Brewers select Tate Kuehner in Seventh Round of 2023 MLB Draft
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville left-handed pitcher Tate Kuehner has been selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with the No. 212 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
He is the second Cardinal to be selected in this year's draft, following shortstop Christian Knapczyk who was taken with the No 161 overall pick by the Cleveland Guardians in the fifth round. In Dan McDonnell's 17-year tenure as head coach, Kuehner is Louisville's 101st MLB Draft selection. He's also the eighth former Cardinal to ever be drafted by Milwaukee, and the first since Ben Metzinger in last year's draft.
Transitioning from a pseudo-starter role in 2022, the 6-foot-1 and 195-pound southpaw wound up being one of Louisville's better relievers this past season. Making 19 overall appearances and two starts, Kuehner posted a 3.99 ERA over 38.1 innings pitched, while striking out 54 batters and only allowing 21 walks. Despite allowing multiple earned runs in five of his outings, 12 of his appearances on the year were clean sheets.
Statistically, his best season came in 2022 as a junior. That year, he made 25 appearances and eight starts, putting up an ERA of 3.57 over 70.2 innings pitched while striking out a career-high 70 batters to only 32 walks. He was named to the NCAA All-Louisville Regional Team after pitching 7.0 scoreless innings over three relief appearances against Southeast Missouri State, Oregon and Michigan, striking out eight batters in the process.
Should he sign with the Brewers, the 212th overall pick has a slot value of $242,400. He would finish his Louisville career with a 3.69 ERA over 165.2 innings pitched in 70 appearances and 14 starts, 193 strikeouts to 83 walks and a .208 opponent's batting average.
(Photo of Tate Kuehner: Maria Lysaker - USA TODAY Sports)
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