The Milwaukee Brewers capitalized on their compensation pick at No. 32 overall in the 2025 MLB Draft, selecting Brady Ebel, a skilled high school shortstop from Corona High School. This selection compensates for losing their former starting shortstop Willy Adames through free agency during the recent offseason, aligning with the Brewers’ priorities to maintain strong infield depth.
Following their first-round choice of Tennessee corner infielder Andrew Fischer, the Brewers doubled down on acquiring young infield talent, emphasizing prospects who can contribute with the bat and glove. Ebel, who impressed the Brewers during the 2024 Area Code Games showcase, fits into a pattern of targeting promising high school shortstops from Southern California, a region heavily scouted by the Brewers organization.
Profiling Brady Ebel’s Potential and Background
At just 17 years old, Brady Ebel represents one of the younger prospects in this draft class, yet his skill set showcases considerable upside. Known for a strong hitting approach and developing power potential, he offers a balanced offensive profile that is expected to grow as he matures. Defensively, Ebel’s strong arm and versatility allowed him to handle third base frequently during his senior season, as Corona High School’s top shortstop and fellow draftee Billy Carlson—selected 10th overall by the Chicago White Sox—held down the traditional shortstop role.
Ebel is committed to play college baseball at LSU, which may present a challenge for the Brewers in securing his signature. Nevertheless, Milwaukee has previous experience convincing top shortstop prospects with LSU commitments to turn professional earlier, as demonstrated by Brice Turang’s decision in a past draft. The Brewers appear prepared to offer an overslot signing bonus for Ebel, likely reallocating some savings from their earlier pick of Andrew Fischer to ensure they land this valuable infielder.
Connections and Scouting Strategy Behind the Pick
The Brewers’ draft strategy has a noticeable focus on Southern California talent, notably through their involvement in the Area Code Games, a showcase event that has been instrumental in their evaluation process. Ebel’s inclusion on the Brewers’ 2024 Area Code roster allowed the team to closely assess his abilities and character, adding confidence to their decision. His father, Dino Ebel, currently serves as a coach on the Los Angeles Dodgers staff, adding a layer of baseball pedigree and experience to Brady’s development.
Milwaukee’s approach also demonstrates a desire to replace Adames with a player who has both defensive proficiency and offensive promise, helping to fill a vital role within their infield core for years to come. This pick reflects a cautious, optimistic mindset as the Brewers balance the need to rebuild around homegrown talent while managing a competitive roster.
Implications for Milwaukee’s Future Infield Landscape
Brady Ebel’s selection with the Willy Adames Brewers Draft Compensation pick represents a critical step in maintaining the organization’s depth at shortstop. The Brewers appear committed to developing young, high-upside players through scouting pipelines like the Area Code Games and selectively investing in college commitments who align with their timeline and needs. If Ebel signs and progresses as expected, he could eventually become a key contributor, continuing Milwaukee’s focus on stocking their farm system with versatile, athletic infielders.
This draft pick underlines the subtle tension inherent in replacing a proven major leaguer while nurturing emerging talent. The Brewers’ nuanced investment aims to balance cautious optimism with the challenges typical of converting highly touted high school prospects into professional success.