Brewers Finalize 20 Picks in 2026 MLB Draft, Add Stars Like Trey Ebel and Carsten Sabathia III

Draft Overview

Milwaukee entered the 2026 MLB Draft with a full complement of picks, using one selection in every round from first through 20th. The club focused on infield depth, signing a high‑school shortstop and the son of former pitcher CC Sabathia. All contracts must be finalized by 4 p.m. CT on July 27, giving the team a tight window to secure its new talent. The organization also set a total signing bonus pool of $8,042,900, which it can distribute as it sees fit.

Second‑round outfielder Sawyer Strosnider came aboard after a standout season at TCU, while the Brewers also nabbed Wilmot Union HS (Wisconsin) shortstop Chance Ruby in the 17th round. The most notable late‑round addition is first baseman Carsten Sabathia III, linking the famous family name to the Milwaukee roster. These selections reflect a mix of college, high‑school, and draft‑underclassmen talent.

Top Early Picks

The first pick went to Trey Ebel, a shortstop from Corona High School in California, signaling the Brewers’ emphasis on youth at the keystone. Round two brought Sawyer Strosnider, an outfielder who starred for Texas Christian, with a slot bonus of $1,353,100. The third round yielded Kyle Jones, an outfielder from the University of Florida, who already closed his deal (exact bonus undisclosed). Early rounds also featured right‑handed pitchers Julian Garcia, Aidan Knaak, and Ryan Oshinskie, each slated for six‑figure slot values.

Mid‑draft selections continued the pitcher‑heavy trend, with right‑handers Grant Hill, Kellan Tom (first baseman), Chase Mora, Andrew Gaines, and several others arriving in rounds 7‑10. Those later picks are automatically assigned a $150,000 slot, though any amount above that counts against the overall pool.

Signing Tracker

• Rd. 3, No. 102: Kyle Jones, OF, University of Florida – Signed (bonus undisclosed)
• Rd. 6, No. 192: Ryan Oshinskie, RHP, Brown – Signed (bonus undisclosed)
• Rd. 8, No. 251: Kellan Tom, 1B, Corona del Sol HS (AZ) – Signed (bonus undisclosed)
• Rd. 9, No. 281: Chase Mora, RHP, Texas State – Signed (bonus undisclosed)
• Rd. 10, No. 311: Andrew Gaines, RHP, Saint Joseph’s – Signed (bonus undisclosed)

All other selections remain unsigned as of now. The Brewers must move quickly to finalize contracts before the July 27 deadline to avoid penalties. Exceeding the $8,042,900 pool triggers financial consequences, including possible forfeiture of future draft picks.

Bonus Pool Mechanics

Milwaukee’s total bonus pool sits at $8,042,900, a figure the club can reallocate across its 20 picks. Slots 11 through 20 come with a default $150,000 allocation; any amount above that eats into the broader pool. If the Brewers spend more than the set limit, they risk fines and the loss of later draft choices. This system encourages disciplined spending while still allowing flexibility for top prospects.

The slot bonus for the first pick alone matches the entire pool, illustrating how a single elite talent can dominate a team’s financial commitments. Subsequent rounds see steep drops, with the second round valued at $1,353,100 and the third at $770,600. By the time the draft reaches the mid‑teens, each pick carries a uniform $150,000 baseline.

Looking Ahead

With most early signs completed, the Brewers will focus on integrating the new crop of athletes into their minor‑league system. The mix of high‑school tools, college producers, and late‑round specialists provides depth across multiple positions. Success will depend on how quickly the signed players progress and whether the unsigned picks can meet expectations after the July deadline.

Fans can track each prospect’s development through upcoming spring‑training reports and minor‑league updates. The 2026 draft marks a rebuilding phase for Milwaukee, and the ability to manage the bonus pool wisely could shape the franchise’s trajectory for the next few seasons.