Round 1 (No. 16 overall) – Brett Lawrie, IF/C, Brookswood SS (CAN): The 18-year-old Canadian is already regarded as a legitimate hitter. Minor League Draft Report says of Lawrie, “his best tool is his plus, plus raw power” and “It may take a while, but putting that bat behind the plate could one day make him a premium player.”

With the 28-year-old Vinny Rottino waiting in the wings to take over catching duties, backup Mike Rivera 31 and farmhands Angel Salome and Jonathan Lucroy still awhile away, Lawrie could spell an eventual long term solution to a historically weak-hitting Brewers catcher position. If Lawrie doesn’t pan out at catcher, his bat could bring him to an outfield or corner infield position.

Comp Round A (No. 32 overall) – Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Highland HS (IL): Possibly taking a gamble on the compensatory picked gained in the loss of Fransisco Cordero in free agency, the Brewers drafted Odorizzi – who has committed to play for Louisville. Selecting him this high may allude to the lanky hurler’s signability.

His fastball already touches the mid-90’s, but his curve has been said to effectively hit the low 70’s. Odorizzi’s Draft Report indicates the 18-year-old possesses “four average or above pitches and the overall ability to command them. He’s got a quick, easy arm action and room to grow on his frame.” Interesting that the Brewers forgo a college-age pitcher, but if he signs, he and Jeremy Jeffress (high school pitcher taken in first round of 2006 draft) could be staples in Milwaukee’s starting rotation years down the road.

Comp Round A (No. 35 overall) – Evan Frederickson, LHP, University of San Francisco: Frederickson is a burly 6′6”, 238-pound lefty who transferred to USF from Virginia Tech. In minimal time at Virginia Tech (56.2 innings over two seasons) he managed to strike out 68 hitters, which translates to about 1.2 K’s per inning pitched. This season at USF Frederickson struck out 109 in 75.1 innings of work, while posting a 5-3 record and 4.54 ERA in 15 appearances.

Frederickson was selected by the in the 27th round of the 2005 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins, so it’s not a long shot to assume it’s likely he’ll sign in his final season of eligibility. Based his age and collegiate progression, I’d venture to guess he’s on a faster track to the bigs than Odorizzi is.

Round 2 (No. 53 overall) – Seth Lintz, RHP, Marshall County HS (TN): Lintz has committed to play at Kentucky next season, but should he decide to sign with Milwaukee the Brewers will get a pitcher who struck out 121 over 85 innings and walked only 31 in a senior season that found him going 12-1. Minor League Ball projected Lintz to be drafted in the third round (No. 96 overall) by the Braves.

Round 2 (No. 54 overall) – Cutter Dykstra, CF, Westlake HS (CA): Following in the footsteps of Prince Fielder, Cutter is the son of former big leaguer (Lenny Dykstra) and has been described to have similar athleticism as his father. His Minor League Profile says he has “plus speed and some pop in his bat. He won’t play shortstop as a pro, but profiles better as an offensive-minded second baseman or center-field candidate.”

Round 2 (No. 62 overall) – Thomas “Cody” Adams, RHP, Southern Illinois University Carbondale: The Saluki junior seems less a power pitcher than previous picks, but (indicative in his 3.75 ERA) more a finesse-type hurler who’s able to work deep into games (96 innings scattered over only 14 appearances this season). I’ve never seen the guy pitch, but it seems to me his numbers loosely translate to a Joe Blanton or Jeff Suppan at the Major League level. Should be a safe sign too?

Round 3 (No. 94 overall) – Logan Schafer, CF, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: Schafer obviously made the right move in not signing with the Rockies (who took him with the 1376th pick) in 2007. A 2008 season where he hit .365, knocked in 49 (230 ABs) and lead his team in homers (9) seemed to up his stock considerably. He only swiped 6 bags in 56 games, but started every game and played error free in center and is a left handed bat.

Round 4 (No. 128 overall) – Joshua Romanski, LHP, University of San Diego: A compact 21-year-old, his scouting report says, “There is some debate over Romanski’s value, whether it’s higher on the mound or in the outfield” AND “He might be a bit of a tweener who ends up being a pretty good fourth OF one day.”

Round 5 (No. 158 overall) – Maverick Lasker, RHP, Sandra Day O’Connor HS (AZ): His fastball touches the mid 90’s and his MLB Draft Tracker Scouting Report says he has a ’slurve-type’ pitch. It also projects Lasker to be at least a setup man.

Round 6 (No. 188 overall) – Jose Duran, SS, Texas A&M University: Duran led the Aggies with a .382 average and 102 hits this season. He also had 6 HR, 7 triples, 14 SB and 67 RBI is just 63 games. Duran is the first pick to directly address the club’s apparent need to replenish their middle infield.

—– For a listing of the Brewers’ draft picks from day 2, go HERE.

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