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The Milwaukee Brewers made three selections on the first day of the 2023 MLB Draft. Here's a look at who they picked.
18th Overall: Third Baseman Brock Wilken, Wake Forest
Over the past three drafts the Brew Crew have selected college bats with their first round selection. This year that trend continued again as they selected third baseman Brock Wilken out of Wake Forest.
Brock Wilken is not only a legitimate third base prospect, but he fills a need in the Brewers farm system. He fits the stereotypical mold of a MLB third baseman for he possesses a ton of power and a strong throwing arm.
In 66 games this year he belted 31 home runs for Wake Forest. A year prior he hit 23 and during his freshman season 17. 2023 was his best season in which he posted an absurd .345/.506/.806/1.313 slash line with 31 home runs, 15 doubles, 82 RBI, and an 18 percent strikeout rate.
When looking at his advanced statistics in 2023 he posted an 187 wRC+, barrel percentage of 33, and chased just 11.1 percent of pitches. His exit velocity numbers are also very good and during the 2021 season he had a ball that left the bat at 120.6 MPH.
33rd Overall: Right-handed Pitcher Josh Knoth, Patchogue-Medford High School (New York)
With their second selection on day one the Brewers went under slot by selecting 17 year old right-handed pitcher Josh Knoth 33rd overall.
Josh Knoth, a Patchogue-Medford HS (NY) product, is committed to Ole Miss University. His High School also produced All-Star Marcus Stroman. With being selected this high in the draft the Brewers will attempt to pry him away from the college route and have him go pro. He’s one of the youngest players in the draft and turns 18 in August.
On the mound Knoth has a fastball that hits 96 MPH. His go to off speed pitch is a nasty curveball that has elite spin. The spin rate on his curveball is said to be in the 3,100 RPM range. At times he will throw a change up, but throughout High School ball he relied heavily on a fastball/curveball combo. Some scouts have compared his delivery to Lance McCullers.
54th Overall: Infielder Mike Boeve, Nebraska-Omaha
To round out their day one selections, the Brew Crew picked a contact-oriented infielder in Mike Boeve at 54th overall.
Mike Boeve, a right-handed thrower but left-handed batter, is a versatile defender. The vast majority of his games have been played at the corners. At that plate he is contact oriented, he is not super fast. and his power projects out as below average. To some degree a Tyler Black comparison holds true with Boeve not possessing as much speed.
Contact is the name of Mike Boeve game. Over 211 plate appearances last season he struck out just nine times. His slash line was a ridiculous .401/.512/.563/1.075 with four home runs and 32 RBI. He did swipe six bases, but overall picking up base hits and putting the ball in play are his biggest strengths.
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Brock Wilken
Josh Knoth
Mike Boeve