Thread: Article: 2012 MLB Draft starting to come into focus

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Where does this year's draft talent stack up against other or "normal" draft's talent? I have the impression that the talent is down this year, but I may be wrong.

I've heard it is down, but there's no way of actually knowing that. I'm working on some draft preview kind of stories too and finding that it's really impossible to project.

I was thinking how herculean a task it would be to make a determination of talent in one draft compared to another, but no so difficult to compare the talent 1-10. I do think the 1-10 projections this year are not as talented comparatively, but what the heck do I know.

Consider that in each draft, somewhere around 1600 players get drafted. Maybe 50-55% of them sign.

Even just analysing the first ten rounds, we're talking about 350-400 players. Can we analyze the draft before the draft? Can we even analyze it 5 or even 10 years later? Probably not. I've looked back 30+ years. It's incredible.

Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

I've heard it is down, but there's no way of actually knowing that. I'm working on some draft preview kind of stories too and finding that it's really impossible to project.

I've heard that it is down on top end talent but deep overall, especially in pitching. Guys like Appel and Zimmer would've been on the bottom of the top 10 or early teens last year but buxton and zunino could've been top 5. I don't think this really affects us because we have a top 2 pick. I really think that the weakness in this draft is due to all the questions around players whether it's injuries or inconsistencies. There is some really good talent though and I think draft experts are gonna be surprised with how well this draft turns out.

Consensus is that the talent is waaaaaaaayyyyy down at the top of the draft. Buxton is rated slightly worse than Starling, and the consensus said Starling was drafted too high. The top pick this year would maybe have gone 8-10 last year. While it may be true that this is a deep draft, that doesn't matter at all for the 2nd pick. As usual, the Minnesota team gets hosed with its top pick after a miserable previous season. What's really sad is that last year's pitchers were all the guys the Twins need this year:

Bauer
Cole
Bundy
Hultzen
Bradley
and then there's Anthony Rendon, a 3B/2B who could quickly take Valencia's spot (Sano's going to end up corner OF)

The Twins would have taken ANY of those five pitchers long before any pitcher this year. Zimmer might have some possibilities, but I think Houston will take him if he's good enough to go #2, which is debatable. Appel is getting hit and not striking guys out at a good enough rate for a very high pick (3.32 ERA in 57 IP, 55 K as of last week). This looks bad. Right now the safest pick Zunino. Giolito would have been the first pick, I think, and I guess now I'm following Gausman, Wacha, and Stroman. All these guys are reaches right now, but maybe two will look better come June.

I quit reading as soon as you mentioned drafting for need. Terry Ryan cant assess the current needs of the club let alone the needs of the club 3 years down the road when these prospects are ready. Stick to the. NFL draft Cody you have shown you know nothing about mlb draft logic.

My take is Cody was not advocating the draft for need philosophy, just stating that it is a option. Which it is. Is it the best, probably not. But I can see where having another high tools high school outfielder would not be something to make most Twins fans hearts stop from excitement. It would however make someone like Aaron Hicks or Joe Benson expendable to a trade however, if either hit enough this year to make themselves attractive to another team. Could that bring a arm the Twins could use at the top of the roatation at some point. Maybe. Stock piling assests is not a bad thing. Me I kind of like the Catcher, that it a position of need.

I sure hope they just draft whoever they think is the best player. If Buxton falls to #2, they better not pass him up solely on the fact that they've got organizational depth in the OF.

Originally Posted by dave_dw

I sure hope they just draft whoever they think is the best player. If Buxton falls to #2, they better not pass him up solely on the fact that they've got organizational depth in the OF.

I highly doubt the Twins have a major league starting calibur outfield in their system outside of Sano (if he doesnt end up at 1b).

Hicks, Benson, and Revere all appear to be fringe mlb starters at best and all have had enough time in the minors that you wonder if they will ever make it.

I gotta say, I'm intrigued about Zunino at #2. If Buxton goes to Houston (a big if) an eventual Mauer/Zunino C/DH platoon could be pretty impressive.

Comparing to last year is odd. It is considered the deepest draft ever. That said, if they pass on a pitcher, I have no idea how this team will ever get one.

I think that right now, conclusions can be made about the NFL draft only The MLB rule 4 draft is still far away. A couple of wildcards in those lists you see out there: The people who make the lists spend time scouting in the US and centered on certain areas in the US particularly. At some point later this spring we will start hearing about talent in Puerto Rico and Canada. Also, some of the kids, esp. high school would have developed until last time seen by the people who make lists. Still too early, but I think that the Twins should get the pitcher with the highest potential (which is different that the 'most ready now' pitcher) with the #2 overall pick

Originally Posted by mike wants wins

Comparing to last year is odd. It is considered the deepest draft ever. That said, if they pass on a pitcher, I have no idea how this team will ever get one.

Over Zunino? I just want the best player available. If this really is a deep draft, I would rather take a sure thing position player up top and use 3 of the next 4 picks on pitching. Pitching is just so volatile in terms of outcomes. I'd rather get the best position player available.

Since I never see them trading for or signing a starting pitcher that is great and in his prime earning years, yes, I want a pitcher with the highest upside.

You can get good pitchers elsewhere in the Top 72 where the Twins have 5 picks. The #2 needs to be as close to a sure thing as possible. If the best player was a pitcher by a mile by the time June comes around, then sure. But that doesn't appear to be the case here. A lot could happen, but right now I think Zunino's the guy.

I like Zunino and Correa the best. If they choose to take a pitcher, please take Zimmer over Appel. No need to choose another pitch to contact type with the #2 pick.

Kevin Goldstein answered the "strength of this draft class" question on Twitter a few days ago. On the 20-80 scouting scale, he had last years Draft class as a 65-70, this years as a 40-45, so it's a below average class according to him. Also stated that this years potential #1 picks wouldn't have been picked in the top 5 last year.

Originally Posted by twinswon1991

Hicks, Benson, and Revere all appear to be fringe mlb starters at best and all have had enough time in the minors that you wonder if they will ever make it.

Career Minor league PA and OPS for:

Revere: 1668, .788
Benson: 2431, .797
Hicks: 1603, .786
Denard Span: 2428, .711
Michael Cuddyer: 2912, .868