The Milwaukee Brewers selected outfielder Braylon Payne out of Elkins High School in Missouri City, TX with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Vice President of Domestic Scouting Tod Johnson.
Payne, 17, was named a First Team High School All-American by Baseball America following his senior season in 2024. He is the all-time hits leader at Elkins High School, surpassing the record previously held by current St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter. Former Major League first baseman James Loney ranks third in school history.
As a junior in 2023, Payne batted .512 (44-for-86) with 9 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 34 runs and 34 stolen bases in 28 games. Payne is committed to the University of Houston.
The left-handed hitter is the first high school player selected by the Brewers in the first round since Brice Turang (No. 21 overall) in 2018.
Three more picks: The Milwaukee Brewers after taking Payne with the No. 17 pick, made 3 additional selections on the first day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, including University of Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke at No. 34 overall (Competitive Balance Round A).
The Brewers closed the night by selecting right-handed pitcher Bryce Meccage (message) from The Pennington School (NJ) at No. 57 overall (second round) and right-handed pitcher Chris Levonas from Christian Brothers Academy (NJ) at No. 67 overall (Competitive Balance Round B).
Payne, 17, was named a First Team High School All-American by Baseball America following his senior season in 2024. He is the all-time hits leader at Elkins High School, surpassing the record previously held by St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter. Former Major League first baseman James Loney ranks third in school history.
Payne batted .531 (51-for-96) with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 3 HR and 32 stolen bases as a senior in 2024. He drew 21 walks with just 7 strikeouts in 119 plate appearances. As a junior in 2023, Payne batted .512 (44-for-86) with 9 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 34 runs and 34 stolen bases in 28 games.
The left-handed hitter is the first high school player selected by the Brewers in the first round since Brice Turang (No. 21 overall) in 2018. He is committed to the University of Houston.
Burke, who turned 21 on June 11, batted .379 (108-for-285) with 30 doubles, 1 triple, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 74 runs and 11 stolen bases in 72 games as a junior at Tennessee in 2024. He was named First Team All-America by Baseball America, Perfect Game and the American Baseball Coaches Association.
In 6 games during the 2024 College World Series, Burke batted .407 (11-for-27) with 2 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI and 7 runs to help the Volunteers win the first national championship in program history. He finished his Tennessee career with 50 HR, second most in school history.
Meccage, 18, did not allow a hit over 22.0 innings as a senior at The Pennington School in 2024. He posted a 0.64 ERA with 47 strikeouts and just 9 walks. Committed to the University of Virginia, he is the nephew of Pirates bullpen catcher Justin Meccage.
Levonas, 18, went 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 31.2 innings in 6 starts as a senior at Christian Brothers Academy in 2024. As a junior in 2023, Levonas finished 5-1 with a 1.15 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. He is committed to Wake Forest University.
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