Milwaukee Brewers: What Draft Analysts Said About SS Freddy Zamora

With the Milwaukee Brewers’ second-round pick, they selected SS Freddy Zamora from Miami. Here are what a few draft analysts have to say about his game.

In Round 2 of the 2020 MLB Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers held the 53rd pick and in what had been a trend throughout the draft up to this point, the Brewers would catch many off guard with the selection of shortstop Freddy Zamora from Miami.

Prior to the 2020 NCAA Baseball season, some scouts and draft analysts considered Zamora a top-10 pick in this year’s draft if he was able to build off of his 2018 and 2019 seasons. During those two years, Zamora proved to be productive as he would slash .300/.391/.429 over 410 at-bats along with 74 RBIs and seven home runs.

Zamora is known as an excellent defender, perhaps the best defensive shortstop in this draft class, and his bat has continued to improve as well. Although he is still lacking power. Below are MLB.com’s scouting grades on Zamora:

Hit: 50 / Run: 50 / Field: 55 / Power: 40 / Arm: 60 / Overall: 45

Unfortunately, back in February, Zamora ran into some issues both on and off the field. The team would end up suspending him for violating team rules and just a few days later, an on the field collision in practice would leave Zamora with a torn ACL and a partially torn LCL.

One of those issues, let alone both, are enough for some teams to stay away. Especially in the second round. However, the Milwaukee Brewers are banking on the uber-talented, high-ceiling prospect who could have been a top-10 pick if healthy.

As far as when we will see Zamora on the field, he expects that he will be fully recovered from his injury by early winter but he told reporters that he is back to working out (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel):

"“I’m feeling pretty good right now,” he said. “I’m three months post-op now. I’m starting my running, progressing to running on the field. I’m starting to do my running on the machine. I’ve been loading my leg, single-leg exercises.”"

Zamora would then go on to say:

"“I’ve basically been doing all the workouts that I was doing before, just at a lighter weight now. Now it’s just focusing on getting that strength back and getting the full strength back.”"

As the 53rd pick in the draft, Zamora is slotted to make $1.37 million. And while there are some valid concerns, the MLB Draft is all about taking the best player available, and it’s hard to argue that the Brewers didn’t do that with this selection in Round 2. Zamora brings a wealth of potential to the table.

Now for a closer look at Zamora’s game, here is what a few draft analysts had to say in their final scouting reports prior to the draft:

MLB.com

"“He can be a plus defender at times, with a lot of body control, range and wing span at his disposal to go along with an easily plus arm. He’s made strides at the plate to make him a more well-rounded player.”"

Carlos Collazo – Baseball America

"“Zamora has the tools to be an impact defender at shortstop, though he showed a tendency to get a bit lazy on routine plays. If he cleaned those up, Zamora would have easy plus potential with the glove, with impressive hands, solid range and a reliable throwing arm.”"

Athlon Sports

"“Zamora shows more offensive potential but has more work to do to prove that he won’t eventually need to slide to second base as a pro.”"