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06-17-2006, 05:32 AM
<b>Brewer passes on football scholarship</b>
The Brewers moved quickly Wednesday after completion of the June draft, signing second-round pick Brent Brewer and getting very close to a deal with first-round pick Jeremy Jeffress.
Brewer, a high school shortstop from Tyrone, Ga., agreed to forgo a football scholarship to Florida State, where he would have been a wide receiver. Scouting director Jack Zduriencik said Brewer had given every indication he would sign to play baseball if drafted in the top rounds.
"The kid made it clear, 'I'm a good football player but I envision playing baseball,'" Zduriencik said. "He told the Florida State coaches that."
Brewer will report to the Brewers' rookie league camp in Phoenix. Zduriencik was asked if the player's last name made him a natural to be drafted by Milwaukee.
"I never even thought of that until I heard that this morning," Zduriencik said. "I was so focused on the kid and his ability."
Jeffress, a prep right-hander from South Boston, Va., was expected to come to terms before the night was over. The recommended bonus money for the 16th pick in the first round was approximately $1.6 million, and all indications were that Jeffress was ready to sign.
Area scout Joe McIlvaine met with Jeffress and his family for the second consecutive night with expectations of closing the deal.
"Hopefully, this thing will move along quickly and appears to be doing so even as we speak," Zduriencik said just before the start of the Brewers-Padres game at Miller Park.
The Brewers moved quickly Wednesday after completion of the June draft, signing second-round pick Brent Brewer and getting very close to a deal with first-round pick Jeremy Jeffress.
Brewer, a high school shortstop from Tyrone, Ga., agreed to forgo a football scholarship to Florida State, where he would have been a wide receiver. Scouting director Jack Zduriencik said Brewer had given every indication he would sign to play baseball if drafted in the top rounds.
"The kid made it clear, 'I'm a good football player but I envision playing baseball,'" Zduriencik said. "He told the Florida State coaches that."
Brewer will report to the Brewers' rookie league camp in Phoenix. Zduriencik was asked if the player's last name made him a natural to be drafted by Milwaukee.
"I never even thought of that until I heard that this morning," Zduriencik said. "I was so focused on the kid and his ability."
Jeffress, a prep right-hander from South Boston, Va., was expected to come to terms before the night was over. The recommended bonus money for the 16th pick in the first round was approximately $1.6 million, and all indications were that Jeffress was ready to sign.
Area scout Joe McIlvaine met with Jeffress and his family for the second consecutive night with expectations of closing the deal.
"Hopefully, this thing will move along quickly and appears to be doing so even as we speak," Zduriencik said just before the start of the Brewers-Padres game at Miller Park.