Brewers picked up an exceptional arm in the fourth round in left-hander Aaron Ashby, nephew of former bigleague pitcher Andy Ashby. Pitching for Crowder College, a junior college in Missouri, he averaged 18.8 strikeouts per nine innings, pitched three no-hitters and whiffed 17 hitters in his final start.
“Ashby had an incredible season,” Johnson said. “He dominated at the junior college level. He’s a fastball/curveball guy from the left side. That’s pretty exciting.”
The Brewers tabbed another big strikeout pitcher in the fifth round, this one from the prep ranks, taking righthander Justin Jarvis of Mooresville, N.C. Jarvis struck out 18 hitters in pitching Oregon State’s Drew Rasmussen was selected in the first round last year, didn't sign because of medical concerns and then underwent another elbow surgery.
a perfect game in his first start of the season and finished with 89 strikeouts in 51 innings.
Tenth-rounder J.T. Hintzen also was a big strikeout pitcher in the Division II ranks at Florida Southern College. Pitching primarily out of the bullpen, the senior averaged 10.61 strikeouts per nine innings while compiling a 14-0 record and 1.77 ERA in leading the Moccasins to a third-place finish in the Division II tournament.
Right-hander Luiz Gonzalez, an eighth-round pick out of PJ Education School in Puerto Rico, is more of a project. At 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, he is slender and raw and considered a “developmental piece,” according to Johnson. Gonzalez participated in a workout at Miller Park and the Brewers liked what he could offer down the road.
The Brewers, who had no thirdround pick, took catcher David Fry of Northwestern State (La.) in the seventh round and centerfielder Arbert Cipion of Passaic (N.J.) Tech in the ninth round. Slowed by injuries earlier in his college career, Fry was the Southland Conference player of the year and has pop in his bat (26 doubles, 12 homers in 2018). Cipion is a speedster who was clocked at 6.64 seconds in the 60-yard dash.
“He can definitely run,” Johnson said. “It’s not a big-time baseball area so he was a little off the radar, probably. But he’s another of the up-the-middle, athletic players we like.”
The draft concludes Wednesday with Rounds 11 through 40.
Round 4
The nephew of former major-league pitcher Andy Ashby (who also attended Crowder) was a strikeout sensation, leading all junior colleges with 156 strikeouts for a ratio of 18.8 per nine innings. He has a fastball in the 91-94 mph range but his killer pitch is a curveball that buckles hitters' knees. He threw three no-hitters this spring for Crowder and whiffed 17 hitters in his last outing. Ashby does have control issues at times (5.2 walks per nine innings) but generates lots of swings and misses. He went 11-2 with a 2.29 ERA last season. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder was a 25th round draft pick by the Texas Rangers out of high school last year. He has a scholarship offer from Tennessee.
Round 5
Jarvis has the ability to add strength to his 6-3, 168-pound frame. He threw a perfect game with 18 strikeouts in his first start of the spring, flashing a low 90s fastball and 11-to-5 curveball that is either very good or a bit lacking, depending on what day you see him. He throws from a three-quarters arm slot and shows a good feel for pitching and ability to throw strikes. He has a scholarship to UNC Wilmington.
Round 6
A fascinating pick by the Brewers, who are taking a big medical risk here. Rasmussen has had not one but two Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgeries, including a procedure after being taken in the first round of the 2017 draft by Tampa Bay but not signing after concerns over his first surgery. So, Rasmussen did not pitch at all this season, leaving the Brewers to go on his talent level when healthy. Rasmussen pitched a perfect game as a freshman and threw regularly in the mid 90s, even reaching 98 mph with a devastating split changeup. He tore the UCL in his elbow as a sophomore and has been unable to stay healthy since.
Round 7
Fry had a big senior season, hitting a school-record 26 doubles to go with a .336 batting average, 12 home runs and 55 RBI. He was the Southland Conference player of the year and the Southland Conference tournament MVP, leading his school to the NCAA regionals. Fry was relegated more to DH and first base duty by injuries earlier in his college career but returned to catching this year, and that's where the Brewers see him as a professional.
Round 8
(155th) RHP Justin Jarvis, Mooresville HS (North Carolina)
(185th) LHP Drew Rasmussen, Oregon State
(245th) RHP Luiz Gonzalez, PJ Education School, Puerto Rico
It was not a big year for draft prospects out of Puerto Rico, in part because of the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The Brewers brought Gonzalez to Miller Park for a workout and liked what they saw, especially from a developmental standpoint. He is relatively raw, with a 6foot-3, 175-pound frame that could use some added strength. Gonzalez will be a long-term project.
Round 9
(275th) CF Arbert Cipion, Passaic County Technical Institute, N.J.
Listed at 6-2,186 pounds, Cipion is an athletic player with great speed, which plays well in center field. He has been clocked at 6.64 seconds in the 60-yard dash. He has also seen action at shortstop and has a scholarship to Southern New Hampshire. Cipion is the third prep centerfielder selected by the Brewers, including Joe Gray in the second round and Micah Bello in Compensation Round B.
Round 10
(305th) RHP J.T. Hintzen, Florida Southern College.
Hintzen dominated hitters at the Division II level, averaging more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings while pitching primarily out of the bullpen. He made some starts in the NCAA Division II tournament, leading his team to a third-place finish. In 32 appearances, he forged a 14-0 record and 1.77 ERA.