2012 Shadow Twins Draft: Final Summary with Bonuses

Final 2012 Minnesota Twins Shadow Draft

Here is how my 2012 Minnesota Twins Shadow Draft turned out, with bonuses included. Bonuses were determined in the following manner: If the player's real life bonus was more than the slot value, I went with the real life bonus. If the slot value was greater than the real life bonus, I went with the slot value, except for Kevin Gausman (who would apparently have accepted the $6,000,000 that the Twins gave Byron Buxton in real life) and college seniors who have no leverage. None of my picks past the 10^th round went beyond the $100,000 limit in those rounds.

I end up $243,000 below my draft allowance. So actually, even if I give Gausman full slot amount of $6,200,000 ($200,000 more than Buxton got), I would still come out right at budget. Alternatively, I could use some of that money to not screw over college seniors Austin Nola and Danny Poma so badly. In any event, my Shadow Draft had a similar goal to what the Real Twins did: adding power arms to the system.

However, I went with more high school guys than they did in real life. We'll see whose approach turns out better. I'm happy with this overall: I got my two favorite hard-throwing college pitchers with Gausman and Sanburn, and three of my favorite high school arms with Berrios, Brown, and Underwood, plus the intriguing Damion Carroll. I added some bats with power potential, a good defensive shortstop in Nola, and a strong leadoff type in McGruder. I also added three catchers I like with Maile, Rodriguez, and Lucas.

1) Kevin Gausman, RHP, Louisiana State University $6,000,000. (-200,000 below slot). My favorite college pitcher in the draft.
1S) J.O. Berrios, RHP, Papa Juan XXIII HS, Bayamon, Puerto Rico $1,550,000: Loved this real Twins pick.
1S) Mitchell Brown, RHP, Century HS, Rochester, Minnesota $1,270,000: Perhaps an emotional decision given his local ties, but I like cold-weather arms from the Midwest.
2) Duane Underwood, RHP, Pope HS, Marietta, Georgia $1,105,000 (+231,500 over slot): Erratic but a terrific ceiling.
2) Nolan Sanburn, RHP, University of Arkansas $712,600: High ceiling, and a fresh arm for a college guy.

3) Adam Brett Walker, OF, Jacksonville University $490,400: Risky, but lots of tools. I agree with Twins decision to pick him.
4) Christian Walker, 1B, University of South Carolina $356,700: Lacks tools, but a polished bat.
5) Austin Nola, SS, Louisiana State University $75,000 (-192,100 below slot): Great glove, great makeup, and there is a chance he can hit.

6) Damion Carroll, RHP, King George HS, King George, VA $200,000: Outstanding arm strength, very raw.
7) Wilfredo Rodriguez, C, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy $185,000 (+35,000 over slot): I like the Puerto Rico guys. Good potential on both sides of the ball.
8) Luke Maile, C, University of Kentucky $140,100: Power bat in college, chance to be a decent defender.
9) Jamodrick McGruder, 2B, Texas Tech University $130,800: Speed, OBP ability, great name.
10) Danny Poma, OF, Hofstra University $7,500 (-117,500 below slot): More tools than the average senior.

11) T.J. Oakes, RHP, University of Minnesota: Throws strikes, gets grounders, local.
12) Jeremy Lucas, C, Indiana State University: Defense took a step forward, and he can hit too.
13) Thomas Harlan, LHP, Fresno State University: Strike-thrower, tall and thin.
14) Ben Klimesh, RHP, Trinity University (TX): Throws hard, good Division III track record.
16) Ronnie Richardson, OF, University of Central Florida: Undersized, but draws walks, fast, some pop.

17) Blake Schwartz, RHP, Oklahoma City University: From Minnesota, good small college record.
18) Jeremy Schaffer, C, Tulane University: Scouts don't like him, but a great track record.
19) Jharel Cotton, RHP, East Carolina University: High strikeout guy, was throwing 98 in summer ball.
20) Jimmy Rider, SS, Kent State University: Scrappy, great organization player.

21) Mark Ginther, 3B, Oklahoma State University: Good tools, no performance, sleeper type.
22) Lance Breedlove, RHP, Purdue University: Solid organization pitcher with a chance to surprise.
24) Lucas Herbst, OF, Santa Clara University: Need someone to play the outfield.
25) Josh Smith, LHP, Wichita State University: Solid organization pitcher with a chance to surprise.
26) Mason McVay, LHP, Florida International University: Solid organization pitcher with a chance to surprise.

27) Goose Kallunki, 3B, Utah Valley State University: Best name ever.
28) Carson Goldsmith, RHP, Northwestern State University: Real Twins pick
30) Bryan Santy, C, University of Washington: Real Twins pick
33) Kaleb Merck, RHP, Texas Christian University: Real Twins pick
34) Bryan Haar, OF, University of San Diego: Real Twins pick