Chicago Cubs: 2019 MLB Draft grades for NL Central

The Milwaukee Brewers grabbed two pitchers and two catchers in the first five rounds.

Here were the first five rounds for the Milwaukee Brewers:

1st round, 28th overall: Ethan Small, LHP (Mississippi State)

Small was a bit of a reach for the Brewers in the first round as he was ranked as the 56th best prospect in the draft. However, the southpaw struck out an absurd 160 batters in 96.0 innings in 16 start for the Bulldogs. Small reaches 92 mph on his fastball that generates a lot of weak contact and swing-n-misses. He also has a solid changeup but needs to develop his curveball to become a Major League starter.

2nd round, 65th overall: Antoine Kelly, LHP (Wabash Valley College)

Kelly was ranked as the 90th best prospect in the draft but put up terrific number in junior college. He tossed 52.2 innings and struck out 112 batters but he did walk 31. His fastball touches 98 mph and early comparisons have him projecting to be David Price. However, he lacks the natural ability to spin the ball and does not have a true secondary pitch.

3rd round: No pick

4th round, 133rd overall: Nick Kahle, C (Washington)

Kahle was ranked as the 131st best prospect so he went right where he was projected. In three seasons at Washington, he slashed 0.295/0.424/0.455 with 16 home runs and 106 RBI’s. Each year, he improved his walk rate completely reversing his splits in his junior season (1:2 to 2:1). Scouts consider his base-running and agility behind the plate to be lacking.

5th round, 163rd overall: Thomas Dillard, C (Ole Miss)

Dillard is listed as a catcher because he played that position in high school. However, he primarily played left field for the Rebels. He slashed 0.312/0.451/0.541 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI’s and took more walks than strikeouts. Dillard was ranked as the 114th best prospect in this draft, but the position he’ll end up at still remains unclear.

Five-round draft grade: C