The 2022 MLB draft is rapidly approaching. This year the Milwaukee Brewers have the 27th pick in the first round. Here we will profile three pitchers, who if available, could be selected with the first pick.
Over the past three drafts, the Brewers have selected college players with their first selection. The last pitcher to be drafted in the first round was Ethan Small. This article will cover three potential college pitchers who could be the Brewers first round pick.
In this year’s draft, there is not a lot of elite level pitching depth. During the college baseball season a good amount of top end pitching talents either missed the season due to injury or were injured as the season progressed. This could create a lot of variability as to which order pitchers are drafted this year.
1) RHP Blade Tidwell – Tennessee
Unlike other top college pitchers who sustained injury, Blade Tidwell was able to pitch during the 2022 season. While he did not have a fully healthy or dominant 2022 season, he is still projected to be a first round pick. MLB pipeline currently has him ranked 27th.
When Tidwell is at his best, the radar gun can reach 99 MPH, but he typically sits in the 93-96 MPH range. He is not afraid to throw his off-speed pitches which consist of a slider, curveball, and changeup. His slider is graded at 60. The ceiling for Tidwell is very high, so the biggest question is if he will still be on the board when the Brewers draft.
2) LHP Cooper Hjerpe – Oregon State
Cooper Hjerpe is a third year pitcher who improved every collegiate season. Hjerpe is actually quite similar to Ethan Small. Neither pitcher throws extremely fast and they are very good at deceiving hitters. Hjerpe’s best pitch is his curveball and overall he has good command of his pitchers.
Stats wise, Hjerpe appeared in 18 games in 2022. He pitched 103.1 innings, struck out 161 batters, walked 23, and had a 2.53 ERA. If the Brewers want to select another pitcher who may quickly work their way up the minor league ranks, Hjerpe would be a great selection.
3) LHP Carson Whisenhunt – East Carolina University
Unlike the other two pitchers mentioned, Carson Whisenhunt did not pitch collegitally in 2022. Whisenhunt was suspended for the 2022 season after testing positive for a banned substance. Following the suspension, he indicated that the positive test came from a supplement purchased at a nutrition chain store.
Despite this, Whisenhunt may still be selected in the first round. MLB currently has him 36th, but he is said to possess the best changeup in this year’s college draft class. He additionally has a ton of swing and miss ability in his game and that is evident by his 11.47 K:9 ratio during his 2021 campaign. It will be interesting to see if the Brewers decide to take him or not.
The first round of the MLB draft is Sunday, July 17th. Be sure to stay tuned to WI Sports heroics as we will cover the Brewers selection.
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