Brewers 2021 MLB Mock Draft Roundup 2.0: Wicks & Bednar Lead the Way
By Paul Bretl
The 2021 MLB Draft is now just a few days away as it will begin this Sunday and run through Tuesday. While this year’s draft still won’t be the typical 40 rounds that we’ve seen in the past, it will be 20, which is still up from the five we saw last year.
As I noted in the first mock draft roundup from a little over a week ago, when it comes to what positions the Milwaukee Brewers will pursue, adding pitching is never a bad idea. Adding to the organizational depth at the corner infield positions is another need likely on the radar of many fans as well. However, it’s worth mentioning that this is a Brewers team that usually spends draft capital on up-the-middle position players–catcher, pitcher, second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder.
While finding a long-term answer at third base is a need right now, given how long it can take a prospect to reach the big leagues, we don’t know if that’s going to be a need in four or five years. Taking the best player available is talked about often during the NFL Draft, but positional need plays a big factor as well. Baseball, on the other hand, is very much about taking the best player available, increasing your chances of finding a future big-league player.
With the Milwaukee Brewers’ strategy of taking athletic second basemen, shortstops, and centerfielders, they can reposition them to the corner infield and outfield positions as needed when they come up through the minors. Thus helping to alleviate the feeling that they have to address one of the corner positions.
So for the final time before the draft takes place, let’s take a look at who a few draft analysts have the Milwaukee Brewers selecting with the 15th pick in the first round.
Edward Suteland – Sporting News
Will Bednar, RHP, Mississippi State
"“Bednar did his draft stock plenty of good by helping propel the Bulldogs to a College World Series win. The Brewers have been linked to other college talents like Cowser, Frelick, Kansas State lefty Jordan Wicks and Miami (Ohio) right-hander Sam Bachman, but here they’re grabbing the fast-rising Bednar, who offers them a polished right-hander with an explosive repertoire with three plus or better pitches.”"
Will Bednar, RHP, Mississippi State
"“Bednar all but sealed his first round status with an incredible College World Series. He’s been mentioned as high as the Top 10, though he likely doesn’t make it much further than this. The Brewers have been connected to an assembly of arms with this pick, but Bednar’s ascent becomes to much to pass up.”"
Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State
"“Like San Francisco, Milwaukee is believed to be lining up the second tier of college arms. This could be the floor for Hoglund. If their board gets blown up by a run on college pitching, then they might cut a deep deal with a college bat like ECU’s Connor Norby or Trey Sweeney of Eastern Illinois. Sweeney’s name is getting peppered throughout the rest of the first round starting here.”"
Kiley McDaniel – ESPN ($$)
Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State
"“Wicks has some similarities with Ethan Small, a recent Brewers first round pick. This is also a pretty open mix, with Hoglund, Will Bednar, Jay Allen, Madden, Harry Ford and Cowser all mentioned.”"
Justin Leger – NBC Sports
Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State
"“Rumor has it the Brewers are looking at college arms, so in this spot they should look no further than Wicks. The southpaw’s repertoire includes a nasty changeup that keeps hitters off balance, as evidenced by his 118 strikeouts in 92 1/3 innings this past spring.”"
Tab Bamford – Elite Sports Network
Sal Frelick , OF, Boston College
"“The top college outfielder in this year’s draft, Frelick has been mocked in the top ten overall and as low as the early 20s. Milwaukee has a need for outfield bats and this would be good value for the Brewers.”"