2013 Draft

With the end of the 2012 season (thank goodness it is finally over), I believe now would be a good time to start discussing the possible candidates for the Twins to choose with their fourth overall pick next year.

The prospects that I have heard the most about are Mark Appel, Ryne Stanek, and, just recently, Seth Manaea (I am only mentioning pitchers because I can really only see the Twins drafting a pitcher in the 4 slot. Appel, who was drafted this year at #8 (probably because he is represented by Boras), and didn't sign because he was looking for more than any team was willing to risk. Stanek is a good lefty that was drafted in 2010 by the Mariners, didn't sign, and just missed the cutoff for the 2012 draft, so he is entering in this draft and is looking like the #2 RHP option (could jump to #1 with a great performance this year) behind Appel. Manaea has just entered the conversation with a monster Cape Cod season. He is looking like he could be the top lefty taken in the draft this year.

Anybody else want to chime in? go right ahead :jump:

Not sold on the fact the Twins will take a pitcher #1. I like everyone you mentioned, Manaea the best, Stanek, then Appel. But that's only 3 names and we pick 4th, and there's a drop off at pitcher after that. Austin Wilson? Clint Frazier? Austin Meadows? I'm hoping a clear cut top 4 or 5 player emerge and the Twins get one of player people thought about at 1-1.

Theree is still a whole spring of college and high school ball yet to be played. There is however they have a season inPuerto Rico yet to be played.. How will you know if Oscar Mercado is the real deal?

college/high scouting for the draft is definately NOT my forte.....you guys that do, do a fantastic job.....keep it up

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Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

college/high scouting for the draft is definately NOT my forte.....you guys that do, do a fantastic job.....keep it up

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This years pitching class is one of the weakest Pitching classes ever. Much like last year's class, their is no for sure ACE in this draft. The year before produced several potential aces (Bundy,Gerrit Cole,Archie Bradley,Bauer). The 3 college pitchers (Appel,Stanek,Manaea) project to be #2's or #3's. Seeing the majority of the HIgh SChool first round talent, I think that Clint Frazier will be the best player from this class. Austin Meadows is likely to be a top 4 pick, and could end up being the Twins pick. The Twins are in desperate need of pitching, so their hand may be forced to take one of the 3 collegiate arms. Clint Frazier is a Left Fielder who is extremely athletic, who hits for average and has a decent amount of power. 2 High Schoolers that could make their way into the top 15 are Nick Ciuffo and Zack Collins.

The Twins should take best player available no matter what whether it be a SP, C, SS, or another speedy OF. The team is 3-5 years at least from competing so there is no need to reach for anyone. They need to pray that the 2014 draft ends up as strong as the epic 2011 draft so they can get an "ace upside" arm picking in the top 5.

I think the Twins will have options at P and OF, obviously, as there were many names mentioned above. One guy that I think is worth keeping an eye on is Jeremy Martinez, a HS catcher from California. The organization depth at catcher isn't great and Martinez is viewed as someone who can stay at the position and hit. The top of the first round might be a little early, but as we saw in 2012, taking a guy with a lower demand and banking some savings can really pay dividends later in the draft.

disagree on the large concept, they should take the best pitcher out there, unless there is a shortstop that is far and ahead better. No need for an Outfielder, the system is full of them, even if half of them pan out they are fine there.

Despite the lack of depth in the system you still take the BPA. Nobody will complain if they end up with an elite OF'er instead of an average starter. You can find average players elsewhere but elite players are what puts a team over the top. And if possible that's what you should be targeting at #4.

I hope that the BPA is a pitcher though because the Twins definitely need one.

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Originally Posted by kab21

Despite the lack of depth in the system you still take the BPA. Nobody will complain if they end up with an elite OF'er instead of an average starter. You can find average players elsewhere but elite players are what puts a team over the top. And if possible that's what you should be targeting at #4.

I hope that the BPA is a pitcher though because the Twins definitely need one.

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Hmm, I call BS. Nobody should complain, but they will.

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Originally Posted by FirstRoundBust

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Originally Posted by kab21

Despite the lack of depth in the system you still take the BPA. Nobody will complain if they end up with an elite OF'er instead of an average starter. You can find average players elsewhere but elite players are what puts a team over the top. And if possible that's what you should be targeting at #4.

I hope that the BPA is a pitcher though because the Twins definitely need one.

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Hmm, I call BS. Nobody should complain, but they will.

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I would have no problem if they take another OF, if they trade some. They have way too many OFs in the system right now and they better start trading them before they become Angel Morales.

If this year's SP class is relatively weak, without the projectable front end guy, it would be pretty fun to see the team draft a high end SS who will stick with the position. They have been there in the top ten in the past couple of drafts. Anyone have any idea if they will/could be there this year?

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Originally Posted by FirstRoundBust

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Originally Posted by kab21

Despite the lack of depth in the system you still take the BPA. Nobody will complain if they end up with an elite OF'er instead of an average starter. You can find average players elsewhere but elite players are what puts a team over the top. And if possible that's what you should be targeting at #4.

I hope that the BPA is a pitcher though because the Twins definitely need one.

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Hmm, I call BS. Nobody should complain, but they will.

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They will certainly complain on draft day but they won't be complaining when that OF'er has a >.900 OPS in the majors instead of getting a high 3's ERA starter.

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Originally Posted by Mave

If this year's SP class is relatively weak, without the projectable front end guy, it would be pretty fun to see the team draft a high end SS who will stick with the position. They have been there in the top ten in the past couple of drafts. Anyone have any idea if they will/could be there this year?

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JP Crawford and Oscar Mercado are the 2 top shortstops. They are both great fielders, but cannot hit as well. They are a "Poor mans Lindor" and will go in the range from 10-15.
The top Player in the class of 2014 is a 3Baseman. Jan Hernandez.

I have no problem taking another OFer, if they would be willing to deal top prospects for other players. However, they have never, ever, not once, done that under Ryan. If you won't do that, and you won't sign big time free agents, the only way to get pitching is to draft it.

I love how people are saying Appel can't strike guys out (another thread), and that he's a number 3 starter. Not one scouting report on line says those things, not one. If you could get a guy that is about 70-80% likely to be a number 2 starter, and who is ready to pitch in the majors in 2013 or 2014, would you trade the 4th pick if you were allowed to trade them? I would. So why not just take him (assuming he stays healthy)? They have zero, not one, starter in the minors as good as Appel.

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Originally Posted by kab21

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Originally Posted by FirstRoundBust

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Originally Posted by kab21

Despite the lack of depth in the system you still take the BPA. Nobody will complain if they end up with an elite OF'er instead of an average starter. You can find average players elsewhere but elite players are what puts a team over the top. And if possible that's what you should be targeting at #4.

I hope that the BPA is a pitcher though because the Twins definitely need one.

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Hmm, I call BS. Nobody should complain, but they will.

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They will certainly complain on draft day but they won't be complaining when that OF'er has a >.900 OPS in the majors instead of getting a high 3's ERA starter.

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Disagree, if they still have zero pitchers, and 6 outfielders, I'll still be complaining about that OFer. And, really, what are the odds a HS player has a .900 OPS, vs Appel being successful. What are the odds? Maybe 10-20% on the OFer, but Appel is very much more likely to be a good starting pitcher, not guaranteed, but much more likely.

I guess you're right about the complaining part. After all there was complaining this year that the Twins didn't take a toolsy OF'er named Trout instead of a top 5 talent pitcher. and that was before Trout played like Mays this year. And there has been complaining that the Twins didn't take Appel instead of Buxton. There was even complaining that the twins didn't take ethan Martin because he had the magical stuff instead of Aaron Hicks a few years ago. some are just born complainers.

I'm not sure if you know this but there's only one Appel in the draft this year. I like him at #4 (if he's there) but I'll take another OF'er if he is the BPA. Of course that toolsy OF'er might bust but the track record of pitchers in the top 9 picks for nearly a decade is pretty mediocre also. Let's not forget that some consider this to be a mediocre year for pitching. The list looks even worse if you take out the 3 no doubt elite draft prospects (Prior, Verlander, and Price).

Pitchers in the top 9 from 2001-2009

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Prior
Brazelton
Floyd
Karp
Chris Smith
VanBenschoten
Griffin
Bullington
Gruler
Loewen
Everts
Greinke
Francis
Sleeth
Stauffer
Maholm
Danks
Verlander
Humber
Niemann
Rogers
Sowers
Bailey
Townsend
Romero
Pelfrey
Hochevar
Reynolds
Lincoln
Morrow
Andrew Miller
Kershaw
Price
Moskos
Detwiler
Weathers
Parker
Matusz
Crow
Strasburg
Hobgood
Wheeler

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BPA has it's limits (especially when trading for potential pitching prospects is like pulling teeth). I agree that if there's one clear cut guy far above the rest that you take him. I'm not sure that was the case this year with Buxton, nor is it the case looking at what we have so far next year. The Twins need pitching, and something that can help sooner than later. Guys like Zimmer, Gausman, and Appel (though there were obvious signability issues there) could have been pitching in AA this season and be a potential call up next year.

Sure, I love those toolsy guys, but baseball history is littered with toolsy players that never made it. Those college pitchers may never be Santana part two, but their floors were a Scott Baker and the likeliness that they hit that is pretty high. Given the team's abundance of OF guys and the org needs, I would have thought that this was a no-brainer.

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Those college pitchers may never be Santana part two, but their floors were a Scott Baker and the likeliness that they hit that is pretty high.

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The list above that I posted (all pitchers #1-#9 from 2001-2009) indicate that their floors were probably not Scott Baker and that it was unlikely that they hit it.

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Originally Posted by kab21

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Those college pitchers may never be Santana part two, but their floors were a Scott Baker and the likeliness that they hit that is pretty high.

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The list above that I posted (all pitchers #1-#9 from 2001-2009) indicate that their floors were probably not Scott Baker and that it was unlikely that they hit it.

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Despite evidence to the contrary, I will believe what I want.