The Brewers are on the clock...

...Well not quite yet. But come June 7, the Crew owns the fifth pick in the 2005 MLB draft. Now I'm not claiming to be a guru on the MLB draft, not at all. Believe me, if I know over 15 guys that are drafted, I'm considering it a success. But I did a little research this year on some of the top prospects and I'll offer them up. The MLB draft is very unusual when compared to the other "big" sports drafts. For one, the MLB draft is about 114 rounds, or some obsurd number. It's not televised and a lot of teams that own very high picks, pass on what are thought to be far and away the best prospects in the draft because of monetary reasons. Just look at Jared Weaver from last season. Most experts had him penciled in as going Number 1 to the Padres, only to have him fall all the way to 12th, and he held out the entire year until mere minutes before he would have been thrown back into the draft pool for 05. Case in point, the guy at the top of basically every list this year, Justin Upton, could very well slip clear out of the top 10. With that, here are the prospects I believe the Brewers would benefit from selecting in the five hole.

Justin Upton, SS/OF, Great Bridge HS-Chesapeake, VA
B/R, 6-2, 187, 1987 (year of birth)

Widely regarded as the top prospect this season, will probably be tabbed by another team before the Brewers get a crack at him. If he's there, I have my doubts that they would select him anyway. With J.J. Hardy in the middle of his rookie season and Bill Hall still on the roster, the team really doesn't need another top middle infield prospect. Upton has showed outstanding bat speed and no major mechanical flaws as a high schooler. Pegged as a future five tool player, which basically translates into, he's going to be a stud. Batted .519, with 11 HR's, 32 RBI's, five 2B's and seven SB's in 54 AB's as a prep last season.

Alex Gordon, 3B, Nebraska
L/R, 6-1, 210, 1984

#2 overall prospect oh so happens to be at a major "need" position for Milwaukee. Has showed power to all fields, is quick and a steady, reliable fielder for the Huskers while batting .396 with 15 HR's, 48 RBI's, 21 SB's, 18 2B's in 187 AB's. I love the fact that a 3Bman swiped 21 bases. Not only would he fill the need of a thirdbaseman, but he also fills a void of having a thief on the base paths. I'm hoping he falls.

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Virginia
R/R, 6-2, 210, 1984

The premier defensive player in the country ain't a bad hitter either. Quick line drive stroke, regularly driving the ball, has gap power, good instincts, soft hands and is fun to watch. What doesn't he do? Tuck your kids in at night? Batted .404 while socking six HR's, 54 RBI's, 15 SB's, 16 2B's in 198 AB's. If he's listed as the best defensive player in the nation along with his numbers, I really wonder why he's below Gordon, because to me, on paper at least, he's seems like exactly the player Milwaukee needs. Another one I'm hoping is available.

Mike Pelfrey, P, Wichita State
RHP, 6-7, 210, 1983

"Fastball bores into hitters when up in the zone, sinks when down in the zone...throws power curve with slider like action, also has a change-up." Surprise, surprise, he's the top pitching prospect. Thoughts of a staff with Sheets and this kid are encouraging and although the Brewers main needs remain easily catcher and third base, a top pitching talent is always tough to pass up.

Jeff Clement, C, USC
L/R, 6-1, 210, 1983

The top catcher prospect is said to be a gamer who plays with intensity. And if he can hit higher than .100 he'll be better than Chad Moeller. Has a short, compact stroke and is thought to be a better prospect than his former USC backstop Eric Munson who was drafted #3 in 1999 by Detroit. Batted .368 with 10 dingers, 42 ribbies, four SB's, 16 two-baggers in 163 at bats for the Trojans! Trojans! We Will Never Break baseball team. It is thought that Clement has done enough in his last season in southern Cal to make himself a legit top 10 prospect and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he is Milwaukee's choice at five due to the absolute lack of anything that resembles a catcher in the organization.

Maybe I'll post a mock draft of all 114 rounds in my free time...until then, GO BREW CREW!