What to Know: Brewers Select SS Eric Brown with 1st Round Pick

With their first pick in the 20222 MLB Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers selected shortstop Eric Brown from Coastal Carolina University with the 27th overall selection.

Prior to this draft, I put together several editions of my Mock Draft Roundup, and Brown was never a name that I came across going to the Brewers. However, he very much fits the mold of their past selections as an experienced college bat who plays an up-the-middle defensive position.

What you need to know about the Milwaukee Brewers’ first-round pick Eric Brown.

Brown’s college career with the Chanticleers spanned three seasons, although the bulk of his playing time came over those final two years. In his 570 career plate appearances, Brown slashed .306/.431/.501–totaling a .932 OPS with 16 home runs, 37 extra-base hits, and 26 stolen bases. He also struck out 75 times and walked on 81 occasions.

During his most recent 2022 season, Brown posted a .330 average and 1.004 OPS in 265 plate appearances. Seven of his home runs came this past year, along with 21 of his extra-base hits. Brown would swing and miss 28 times, walk 39 times, and swipe 12 bases.

In addition to his collegiate career, Brown spent 2021 in the Cape Cod Leauge, one of the top college summer leagues in the nation. He would record an .811 OPS with a .282 average, five home runs, and three doubles in 138 plate appearances.

The right-handed Brown stands 5’10,” weighs 190 pounds, and is MLB.com’s 63rd ranked prospect in this year’s draft. He has an overall grade of 50 (out of 80), along with a power and run grade of 50 as well. Brown’s arm and fielding grades sit at 55.

Now for more on Brown’s game and what he is bringing to the Brewers’ organization, here is MLB.com’s scouting report on the shortstop:

"“An offensive catalyst, Brown has tremendous hand-eye coordination that allows him to barrel balls regularly even though there’s a lot going on in his right-handed stroke. He has a quick bat and some sneaky pop that should translate into 15-20 homers per season, and he controls the strike zone well. He’s an aggressive baserunner with a knack for stealing bases despite his average speed.“Brown’s instincts also allow him to cover ground in the field. He’s one of the better defensive shortstops in college baseball despite playing second base alongside Kentucky’s Ryan Ritter on the Cape. With quick hands and feet, at least solid arm strength and a good internal clock, he can play anywhere in the infield if needed.”"

The Milwaukee Brewers’ next selection will come at pick 62 overall and then again at No. 72 in Competitive Balance Round B.

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference