Round: 1, Pick: 16

The Milwaukee Brewers lost a few good players to free agency last off-season. Combined with winning 83 games, these happenings have given Jack Zdurencik's staff several early picks in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft (not called a rookie draft for obvious reasons).

Well, the draft began nearly two hours ago and the Brewers have made their first selection. He is a catcher/infielder from Canada named Brett Lawrie.

Brett Lawrie - C - Brookswood SS (Canada)
5'11", 200 lbs, Born: 1/18/1990

Here is what the MLB.com scouting report says on him:

Hitting Ability:	He's got tremendous hand strength and a quick bat, but he's a little pull conscious and with an open stance, he gives away too much of the outer part of the plate.
Power:	His best tool is his plus, plus raw power, though it's mostly to the pull side now.
Running Speed:	He's an average runner, maybe a tick above at times.
Base running:	He's a good baserunner who runs better underway.
Arm Strength:	He's got a plus arm which plays average in games.
Fielding:	He's got strong hands and quick feet, but his catching skills are rudimentary.
Range:	He has the athleticsm and quickness, but needs to work on blocking balls and shifting.
Physical Description:	Lawrie is an athletic player who might have the right build and frame to be a quick backstop.
Medical Update:	Healthy.
Strengths:	Plus, plus raw power, generated by strong hands and bat speed.
Weaknesses:	His lack of a true position. Catching might be the best bet, but he's behind due to lack of experience.
Summary:	Scouting Canadian players can sometimes be difficult because of the lack of opportunity to see them. But scouts know all about Lawrie and his plus power potential, something he's been able to show off while playing for the Langley Blaze in British Columbia. What they don't know is where he can play, though he's shown the tools -- raw though they may be -- to handle being a catcher. It may take a while, but putting that bat behind the plate could one day make him a premium player.