Brewers sign outfielder Braylon Payne and first baseman Blake Burke
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to terms with their top two selections from the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Elkins High School (TX) outfielder Braylon Payne (first round, No. 17 overall) and University of Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke (Competitive Balance Round A, No. 34 overall).
The signings were announced by Vice President of Domestic Scouting Tod Johnson.
Payne, 17, was named High School All-America First Team 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.
The left-handed hitter was the first high school player selected by the Brewers in the first round since Brice Turang (No. 21 overall) in 2018. Prior to signing with Milwaukee, Payne was 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. Burke also garnered All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Defensive Team honors.
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 behind only Christian Moore (61), who was selected No. 8 overall by Los Angeles-AL in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.