Brewers: What Scouting Reports Say About 1st Round Pick Sal Frelick
By Paul Bretl
Although the Milwaukee Brewers just drafted a centerfielder in the first round of the 2020 draft with the selection of Garrett Mitchell, along with the fact that there were a few shortstops and some college arms on the board when they were on the clock with the 15th overall pick, the selection of outfielder Sal Frelick in Round 1 was a very Brewers-esque type of pick.
For starters, Frelick is an experienced college player, and early on in drafts, David Stearns and Co. have stayed away from high school players. He was also one of the better college bats in this year’s draft; he plays an up-the-middle defensive position, which Milwaukee typically targets, while also bringing athleticism and versatility to this team.
As we’ve seen in recent drafts, at least early on, the Milwaukee Brewers have a type, and the former Boston College outfielder fits that mold well.
Standing 5’9” and weighing 175 pounds, Frelick posted a .359/.443/.559 slash line in 48 games with six home runs, 17 doubles, a pair of triples, 13 stolen bases, and a walk rate of 11.8 percent.
Over his career, he tallied a .945 OPS with a .345 average at the plate, along with 12 home runs and 38 swiped bases. In addition to his time with the Golden Eagles, Frelick also played in the Futures Collegiate Summer League, where he was apart of the North Shore Navigators and posted a 1.046 OPS over two seasons.
Defensively, Frelick was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers as a centerfielder, but he also has experience at shortstop and second base as well.
Entering the draft, Frelick was the 11th rated prospect by MLB.com. For more on his game and what he brings to the Milwaukee Brewers organization, here is what several draft analysts had to say in their pre-draft reports:
Prospects Live
"“Possesses plus bat speed, double-plus foot speed, and the ability to cover tons of ground in centerfield. Disciplined hitter with a short left-handed stroke and a knack for the barrel. Frelick has begun showing a little more pop in-game this year. Archetype is still being established, but some evaluators liken the finished package to a Brian Roberts type of player.”"
RJ Anderson – CBS Sports
"”Frelick has the speed and the instincts to become an above-average center fielder at the pro level (presuming a team doesn’t try to keep him at second base, a position scouts expect to see him play more frequently this spring).”"
Carlos Collazo – Baseball America
"“As a dynamic athlete and plus-plus runner he should find success in the outfield, but teams will want him to prove his defense. It’s much tougher to profile as a corner outfielder at the next level with a 5-foot-9, 175 pound frame.”"
Ian Smith – Prospects 365
"“Frelick is built into a stocky frame that shows plus foot speed and elite instincts in center field. Will be a double digit base stealer at the next level. Compact, left-handed swing can generate surprising raw power due to some of the best in class bat speed.”"
MLB.com
"“Offensively, he has a strong history of making contact and getting on base. He walked more than he struck out in 2019 and ’20 combined and has very impressive bat-to-ball skills along with plus bat speed, pointing to future potential as a plus hitter. He’s deceptively strong with good extra-base ability, and he could eventually get to average power from the left side of the plate.”"