- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,236,185
- Reaction score
- 59
The Milwaukee Brewers have often done as well as any team when it comes to draft value.
Yet, despite their recent track record, reviews of the team's first-round choice in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft - high school shortstop Trey Ebel - were not exactly glowing.
Based on various commentary, it appears some who cover the draft feel the Brewers went a bit off the board.
Some media outlets pointed out the Brewers should get the benefit of the doubt for choosing Ebel even though he was projected to be selected outside the first round. Others thought Ebel didn't possess enough upside to be among the top players chosen.
Analysis: Brewers make most of first day of MLB draft with four picks
However, a familiar refrain was that the Brewers also selected Ebel's older brother Brady with the 32nd pick of the 2025 draft. Though that storyline seemed to dominate the early projections, Trey Ebel's strong bat-to-ball skills fit the profile of other players the Brewers typically draft.
Here are some early grades and analysis of the Brewers' first-round decision:
The Athletic did not grade first-round picks, but Keith Law had Ebel among his "biggest reaches" in the first round:
"Ebel doesn’t have a carrying tool but does get high marks for his instincts on both sides of the ball, and I like his hit tool a little more than I liked his brother Brady’s (who’ll be his teammate in Milwaukee’s system)."
Mike Avisa wasn't very high on the younger Ebel, either, at least as far as upside:
"Milwaukee drafted both Ebels. They picked Trey's older brother, Brady, with the No. 32 pick last year. Their father, Dino, is the Dodgers third base coach. Ebel (Trey, not Brady or Dino) is very Brewers coded as a bat-to-ball guy with just OK power potential, good defensive chops, and baseball smarts. It's possible he will wind up at second base long-term.”
Replay: Brewers make their Day 2 picks in the 2026 MLB Draft
ESPN also did not provide a grade, but Dan Mullen points out the Brewers have often gotten far more value out of players who are often projected to go lower:
"Clearly there's something the Milwaukee front office likes about the Ebel family - and with good reason. This seems like a prototypical Brewers player: not a lot of flashy tools, but someone who just feels like a baseball player. Ebel is exactly the type of player Milwaukee has a history of turning into key contributors on a perennial contender."
More: Finishing with a flourish, Brewers wrap up draft picking CC Sabathia's son
Jonathan Mayo seems to support the Brewers’ decision to draft both Ebel brothers, but note his current ranking of the younger sibling:
"Does Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel have any more kids? Because if he does, let’s mock him to the Brewers in the future. The Brewers took Trey’s older brother Brady last year No. 32 overall and signed him for $2.75 million. Now the brothers will be reunited, and some feel Trey is a more complete player than Brady, one who can really hit and has a good chance to stick at shortstop."
Watch MLB Fridays on Apple TV
Gabe Lacques gives the Brewers higher marks due to Ebel's pedigree and Milwaukee’s consistent success in developing young players:
"Well, isn't this neat? It's back-to-back Ebel brothers for the Brew Crew, as elder brother Brady was chosen 32nd overall a year ago and has a .412 OBP in A ball. The younger Ebel, a right-handed hitter compared to the lefty-swinging Brady wasn't expected to go this high, but it's also not hard to envision the Brewers maxing out his skills to go along with excellent baseball instincts."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What grades did the Brewers get for first-round pick Trey Ebel?
Continue reading...
Yet, despite their recent track record, reviews of the team's first-round choice in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft - high school shortstop Trey Ebel - were not exactly glowing.
Based on various commentary, it appears some who cover the draft feel the Brewers went a bit off the board.
Some media outlets pointed out the Brewers should get the benefit of the doubt for choosing Ebel even though he was projected to be selected outside the first round. Others thought Ebel didn't possess enough upside to be among the top players chosen.
Analysis: Brewers make most of first day of MLB draft with four picks
However, a familiar refrain was that the Brewers also selected Ebel's older brother Brady with the 32nd pick of the 2025 draft. Though that storyline seemed to dominate the early projections, Trey Ebel's strong bat-to-ball skills fit the profile of other players the Brewers typically draft.
Here are some early grades and analysis of the Brewers' first-round decision:
The Athletic: No grade
The Athletic did not grade first-round picks, but Keith Law had Ebel among his "biggest reaches" in the first round:
"Ebel doesn’t have a carrying tool but does get high marks for his instincts on both sides of the ball, and I like his hit tool a little more than I liked his brother Brady’s (who’ll be his teammate in Milwaukee’s system)."
CBS Sports: C
Mike Avisa wasn't very high on the younger Ebel, either, at least as far as upside:
"Milwaukee drafted both Ebels. They picked Trey's older brother, Brady, with the No. 32 pick last year. Their father, Dino, is the Dodgers third base coach. Ebel (Trey, not Brady or Dino) is very Brewers coded as a bat-to-ball guy with just OK power potential, good defensive chops, and baseball smarts. It's possible he will wind up at second base long-term.”
Replay: Brewers make their Day 2 picks in the 2026 MLB Draft
You must be registered for see images
ESPN: Draft ranking for Ebel, 37
ESPN also did not provide a grade, but Dan Mullen points out the Brewers have often gotten far more value out of players who are often projected to go lower:
"Clearly there's something the Milwaukee front office likes about the Ebel family - and with good reason. This seems like a prototypical Brewers player: not a lot of flashy tools, but someone who just feels like a baseball player. Ebel is exactly the type of player Milwaukee has a history of turning into key contributors on a perennial contender."
More: Finishing with a flourish, Brewers wrap up draft picking CC Sabathia's son
MLB.com: Pipeline ranking, 107
Jonathan Mayo seems to support the Brewers’ decision to draft both Ebel brothers, but note his current ranking of the younger sibling:
"Does Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel have any more kids? Because if he does, let’s mock him to the Brewers in the future. The Brewers took Trey’s older brother Brady last year No. 32 overall and signed him for $2.75 million. Now the brothers will be reunited, and some feel Trey is a more complete player than Brady, one who can really hit and has a good chance to stick at shortstop."
Watch MLB Fridays on Apple TV
USA Today: B
Gabe Lacques gives the Brewers higher marks due to Ebel's pedigree and Milwaukee’s consistent success in developing young players:
"Well, isn't this neat? It's back-to-back Ebel brothers for the Brew Crew, as elder brother Brady was chosen 32nd overall a year ago and has a .412 OBP in A ball. The younger Ebel, a right-handed hitter compared to the lefty-swinging Brady wasn't expected to go this high, but it's also not hard to envision the Brewers maxing out his skills to go along with excellent baseball instincts."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What grades did the Brewers get for first-round pick Trey Ebel?
Continue reading...
