On Day 2 of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers used six of their eight selections on college players. Although they drafted only two prep players, both prospects are well-regarded prospects with high-ceilings.
Find detailed descriptions on the Brewers selections on Day 2 of the MLB Draft here:
KJ Harrison, C/1B, Oregon State (Round 3, Pick 84)
KJ Harrison played mostly first base with Oregon State over the last three seasons, but did play a few games behind the plate this spring. After coming out of the Hawaii high school ranks as a catcher, the Brewers figure to start Harrison behind the plate in pro ball.
He was a skilled college hitter who hit for power and average. He’s not a below-average runner, but could be a steal in the draft if he lives up to his potential as a catcher in professional baseball.
Harrison hit double-digit home runs in his first two seasons with OSU. With the Beavers seasons still going on as the compete in the College World Series, Harrison is hitting .330 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs in 50 games.
Brendan Murphy, LHP, Mundelein HS (Ill.) (Round 4, Pick 114)
A 6-foot-4, 200-pound left-hander, Brendan Murphy is the top draft prospect from Illinois. Murphy has a three-pitch mix, featuring a low-90s fastball, a respectable changeup and a curveball. He needs to tighten up his curveball to make it a more effective offering, as it’s far behind his other two pitches.
Murphy has advanced control and command with a smooth delivery, which he repeats well.
Nick Egnatuk, 3B, Immaculata HS (N.J.) (Round 5, Pick 144)
A prep third baseman, Nick Egnatuk would’ve been selected in the second-round, but he struggled offensively at times this spring, hurting his draft stock.
Read my exclusive feature article on Egnatuk here.
Devin Hairston, SS, Louisville (Round 6, Pick 174)
Devin Hairston is an undersized college middle infielder, standing 5-foot-7 and weighting 170 pound. Known for being a gap-to-gap hitter, Hairston make consistent contact and uses the entire field.
Defensively, he profiles as a light hitting second baseman. He has below-average arm strength and speed.
Bowden Francis, RHP, Chipola College (Round 7, Pick 204)
A 6-foot-5, 235-pound sinker ball pitcher, Bowden Francis played for NJCAA powerhouse Chipola College. A big-bodied righty, Francis has a low three-quarters arm slot and is known for his sinker-slider combination.
He might be destined for a bullpen role in professional baseball and throws his fastball in the mid-90s during brief outings.
Jayson Rose, RHP, Utah (Round 8, Pick 234)
Only 6-foot, Jayson Rose has a three-pitch mix, featuring a fastball, curveball and changeup. He throws his fastball in the low-90s, while his changeup is his best pitch. He profiles as a back-end starter.
Dallas Carroll, 3B, Utah (Round 9, Pick 264)
A redshirt senior third baseman, Dallas Carroll hit .369 with seven home runs, 35 RBIs and a .465 on-base percentage. Carroll had nine errors this season at the hot corner, finishing with a .948 fielding percentage.
Alec Bettinger, RHP, Virginia (Round 10, 294)
Alec Bettinger appeared solely as a reliever with Virginia this spring, after earning spot starts his first three years in college baseball. He went 8-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 71 strikeouts, 31 walks allowed and a .170 opposing batting average in 63 innings.
Find more MLB Draft coverage here.
