The Milwaukee Brewers selected shortstop Brice Turang from Santiago (CA) High School with their first pick (21st overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Johnson.
Turang, 18, batted .352 with 5 HR, 21 RBI and a .464 OBP during his senior season. The left-handed hitter was scouted by Area Scout Wynn Pelzer and Regional Supervisor Josh Belovsky. He is committed to play at Louisiana State University.
His father, Brian, was originally drafted by the Brewers in the 20th round of the 1987 Draft, but did not sign. He was then selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 51st round of the 1989 Draft and went on to play parts of two seasons with the Major League team.
The franchise has picked 21st overall only once prior to this year. The Seattle Pilots selected Gorman Thomas from James Island High School in Charleston, South Carolina with the 21st pick in the 1969 Draft. The starting center fielder of the 1982 American League champion Brewers spent parts of 11 seasons with the team and hit .230 with 208 HR and 605 RBI.
The Brewers have two more draft picks tonight, coming in the second round (#60) and the competitive balance round B (#73). The draft, which is comprised of 40 rounds, will continue on Tuesday at noon CT for rounds 3-10, and will conclude on Wednesday for rounds 11-40 beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT.