clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Minnesota Twins Draft Report

New, 2 comments

Instead of taking polished strike throwers with average stuff and athletic outfielders, the Twins went with a variety of players this season. They took a lot of middle infield talent and quite a few collegiate pitchers but they also took a few high upside prep arms and a power hitting corner infielder. Signing the players after the 5th round may be tough but Burdi, Hochstatter and Howard could be worth the money.

1     Levi Michael , SS , North Carolina

Michael could be an average MLB SS with a good eye, good bat and minimal power, maybe 10 HR's at his peak. He may not have the range to stay at SS but could handle 2B very well. He  will be a contributor at the big league level.

1s Travis Harrison , OF/3B , Tustin (Calif.) HS

Harrison was drafted as a 3B, could be athletic enough to play LF but is likely a 1B down the line. He could be a middle of the lineup power hitter with a .260-.270 average perenially.

1s   Hudson  Boyd , P , South Fort Myers HS, FL

Boyd is big, thick power pitcher with quite a bit of polish of a power pitching high school arm. He has a hard breaking curveball to go with his 90-94 MPH fastball. He will need to watch his weight though.     

2     Madison Boer , RHP , Oregon

Boer was a Minnesota high school product but headed to Oregon. He pitched out of the bullpen this season and showed a 93-96 MPH fastball and a knockout slider. The Twins could try him as a starter but he is more likely a back of the bullpen kind of guy.       

3 Corey Williams , LHP , Vanderbilt

Williams is a hard throwing lefty. He can sit 94-95 out of the bullpen. He has a decent breaking ball that could be an average pitch as well. He won't be more than a bullpen arm, most likely, but the Twins know better than any team how important that can be.

4     Matt Summers , RHP , University of California - Irvine

Summers is funky. He always pitches from the stretch, whether there are runners on or not and he has a short quick delivery. He is a converted position player but he has a low to mid 90's fastball and he has a fresh arm so starting could be an option.

5 Tyler Grimes , SS , Wichita State

I'm a little surprised Grimes lasted this long. He is a college SS that has a chance to stick at SS. He has a solid glove but it won't him any trophies. He may even end up sliding to 2B if he loses a step. His bat is solid. He has some pop but he swings like he's a 6'4, 230 LB power hitter and he's half a foot short of that. It could get him in trouble once he starts facing better pitching but if he cuts back his swing and goes the other way a little more, he could be a good middle infielder.

6 Ivan Rodriguez , CF , Monsignor Edward Pace HS (FL)

7 Steven Gruver , LHP , Tennessee

8 Jason Wheeler , LHP , Loyola Marymount University

9 Adam Bryant , SS , Troy

10 Brett Lee , LHP , St. Petersburg JC

11 Tyler Jones , RHP , LSU

12 Matthew Koch , C , Loyola Marymount University

13 Steven Evans , LHP , Liberty University

14 Adam McCreery , LHP , Bonita HS (CA)

15 Josue Montanez , LHP , Miami Dade CC South

16 Austin Malinowski , LHP , Centennial HS (MN)

17 Joshua Burris , RHP , Louisiana St U at Eunice

18 Corey Kimes , LHP , Illinois

19 Tyler Koelling , CF , U Southern Mississippi

20 Brian Anderson , SS , Deer Creek (Edmond, Okla.)

21 Michael Howard , LHP , Prescott, Prescott, AZ

Howard is a lefty that can throw in the low 90's and has a lot of potential. He has a ways to go though and may fulfill his commitment to Baylor but could be a late round steal if he signed.              

22 James Ramsey , RF , Florida St U

23 Timothy Shibuya , RHP , UC San Diego

24    Nick Burdi , RHP ,  South Downers Grove, IL

Not including his erratic spring where he threw in the mid 80's up to the mid 90's, he is a top of the draft talent. He could have been a first rounder if he would have had a good spring but he didn't and now is likely to end up at Louisville. If the Twins would open the checkbook, they could have essentially an extra supplemental 1st round talent with Burdi. At his best, he throws in the low to mid 90's and has a nasty slider from a low 3/4 delivery.

25 Adam Pettersen , SS , Minnesota

26 Trenton Higginbothem , 3B , Pace, Pace, FL

27 Chris Mazza , RHP , Menlo Col

28 David Hurlbut , LHP , Cal St Fullerton

29 Derek Thompson , LHP , Teutopolis HS (IL)

30 Will Clinard , RHP , Vanderbilt

31 Garrett Jewell , RHP , Southern New Hampshire U

32 Dylan Chavez , LHP , American River Col

33 Stephen Wickens , SS , Florida Gulf Coast U

34 Ryan Tella , CF , Ohlone Col

35 Phillip Chapman , C , U Memphis

36 Austin Barrois , OF , Belle Chasse HS (LA)

37 Andrew Leachman , LF , Birmingham Southern Col

38 Alexander Keudell , RHP , Oregon

39 Edwin McCord , RHP , Spanish Fort HS (AL)

40 Kyle Barraclough , RHP , St Marys Col

41 Trevor Oakes , RHP , Minnesota

42 Matthew Tomshaw , LHP , Jacksonville U

43 Robert O'Neill , RHP , Biola U

44 Cole Johnson , RHP , Notre Dame

45 Julio Torres , 2B , Puerto Rico BB Academy HS

46 Jared Dettmann , LHP , Somerset High School, Somerset, WI

47   John Hochstatter , LHP , San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.)

Hochstatter is another prep arm that is likely unsignable but could be special. He has an 88-90 MPH fastball and knows how to pitch. His secondary stuff is also pretty polished. He is commited to Vanderbilt and could take over where Grayson Garvin left off.

48 Garret Peterson , RHP , Du Bois Area HS (PA)

49 Drake Roberts , 2B , Brenham HS (TX)

50 Bryan Burgher , RHP , Emerald Ridge HS (WA)