The Brewers used the 32nd overall pick in Sunday’s MLB draft on a bet that polish, projection and baseball IQ will eventually add up to impact, selecting California prep infielder Brady Ebel.
Ebel emerged last summer as one of the more refined high school hitters in the class. His smooth left-handed swing and mature approach stood out during the showcase circuit, where he consistently handled velocity and found the barrel at events like the Area Code Games and MLB’s High School All-American Game. While his tools don’t jump off the page, Ebel’s ability to control at-bats and square up high-end pitching was enough to keep evaluators intrigued.
Ebel’s spring performance raised questions. He didn’t show much power, hit too many balls on the ground and struggled to consistently drive the ball — all concerns that trace back to bat speed and limited impact. At 6-foot-3, there’s physical projection left, and the Brewers are clearly betting that more strength will unlock the power he’ll need if he’s going to stick as a corner infielder.
Defensively, Ebel already looks ticketed for third base, where he played this spring in deference to first-round shortstop Billy Carlson. He has a plus arm that plays from the left side of the infield, and his baseball instincts help compensate for fringy speed.
It’s no surprise that Ebel plays the game with a pro-ready feel. His father, Dino Ebel, is the Dodgers’ longtime third-base coach, and Brady grew up immersed in the clubhouse and batting cages of the big leagues. That background — and the advanced approach that comes with it — is what the Brewers are banking on translating to the next level.
Read more in-depth stories on top 2025 MLB draft prospects at Baseball Prospect Journal.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. Hehas interviewed 580 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while hehas appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
