Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 70 | Arm: 45 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50 

Because he comes from the southern half of Texas and is one of the fastest players in his Draft, Payne elicits comparisons to Kendall George, the Dodgers' top pick (supplemental first round) in 2023. While he can't quite match George's top-of-the-scale speed, Payne is more aggressive on the bases and should provide more impact at the plate. He won't turn 18 until a month after the Draft, making him one of the youngest players in the high school class and enhancing his appeal to teams that put an emphasis on age. 

With a compact, flat left-handed swing, Payne likes to use his quick hands to smack grounders to the left side of the infield and his plus-plus speed to beat them out. He opens up early at the plate in an attempt to get down the line as fast as possible, yet he still manages to make repeated contact. Though he'll never be a slugger, he has enough bat speed and projectable strength to hit 15 or more homers per season once he learns to look for pitches he can drive. 

Payne focuses on getting on base and creating havoc with his speed. The Houston recruit has good instincts on the bases and in center field, where he has the ingredients to become a plus defender. He has fringy-to-average arm strength that's playable in center.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 70 | Arm: 45 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50 

Because he came from the southern half of Texas and was one of the fastest players in his Draft, Payne elicited comparisons to Kendall George, the Dodgers' top pick (supplemental first round) in 2023. While he can't quite match George's top-of-the-scale speed, Payne is more aggressive on the bases and should provide more impact at the plate. He didn’t turn 18 until a month after the Draft, making him one of the youngest players in the high school class and enhancing his appeal to teams that put an emphasis on age. The Brewers surprised the industry some by taking Payne 17th overall and signed him for below slot at $3.44 million.

With a compact, flat left-handed swing, Payne likes to use his quick hands to smack grounders to the left side of the infield and his plus-plus speed to beat them out. He opens up early at the plate in an attempt to get down the line as fast as possible, yet he still manages to make repeated contact. Though he'll never be a slugger, he has enough bat speed and projectable strength to hit 15 or more homers per season once he learns to look for pitches he can drive. 

Payne focuses on getting on base and creating havoc with his speed. The former Houston recruit has good instincts on the bases and in center field, where he has the ingredients to become a plus defender. He has fringy-to-average arm strength that's playable in center.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/05/2024	OF Braylon Payne assigned to Carolina Mudcats from ACL Brewers.
	08/05/2024	OF Braylon Payne assigned to ACL Brewers.
	07/23/2024	Milwaukee Brewers signed OF Braylon Payne.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated OF Braylon Payne.
	05/29/2024	College Workout activated OF Braylon Payne.
	08/09/2023	OF Braylon Payne assigned to High School Workout.
	07/21/2023	OF Braylon Payne assigned to TSA South.