Ryan Braun had a short stint in the minors before a 14-year career with the Brewers

Ryan Braun might have been the last can't-miss prospect the Milwaukee Brewers have had.

Yet, then-general manager Doug Melvin and the Brewers felt it was important for the eventual 2011 National League MVP to experience every rung of the minor-league ladder.

"I remember going into when we drafted Ryan, my bull-headedness said, 'OK, every player we draft has to play at each level, just a little bit,' " Melvin recalled. "Ryan came out of the draft and I think he felt he could go to the big leagues when we brought him in for the press conference (to introduce him)."

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Braun acknowledged that he did believe he could go straight to the majors, and then went out and made short work of the minors on his way to a record-setting career with the Brewers. He was able to make a quick impact in his rookie season in 2007 as he won the National League Rookie of the Year award. In that season, Braun played in 113 games and had 146 hits, 34 home-runs, 97 RBIs and his batting average was .324.

During his 14 years with Milwaukee, Braun was named an all-star six times and won the Silver Slugger award five times in addition to winning the MVP.

On Saturday, Braun was recognized for his overall body of work when he joined the Brewers Wall of Honor with former teammate Jonathan Lucroy. Prince Fielder was also honored, as he became the 21st player to be enshrined into the Brewers Walk of Fame.

Before Braun went on to accomplish anything at the professional level, he was another prospect on a draft board.

"Prior to the draft I would get with Jack (Zduriencik, former Milwaukee Brewers scouting director) and ask, 'Who are we going to draft?'" Melvin said. "He said if Ryan Braun is there, we're taking him."

The Brewers then took Braun fifth overall in the draft after three years at the University of Miami. Braun played 227 games across the minors and fall baseball, adjusting to being a pro and seeing how many talented guys there were who weren't in the majors.

"I think the biggest adjustment was just getting used to playing every day," Braun said. "The biggest thing is just getting the body used to playing every day and the recovery aspect.

"Then, also, I think it gives you a level of appreciation for the talent that's out there. There's so many good players."

When Braun was playing for the Class A West Virginia Power in 2005, Melvin went to see Braun play.

"I remember going into Charleston, West Virginia to see you play and all you did was hit line drives to the outfield," Melvin said in addressing Braun during Saturday's ceremony. "Never saw you roll over on a curveball, ground ball. Never saw swings and misses. I'm telling myself, 'We'll be bringing him up sooner.' "

Across 227 games in the minors and fall baseball, Braun had 272 hits, 49 home runs and 171 RBIs.

"I think that you've come to the big leagues, you were ready," Melvin said when addressing Braun.

Braun proved he was ready and finished his career as the franchise leader in home runs while also authoring some of the team's most thrilling moments. Braun had 1,963 hits, 352 home runs and 1,154 RBIs in his career.

"I remember the home run off Clay Hensley of the Marlins that got us in the playoffs (in 2011)," Melvin said. "There's lots of other big moments."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ryan Braun had short stint in minor leagues before a 14-year career