Thread: MLB Draft Discussion: Day 2

MLB Draft Day 2 kicks off at 11AM Central. Twins start the day with picks #63, #72 and #97. Let's use this thread to talk about it.....

I think the biggest question is whether or not either the Astros or the A's will draft Mitch Brown. If not, it would shock me if the Twins didn't take the Rochester Century right-hander. Baseball America has him ranked as the 44th best player overall. Getting that kind of quality at #63 (much less the value of him as a local story) only makes sense.

If they do, they'll have gone through their first four picks in the draft without nabbing a starting college pitcher. I"m not a big "draft for need" guy, but at some point doesn't this team need to address the enormous hole they have in the organization with upper level arms?

I'm all for Mitch Brown at this point, if he's there. Great value (assuming I should trust BA or ESPN at all) given the information we have. There are some good players available according to BA and ESPN. I'm hoping for pitching and middle infielders (if they are good / projectable).

Like several people have been saying, there is still a good chance for the Twins to grab some high-end (or as high-end as you can get in this draft) pitching prospects, including Mitch Brown, who I thought would be gone by now (as he is #51 on the list of Top 100 Prospects). Other high-number "pitching prospects" (not counting Brown) that are still around for now are Hunter Virant (No. 47), Chris Beck (No. 52), and Nolan Sanburn (No. 44). I think all of these guys should be given serious consideration by the Twins, unless someone has seen something different recently to say otherwise.

Why would they risk losing Brown and drafting Bard so high?

If drafting Bard that high is the result of the "BPA" methodology of the Twins, then they need to think differently or get different evaluators. I hope that today is truly a new day . . .

I am predicting that Hunter Virant is the first pick today overall, with Brown falling to the Twins.

With two picks close to each other in the second round, they have a good chance to draft several guys that are similar to each other in abilities, and I wouldn't be suprised if the Twins let Brown go and pick Hunter Virant if he is still available, and then hope that Brown falls to them at their second pick of the second round.

Virant might fall due to signability concerns; I seriously doubt the Twins would draft him. The college starter crop is very weak, so that's probably not an option with the second round picks unless they keep drafting relievers to convert (which would be an unbelievably idiotic thing to do).

Mason Melotakis? Anyone know anything about him? We just drafted him LHP from TX.

Originally Posted by Gernzy

Mason Melotakis? Anyone know anything about him? We just drafted him LHP from TX.

94-96 with a slidder...say he probably lefty specialist who will get a chance to start to refine delivery

Originally Posted by Gernzy

Mason Melotakis? Anyone know anything about him? We just drafted him LHP from TX.

From MLB.com...

The combination of left-handedness and plus velocity will always draw interested parties. That's why this Northwestern State closer is this high on Draft boards. Melotakis has grown into the closer role over the last two years using a fastball-curve combination to finish games. He can dial the fastball up to 96 mph with good arm side tail when he keeps it down in the strike zone. His curve ball is fringy average, but it's enough to keep hitters from sitting on the heater. He commands his fastball very well and has the kind of mentality teams look for in a short reliever. Even if Melotakis doesn't have the stuff to close at the Major League level, the combination of plus fastball and command should make him an effective setup man at the very least.

Well, I guess they will keep drafting relievers. After all, Northwestern State pitchers with a 3.63 ERA out of the bullpen do typically develop into MLB mid-rotation starters.

Originally Posted by SirLoin

From MLB.com...

The combination of left-handedness and plus velocity will always draw interested parties. That's why this Northwestern State closer is this high on Draft boards. Melotakis has grown into the closer role over the last two years using a fastball-curve combination to finish games. He can dial the fastball up to 96 mph with good arm side tail when he keeps it down in the strike zone. His curve ball is fringy average, but it's enough to keep hitters from sitting on the heater. He commands his fastball very well and has the kind of mentality teams look for in a short reliever. Even if Melotakis doesn't have the stuff to close at the Major League level, the combination of plus fastball and command should make him an effective setup man at the very least.

This confuses me. We're really going to use a top 65 pick on a guy who profiles as a good set-up guy?

Originally Posted by Cap'n Piranha

This confuses me. We're really going to use a top 65 pick on a guy who profiles as a good set-up guy?

You mean 2 top 65 picks.

Could Brown fall to #72???

Originally Posted by SirLoin

Could Brown fall to #73???

You want Rockies to draft him? lol

BA had him 88th. ESPN had him 63rd. From ESPN: "I'd try to keep him online, put him in the pen and get him to the majors quickly, but I wouldn't be shocked to see a team try to make him a starter given his size and out pitch in the breaking ball."

Make that 3

Wow....the Twins just must not be high on Brown. We just drafted a Jim Hoey who also apparently plays first base....