Article: Twins Draft Preview: Mock Draft v.1.0

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Relooking over your draft mock and looking at Garrioch's/Crawford's today it just reminds me of how deep this draft is. While there are guys I prefer at #5 I honestly would be fine with about 10+ players. As you noted with Pentecost pick, teams are going to get a few steals. Also, more than last year I'm truly interested with who the Twins take in the second round. Could definitely get a first round type talent. Only 17 more days!

 

I'm curious to see if players try to make deals early instead of falling and costing a couple millions. The gap between #5 and #25 is much greater in money than it is in talent.

[Macneil4025]

Aaron Nola is the best pitcher in this Draft!! Take him and don't even think Twice!

[Monkeypaws]

Part of me is intrigued by Gordon, but I'm deathly afraid that if the Twins take him we'll be hearing about a SS prospect for four years instead of having a major league quality SS on the big club next year. Barring a miracle, SS needs to be the Twins #1 priority in Free Agency during the coming off-season.

 

Santana? Lotsa variables to be sure, but he just might be adequate.

[HansGruber]

If the Twins go with pitching, I like Nola since Rodon and Aiken likely will not be there at #5. I get the sense a lot of people get scared off by the words: safe, low-to-mid 90's and control. He may not be the pitcher with the greatest velocity but there is no denying his dominance in college. He has three good pitches that he can control, pitches deep into games while maintaining velocity (7.1 per start and 2 CG), and has been consistent. There is a lot to like.

I would be just fine with either Jackson or Gordon. Cannot have enough athletic up the middle players or power hitters.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I'm starting to think the Twins will be choosing between Nick Gordon and Tyler Kolek. I'm less sure of Kolek's landing place than ever.

 

I believe it was Jim Callis today who said Aaron Nola is a top-end #3, better than Mike Leake.

 

But Nola might be the preferred choice of the Cubs.... Rodon, Jackson, Aiken, Nola... Twins on the board.

[gunnarthor]

With Kolek I wonder how much it's concern over his secondary pitches. Throwing 100 is nice but if he's a one trick pony, he's a flame out. That pick would kill.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

With Kolek I wonder how much it's concern over his secondary pitches. Throwing 100 is nice but if he's a one trick pony, he's a flame out. That pick would kill.

 

I know there is concern over what else he brings to the table. That is fact. I believe that line was something about his fastball being a good start, but there being a question about his mix.

[mk]

Talking about the risk of drafting a college pitcher with TJ surgery... Is it more risky than the floor of a high school position player? The more I think about it, the more reasonable it sounds to target Hoffman (provided Rodon, Aiken, and Kolek are gone). What is Hoffmans floor now? Is it similar to Nola's? Hoffmans ceiling is still much higher.

[jed54767]

One must remember we play at Target Field. A pitchers heaven and a left handed hitters hell. Granted the Twins have some RH bats with pop on the horizon (Buxton, Sano, Walker) it might be wise to continue with Alex Jackson. I think it's safe to say he is going to end up in RF but the Twins wouldn't have anyone to block him. He will move fast as long as his bat projects. Gordon could be a potential all star at SS but his bat scares me enough to think we can wait for something better. I personally would take Turner before Gordon. More polish, good speed, ability to stick at SS, line drive leadoff type guy who brings a sense of leadership. Kolek looks too much like Stetson Allie. All power and no control. Someone better hope he can hit like Allie in the case where he never finds his command. The Twins most glaring hole is for a #1 starter, but they don't grow on trees. I think they go the safe route and take the bat (Jackson) and hope they already have their ace in Meyer lined up.

[nicksaviking]

I know there is concern over what else he brings to the table. That is fact. I believe that line was something about his fastball being a good start, but there being a question about his mix.

 

I don't think his mix is very good, but what are people expecting, he's a HS kid who throws 100 MPH, obviously he's going to throw what he knows. His secondary stuff will need development but it seems odd that such an obvious concept is only now a concern of front offices around MLB.

[Mike Sixel]

Fangraphs did a study of "best tools" rankings.......for pitchers, "best breaking ball" in system was a better predictor of success than "best fastball", IIRC. Touki pls.