After two days of the 2025 MLB Draft, it’s time to take a closer look at how the Milwaukee Brewers fared so far. The front office, helmed by Matt Arnold, took picks from both the college and high school ranks. The Crew’s office was aiming for an infusion of both power and projection at the plate. Here’s how each draft pick stacks up as the next wave of Brewers prospects prepares to enter the pipeline.
Brewers 2025 MLB Draft Grades: Days 1-2
Round 1: Andrew Fischer, 1B/3B University of Tennessee
Grade: B+
The Brewers doubled down on established college production to kick off the draft, taking Tennessee’s slugging corner infielder Andrew Fischer. Fischer brings a potent left-handed bat. He boasts a .341/.497/.760 slash line with 25 homers this past collegiate season.
His elite power and impressive plate discipline give him a real chance to move quickly through the pro ranks. However, Fischer’s defensive limitations mean his value almost entirely rides on his bat. He profiles more as a first baseman than a third baseman, lacking range and athleticism at the hot corner. Still, the Brewers have a need for a long-term answer at the corners. The likelihood they’ll sign him under slot means this is a strong, although not risk-free, selection.
Competitive Balance Round A: Brady Ebel, SS/3B Corona HS (CA)
Grade: C+
With their compensation pick from the Willy Adames departure, Milwaukee dipped into the high school ranks. The Crew selected Brady Ebel from a loaded Corona High team. Ebel, the son of Los Angeles Dodgers coach Dino Ebel, has a mature approach and solid all-around skills. The big question is projection. His arm is a major asset, but his overall athleticism may push him toward third base as a pro. Right now, his hitting tools are ahead of his power.
Some external analysts questioned the pick, citing his ranking outside the consensus top 60. This was labeled as a bit of a reach, with Ebel possessing limited “wow” factor. This made the pick a classic high-floor, moderate-ceiling bet. The Brewers will hope their development team can coax out more pop as his body matures.
Round 2: J.D. Thompson, LHP, Vanderbilt University
Grade: B
With their standard second-round pick, Milwaukee selected lefty starter J.D. Thompson out of Vanderbilt. Thompson checks the box for college experience and durability. He’s coming off a season with 16 starts and 122 strikeouts in 90 innings. Thompson also has a deep arsenal.
He brings a standout fastball and a slider that flashes as a legitimate out pitch. Thompson’s 4.00 ERA suggests he’s hittable at times, but the strikeout numbers and pitchability are strong foundation pieces for a rotation prospect. Thompson’s track record against SEC competition gives him a solid floor, though there’s not a ton of frontline upside.
JD Thompson could be a potential Round 2-3 steal.
His arsenal is headlined by a 92.3 MPH (T96.3) FF w/ 18.3” IVB, thrown from a low launch. He’ll also mix in an effective mid-80s gyro-SL, a solid CH w/ 12.3″ vertical separation off the FF, and a CB that has performed well. pic.twitter.com/L0SrgQCZ3g
— Kareem (@KareemSSN) May 31, 2025
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Round 3: Jacob Morrison, RHP, Coastal Carolina University
Grade: B+
Notable for his size at 6’8″ and 245 pounds, Jacob Morrison emerged as one of the top pitchers in NCAA Division I in 2025. He earned recognition as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist after posting a 2.42 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings pitched. While the projected upside is limited for Morrison, he has proven to be a physical, durable, and effective starting pitcher at the collegiate level.
Round 4: Josh Flores, RHP, Lake Central HS (IN)
Grade: A-
The Brewers continued their love affair with Lake Central High School, drafting a player from the Indiana powerhouse for the third straight year. Flores brings legitimate mid-90s velocity, touching 97, and pairs it with a 60-grade curveball. The command questions due to a high-effort delivery don’t overshadow the front-of-the-rotation upside.
Flores offers an athletic build, advanced breaking stuff, and a fastball that already shows above-average velocity. The organization sees projectability in his frame, and his developing arsenal hints at a mid-rotation ceiling if all breaks right. His youth and rawness add risk, but Milwaukee’s track record of coaxing potential out of prep arms is strong.
Round 5: Sean Episcope, RHP, Princeton
Grade: B
Sean Episcope is a high-variance, high-reward selection. The Chicago native showed flashes of brilliance pitching for Princeton, topping out at 97 mph before injuries derailed his 2025 spring. Episcope fills up the strike zone and features a sharp 12/6 breaking ball, drawing comparisons to previous Brewers picks with injury history like Drew Rasmussen. If he can bounce back to form, he could vastly outplay his draft slot. If not, the health red flags could limit his ceiling to the bullpen.
Round 6: Daniel Dickinson, SS, LSU
Grade: B-
Daniel Dickinson arrives from LSU, one of college baseball’s premier programs. With a righty bat and arm, Dickinson brings defensive flexibility and the rough profile of a utility infielder. The Brewers value his SEC pedigree, which suggests he can handle top competition. His projection hinges on whether his bat develops enough to carry him beyond a defensive-first role.
Round 7: Josiah Ragsdale, OF, Boston College
Grade: B
The lone lefty in Milwaukee’s mid-round haul, Josiah Ragsdale is a true center fielder with above-average speed and some feel for contact. As a lefty/lefty outfielder, he fits a classic table-setting archetype. Ragsdale’s upside will depend on his ability to unlock more in-game power and prove he can stick in center at the professional level.
Josiah Ragsdale started at Iona, moved to BC to finish his career. Has some pop with a twitchy LH swing. Chase rate improved as his career progressed, B2B skills aren’t bad.
Speed plays better on offense than defense, likely a LF.
Interesting pick, especially for the offense.
— Spencer Michaelis (@smichaelis234) July 14, 2025
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Round 8: Hayden Vucinovich, RHP, Bloomington Jefferson HS (MN)
Grade: B-
Another prep arm continues Milwaukee’s trend of targeting high school pitching. Vucinovich reportedly offers good velocity for his age and the type of projectability Milwaukee’s development staff has shown a knack for maximizing, even if it means a multi-year road before reaching the upper minors.
Round 9: Andrew Healy, LHP, Duke
Grade: B-
Andrew Healy represents rare left-handed depth from a reputable Duke program. While his ceiling may not leap off the page, his collegiate experience and ability to miss bats against ACC hitters give him middle-relief upside. If his secondary offerings tick up, there’s a path to a back-end starter or dependable bullpen arm.
Round 10: Braylon Owens, RHP, Texas-San Antonio
Grade: C+
Braylon Owens is an older, physically mature college righty with solid but not overwhelming stuff. He profiles as a depth option who could fill minor league innings in the near-term, with a long-shot chance to carve out a bullpen role if his velocity or command make a leap.
Round 11: SS CJ Hughes, Junipero Serra HS (CA)
Grade: B
Hughes is a defense-first, switch-hitting shortstop with plus glove skills and youth on his side. His commitment to UC Santa Barbara means the Brewers will need to open their wallet, but his raw tools merit the investment.
Round 12: LHP Cooper Underwood, Allatoona HS (GA)
Grade: A
Underwood may be the steal of Day 2. Ranked 133rd by MLB Pipeline but falling due to signability concerns, this 6’2″ lefty boasts a fastball up to 93 mph and two-plus breaking balls. The Brewers likely earmarked savings for an over-slot offer, making this a strong value pick if he signs.
Some advanced pitchability from LHP Cooper Underwood. Showing five pitches and strikes. Playing with hitters’ eyes north-south. Command CB to the back foot. FB up to 93 playing w shapes. pic.twitter.com/RSRVMSm9nC
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) June 18, 2025
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Round 13: RHP Gavin Lauridsen, Foothill HS (CA)
Grade: B+
Lauridsen’s effortless delivery and upper-90s projection make him a worthy gamble, though his USC commitment complicates matters. He has projectable power with polish in his mechanics.
Round 14: C Brendan Brock, Southwestern Illinois College
Grade: B
Brendan Brock is an athletic catcher with speed and power, rare talents for a backstop. As a JUCO product with a future Oklahoma commitment, he presents signability risk, but the offensive upside is notable.
Round 15: 3B Dominic Cadiz, Notre Dame HS (CA)
Grade: B+
Dominic Cadiz’s dominance in the West Coast League against older competition is too impressive to ignore. His UCLA commitment makes signing uncertain, but his advanced approach could push him quickly if he forgoes college.
Round 16: LHP Parker Coil, University of Arkansas
Grade: C+
Parker Coil found his groove in relief for the Razorbacks, with a 1.27 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. However, he lacks a consistent college track record. As a senior, he’ll likely sign for cheap, though his pro upside is limited.
Round 17: RHP Luke Roupe, Grace Christian School HS (NC)
Grade: B
Roupe, with a fastball up to 93 and two breaking pitches that both spin over 2500 rpm, is an analytics favorite. Again, signability looms given his South Carolina commitment, but the raw pitch quality is intriguing.
Round 18: C Rylan Mills, Oran HS (MO)
Grade: B-
With light-tower power for a prep catcher, Rylan Mills is a classic big-swing bet. Development will be key as he matures, and pulling him from Southeast Missouri State is doable.
Round 19: RHP Chase Bentley, IMG Academy (FL)
Grade: C+
Bentley is all about projection, carrying a 91 mph fastball with a clean frame and Texas A&M commitment. Future velocity gains are expected, but he’s a long-term project.
Round 20: RHP Ma’Kale Holden, Thompson High School (AL)
Grade: A
Holden is the kind of high-upside prep arm teams covet on Day 2 but rarely secure. He’s already touched 94 mph with his fastball, pairs it with a developing changeup, and has earned high regard for his feel and mound presence. The Brewers’ scouting department clearly identified significant raw potential here, so they decided to draft him in round 20.
Overall Brewers Draft Assessment
The Brewers’ brain trust opted for a combination of polish and projection early. While the picks lack a true “can’t-miss” superstar, there’s enough merit and financial flexibility to warrant optimism heading into the later rounds. Time will tell if this draft hauls sturdy contributors or hidden gems for the Crew. For now, the first two days look solid, if somewhat conservative. There is just enough upside to keep Brewers fans intrigued for the next wave of prospects.
Main Photo Credit: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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