Really starting to become very intrigued by Thames. If he had two seasons like this one, how high would he go?

I think going college hitter first is the best bet at 14. I really feel like you are going to get a quality bat at 14 and I’m just not sold on a lot of the pitchers out there for your first pick. I’m not sure Wallace falls and would be surprised if Alonso is there but one of them certainly could be. I thought you liked Davis more anyhow?

At 27, Fields probably wont be there but Cashner could be and I imagine Wallace will be. Heck maybe even take Thames or Havens at 27 if he is there and hope someone is there at 31.

Either way, just take the best available player that you like.

14: Alonso, Wallace, Davis, Weeks
27: Cashner, Wallace or Thames, Havens
31: Best available player

for the general balance. The Twins generally go for upside guys over polished products. I might go this direction if I’m going for realism:

14: High upside high-school hitter or pitcher, Hicks is ideal
27: Best available college pitcher
31: Best available college hitter

Up to you though.

I think the picks will come down to individual preference and intuition rather than strategy.

There seems to me a clear demarcation between the top 13 (or 12 with Scheppers sidelined) and the rest. The Twins can hope that two or three wild cards crash the party so something with a better risk/reward combination becomes available.

Alonso would be a no brainer, but he’s limited to DH on the Twins—at least until Morneau departs.

Hunt smacks of Daniel Cabrera.

Friedrich is what he is – a #3, maybe. If he was right handed, he wouldn’t be in the top 13. And LHP’s have a minimal platoon advantage over RHP’s as I recall.

Lance Lynn at #27 or #31 might make more sense than Hunt or Friedrich at #14.

Fields and Cashner may be the best closers available. Are they that much better than the closers available after #14 or #27 or 31? There are at least 6 more in the top 60.

Wallace may not have the power to justify spending a #14 on a DH.

Davis certainly has been getting good pitches to hit and appears to have good power. But his plate discipline is suspect and his ability to handle the OF is relatively unknown.

Gillaspie’s defense is suspect. On some boards he’s a supplemental round pick.

Havens has had only one good year. He may be limited to 3B. Will his power play there?

Thames has a weak arm and needs to improve his routes. His routes may become playable in LF, even CF. Will his arm be playable?

Hicks is raw. He has two plus pitches, but poor command. Does he have the makings of a 3rd pitch? He’s a toolsy CF which the Twins have in abundance. Zach Collier might be a better play—more power and I understand a better hit tool.

I would prefer that the Twins draft a toolsy SS with a strong hit tool. Casey Kelly may or may not have the hit tool to justify #14. Tyler Ladendorf has all of the tools at #27 or #31—if his juco production translates to pro ball.

With three picks in the top 31, what about taking a chance on Scheppers at #27?

I think that Davis is the best college bet at 14. I really like Gilaspie at 27 and hope he falls to the Indians. I believe there will be a better college hitter than Thames at 31. There is no college pitcher that would likely fall to 14 that I like better than Davis. Gilaspie again. Same on 31. Still cannot see a college pitcher I like at 14. Still think I like Gilaspie at 27 and Casey Kelly would be my choice at 31.

Well Thames tore his quad yesterday I guess and is done for the season. Not sure what this does to his draft stock but I imagine he falls a little. He should be there at 31 I imagine now and maybe even at 60.