Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says they took the best
player available with their top three picks in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Monday. But after loading up with pitching in recent drafts, it was time to load up on offense in the early rounds and the Brewers grabbed three sluggers on the first day of the draft.
With the number 27 pick, the Brewers selected catcher Clint Coulter of Union High School in Camas, Washington, and outfielder Victor Roache out of Georgia Southern. The Brewers also had a supplemental pick at #38 for losing Prince Fielder to the Tigers. They selected Cal Poly San Luis Obispo outfielder Mitch Haniger.
The Brewers Amateur Scouting Director Bruce Seid says they’re happy to get who they wanted.
AUDIO: Bruce Seid on getting power hitters on day 1 of the draft :12
Coulter said he’d like to remain a catcher and it looks like the Brewers will allow him to do so. He’s leaning heavily towards signing with the Brewers right away, instead of playing college ball. Coulter does have a scholarship to Arizona State.
Roache missed most of the 2012 season with a badly fractured left wrist. The Brewers are convinced he’ll make a full recovery. As a sophomore at Georgia Southern, he led all Division I players with 30 home runs. Roache won’t be ready to play professionally this summer.
Hanigan played center field for Cal Poly but projects as a right fielder down the road.