MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers have the 15th and 33rd overall picks on Day 1 of this year’s MLB Draft, the 10th-largest spending pool at $10,063,400 and a full head of steam after promising early returns from last year’s picks.
Day 1 of the 2021 Draft will take place live from Denver’s Bellco Theatre on Sunday, featuring the first 36 picks and airing on MLB Network and ESPN at 7 p.m. ET. Day 2, which will span rounds 2-10, begins at 1 p.m. ET on Monday. The Draft will conclude with rounds 11-20 on Tuesday, starting at 12 p.m. ET. MLB.com will simulcast MLB Network’s broadcast and provide live coverage on all three days.
To view when teams pick, the Top 200 Prospects list, mock drafts from analysts Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, scouting video and more, visit MLB.com/Draft. Follow @MLBDraft and @MLBDraftTracker on Twitter to see what Draft hopefuls, clubs and experts are saying and to get each pick as it’s made.
As Draft day approaches, Brewers scouting director Tod Johnson answered some questions from MLB.com:
MLB.com: How has the run up to the Draft been compared to last year during the pandemic?
Johnson: “Yeah, it's certainly been more normal that we've been out seeing games and stuff. But then you've got another dynamic of it not being normal, because normally we would be signing guys and getting them out to play now with the 'normal' Draft timing. So that's created another new dynamic of going longer. Guys are out playing in some summer leagues and doing some other things. We just had the Draft combine. So, certainly it's a more normal season, and then some adjustments to make to handle the fact that it's July 11-13th instead of the normal timing in early June.”
MLB.com: Craig Counsell in the past year and a half has often repeated the mantra, “be flexible.” Does that go for you and your scouts as well?
Johnson: “Oh, absolutely. Our guys now, we have two [Draft] classes going because the '22s have started playing summer league or high school tournaments and showcases. So, we've got guys shifting into that, and then we've got pro coverage we have to do as well. Our scouting staff is split, like, two or three different ways and trying to get to the finish line with the 2021 class.”
MLB.com: Was the combine useful?
Johnson: “I thought it was. I primarily focused on the interview part of that. We also had Frank Neville there and Dr. [William] Raasch there for the medical, and then Bryson Nakamura was there for the strength and conditioning. We had a couple other scouts in as well to do some of the on-field stuff. I thought it was good. I thought the opportunity to get face to face with some of the players, especially the college guys because we don't usually get a lot of that opportunity during the season, was useful. And it was just another opportunity to see where they were physically as well.”
MLB.com: Do you like the later Draft date?
Johnson: “I think the main benefits are related to the College World Series being over with. Typically, we've had guys still playing. We had Ethan Small in 2019 still playing. Gabe Holt was still playing in the World Series. And so, you're always a little on the edge of your seat that they make it through that safely. And it's not fair to them, either, to have to kind of divide their attention between the fact that they've now been drafted and could be signing going out and playing pro ball soon, and then they're also competing at the highest level of the current game that they're in. That would be the main benefit to me of the later Draft.
MLB.com: How vital has it been to have more freedom of movement as your scouts look at players
Johnson: “The ability to talk to them more and get more face to face interaction with kids this year has been huge. That's definitely made a big difference. You just have a better feel for everything. We've still had a lot of Zoom meetings internally, as well as with players. Those are great, because it does give us the opportunity for -- like, myself, I wouldn't normally go out and meet with as many players as I've met with via Zoom this year. So, there's still some of that. But yeah, you get tired of those little boxes.”
MLB.com: Does good early feedback from your 2020 picks help slingshot everyone into ’21?
Johnson: “It's better to see them out and doing well than it would be to see them out struggling. So, we're really excited about that and hoping to continue to see that. I mean, we take every year as a new challenge, though. So, whether that adds momentum, I hope it helps the system as we continue to build the prospect base here. It was great [to see 2020 top pick Garrett Mitchell star in Spring Training]. You know, a testament to him. He was in good shape when he got there, worked hard, made some adjustments that they've been working on with him, and he hit the ground running. It's a testament to how good an athlete he is, and how skilled he is. It's been great to get him out there and see him play every day.”