Milwaukee will meet its newest millionaire this afternoon.
Right-hander Jeremy Jeffress, the Brewers' top pick in the amateur draft Tuesday, will work out for his new bosses and meet with the media at Miller Park.
Jeffress, 18, who pitched for Halifax County (Va.) High School, was the 16th player taken in the draft and received a $1.55 million signing bonus. A hard-thrower who has drawn comparisons to Dwight Gooden, Jeffress was 5-1 with a 0.19 earned run average and 71 strikeouts in 37 innings as a senior. The fact that he signed quickly indicates that the framework of a deal was likely in place before the pick was made.
"This is an indication of a young man with a desire to begin his career immediately," scouting director Jack Zduriencik said. "Jeremy has an understanding of getting into uniform sooner rather than later to begin the developmental process."
The Brewers aren't exactly surfing a wave of success when it comes to high school pitchers. Many fans remember J.M. Gold and Nick Neugebauer, the teams first and second picks, respectively, in 1998, saw their pro careers derailed by injuries. Mike Jones, chosen first in 2001, has been hampered by injuries and Mark Rogers, the first pick in 2004, has experienced control problems in the minor leagues.
Here is hoping that Jeffress has all the proper equipment necessary to work out today. Outfielder Mike Goetz, the Brewers' 25th-round pick out of UW-Milwaukee, took part in batting practice Thursday and didn't have a wood bat to use. Veteran Jeff Cirillo took care of that, giving Goetz three from his personal supply.
Right-hander Jeremy Jeffress, the Brewers' top pick in the amateur draft Tuesday, will work out for his new bosses and meet with the media at Miller Park.
Jeffress, 18, who pitched for Halifax County (Va.) High School, was the 16th player taken in the draft and received a $1.55 million signing bonus. A hard-thrower who has drawn comparisons to Dwight Gooden, Jeffress was 5-1 with a 0.19 earned run average and 71 strikeouts in 37 innings as a senior. The fact that he signed quickly indicates that the framework of a deal was likely in place before the pick was made.
"This is an indication of a young man with a desire to begin his career immediately," scouting director Jack Zduriencik said. "Jeremy has an understanding of getting into uniform sooner rather than later to begin the developmental process."
The Brewers aren't exactly surfing a wave of success when it comes to high school pitchers. Many fans remember J.M. Gold and Nick Neugebauer, the teams first and second picks, respectively, in 1998, saw their pro careers derailed by injuries. Mike Jones, chosen first in 2001, has been hampered by injuries and Mark Rogers, the first pick in 2004, has experienced control problems in the minor leagues.
Here is hoping that Jeffress has all the proper equipment necessary to work out today. Outfielder Mike Goetz, the Brewers' 25th-round pick out of UW-Milwaukee, took part in batting practice Thursday and didn't have a wood bat to use. Veteran Jeff Cirillo took care of that, giving Goetz three from his personal supply.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
