PHILADELPHIA -- Taylor Jungmann and Jed Bradley were supposed to be relatively safe picks when the Brewers selected them in the top half of the first round of the 2011 Draft. Both were large-framed pitchers from major college programs, Jungmann from Texas and Bradley from Georgia Tech. Both appeared positioned to advance quickly through a prospect pool that leaned decidedly toward hitters.
Five years later, while Jungmann struggles to regain a foothold in the Minors, Bradley is moving on. The Brewers traded Bradley to the Braves organization on Friday for a player to be named later or cash.
Bradley, who turns 26 on June 12 and has been pitching primarily in relief over the past two years, owns a 4.78 ERA in five Minor League seasons, including a 6.20 ERA in 17 games for Double-A Biloxi this year. He wasn't on Milwaukee's 40-man roster.
"We had some tough pitching decisions to make due to our depth," Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan said. "We're disappointed that it didn't work out for Jed with the Brewers, but this is a good opportunity for him. He can get a fresh start with the Braves and hopefully he can make the most of it."
Jungmann, meanwhile, is with Triple-A Colorado Springs after an unsuccessful start to his season in the Major Leagues. Milwaukee demoted him on April 29 after he went 0-4 with a 9.15 ERA. Jungmann is 1-2 with a 10.41 ERA since the move, though his most recent start was better -- a five-inning outing on Sunday in which he allowed three hits and one earned run.
The first round of the 2011 Draft produced some top talent, including players drafted ahead of the Brewers (Gerrit Cole, George Springer, Anthony Rendon, Francisco Lindor) and behind them (Jose Fernandez, Sonny Gray, Jackie Bradley Jr.). The Brewers have taken particular heat for passing on Fernandez, who went to the Marlins two spots after Jungmann and one ahead of Bradley, but Milwaukee officials have said over the years that they received signals from the Fernandez camp that he would go to college if the Brewers drafted him.
As for Gray, the Brewers and other clubs that let him fall to 18th overall had concerns about his 5-foot-11 frame, and whether he would prove to be a Major League starter or reliever. He made it as a starter, of course, finishing third in American League Cy Young Award balloting last season, his third with the A's. Gray is currently rehabbing a strained muscle in his upper back.
Later rounds of the 2011 Draft did net Milwaukee its top pitching prospect, Jorge Lopez (second round), and current Brewers relievers David Goforth (seventh round) and Jacob Barnes (14th round), as well as outfield prospect Michael Reed (fifth round).