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Let’s take a look at where the MLB Draft Class of 2016 is now

By Joshua Sadlock

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MARYVALE, FL – MARCH 14: Corey Ray #78 of the Milwaukee Brewers signs autographs before the Spring Training game against the Angels of Anaheim at Maryvale Baseball Park on March 14, 2019 in Maryvale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MARYVALE, FL – MARCH 14: Corey Ray #78 of the Milwaukee Brewers signs autographs before the Spring Training game against the Angels of Anaheim at Maryvale Baseball Park on March 14, 2019 in Maryvale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

5. Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Ray, OF, Louisville

The Brewers took the second-best college bat available in the draft with the fifth pick, taking Louisville center fielder Corey Ray. Scouts loved his power-speed combination. While Ray was not quite as polished as Nick Senzel, he did offer more upside potential and overall athleticism.

Ray signed for the largest bonus in Brewers history, but his professional career got off to a slow start after knee surgery. He played in 60 games in 2016 after recovering from surgery, but hit only .239/.307/.370 and struck out 58 times. Ray’s 2017 campaign wasn’t much better, as he hit only .238/.311/.367 with seven home runs and 148 strikeouts in 156 games. He also struggled in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, striking out 19 times in 23 games with a .623 OPS.

Despite his struggles the first two seasons of his career, the Brewers gave Ray an aggressive assignment to Double-A for 2018. He responded well, hitting .239/.323/.477 with 32 doubles, 27 home runs and 37 stolen bases in 135 games. Ray does continue to strike out at a high clip — 176 last season — but he will take his walks to help offset the whiffs.

At 24, Ray is nearing his first taste of the big leagues. He has struggled at Triple-A to start the year, but he showed the Brewers more than enough last year to warrant consideration for a callup later this season. Milwaukee has a loaded outfield, so even if Ray doesn’t develop into anything more than a bench bat, they’ll be fine.

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