Official 2014 Draft Day Thread, Day 2

[Brock Beauchamp]

The second day of the draft starts today with the pre-draft show firing up at MLB.com at 11:30am. Rounds 3-10 will be streamed for most of the day.

 

MLB Draft Page: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2014/index.jsp

 

Day 1 Draft Thread: http://twinsdaily.com/showthread.php/11813-Official-2014-Draft-Day-Thread-Day-1

 

Who will the Twins take in the third round?

[diehardtwinsfan]

Hopefully lots of highschool pitching.

[Seth Stohs]

Though the odds of players making it to the big leagues lessens as the rounds go on, remember that Brian Dozier was the Twins 8th round pick in 2009 after his senior season in college. Draft picks come in all shapes, sizes and ages and you never know which will make it. It's always interesting to see what they do.

[gunnarthor]

I don't know a lot about who is left but Chris Oliver could be interesting - although he might end up in the pen. I'm a big fan of Jackson Reetz, the catching prospect. Would jump on him if we could. Carson Sands is an intriguing lefty from North Florida Christian and his teammate OFer Matthew Railey would both look good too.

[cmb0252]

Law's best available:

 

29. Jake Bukauskas, RHP, Stone Bridge (Va.) HS

32. Bryce Montes de Oca, RHP, Lawrence (Kan.) HS

36. Zech Lemond, RHP, Rice

38. Jackson Reetz, C/OF, Hickman (Neb.) HS

47. Mac Marshall, RHP, Parkview (Ga.) HS

48. Dylan Cease, RHP, Milton (Ga.) HS

59. Brett Graves, RHP, Missouri

61. Jeren Kendall, OF, Holmen (Wis.) HS

62. Bobby Bradley, 3B, Harrison Central HS (Gulfport, Miss.)

 

Bukauskus, Montes de Oca and Kendall are probably all unsignable/massive over-slot guys at this point, although I expect all three will get calls tonight from teams looking to see if $1.5-2 million is enough to buy them out of their college commitment.

 

Lemond came back from missing time with a sore elbow that resulted directly from misuse at Rice, and teams are afraid to take a Rice pitcher to begin with. But Lemond has shown he's healthy and represents great value at this point. Cease has an elbow injury but opted for platelet-rich plasma treatment rather than surgery, and could still be signable for a team willing to take on the risk that he'll need Tommy John surgery down the road. Graves' stock wasn't helped by playing for a miserable team that missed the SEC tournament, but I think he'll go in the third round as one of the few good college starters left on the board.

[cmb0252]

Callis' top 3 available:

 

1. J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, Stone Bridge HS, Ashburn, Va. Bukauskas sent teams an email in May, asking them not to draft him because he planned on attending North Carolina, and they apparently took him at his word. He created a stir when he threw 94-97 mph in the first inning of his first start in March and he maintained that velocity throughout this spring. Most teams project him as a reliever because he's 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but it's hard not to love that arm strength.

2. Jakson Reetz, C, Norris HS, Firth, Neb. Arguably the best all-around prep catcher available, Reetz starred on the amateur circuit last summer and fall. He was named MVP at the Perfect Game All-America Classic and hit .435 to help the U.S. 18-and-under team with the World Cup. More athletic than most catchers, he has a quick bat and the potential for average power. He also has solid arm strength and should develop into a dependable receiver.

3. Milton Ramos, SS, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla. The top defensive player in the Draft, Ramos has classic infield actions, good range to both sides, soft hands and a strong, accurate arm. Scouts aren't as enthralled by his bat, as he'll need to get stronger and make more consistent contact. He does flash some power during batting practice, so there is hope for him at the plate.

[2wins87]

I'm not sure how signable the top available high school talent is. I'd still like to see the Twins get some high school pitching. I like Keaton McKinney and Keith Weisenberg as projectable guys with already solid stuff.

[markos]

I like Marshall and Reetz, and in general I think some more position players with upside would be good.

[cmb0252]

From Kiley McDaniel:

Bukauskas - He asked teams not to be drafted and has said all along the reason he re-classified from the 2015 class was to get to UNC quicker, so teams believe he's truly unsignable at any number and thus he may go undrafted through all 40 rounds despite 1st round talent

 

Marshall faded down the stretch and apparently won't be an easy sign even if he goes in the top 50 picks as it sounded like he might a month or two in the past. He went so far as to say publicly that he'd only sign if taken in the first round. Some scouts turned him in as a 3rd-4th rounder and buzz is building that he'll get to LSU

 

McKinney - He apparently wants over $1 million (the last 7 figure slot is at pick 56) and I have him ranked a little higher than most teams, so the belief is he'll go to Arkansas.

 

Cease - The Vandy commit will likely get Tommy John surgery and is a 6'1 righty, but he hit 100 mph on some guns early in the year and the belief is he'll get and accept a 7 figure offer, though it isn't a sure thing.

[gunnarthor]

Law's best available:

 

29. Jake Bukauskas, RHP, Stone Bridge (Va.) HS

32. Bryce Montes de Oca, RHP, Lawrence (Kan.) HS

36. Zech Lemond, RHP, Rice

38. Jackson Reetz, C/OF, Hickman (Neb.) HS

47. Mac Marshall, RHP, Parkview (Ga.) HS

48. Dylan Cease, RHP, Milton (Ga.) HS

59. Brett Graves, RHP, Missouri

61. Jeren Kendall, OF, Holmen (Wis.) HS

62. Bobby Bradley, 3B, Harrison Central HS (Gulfport, Miss.)

 

Bukauskus, Montes de Oca and Kendall are probably all unsignable/massive over-slot guys at this point, although I expect all three will get calls tonight from teams looking to see if $1.5-2 million is enough to buy them out of their college commitment.

 

Lemond came back from missing time with a sore elbow that resulted directly from misuse at Rice, and teams are afraid to take a Rice pitcher to begin with. But Lemond has shown he's healthy and represents great value at this point. Cease has an elbow injury but opted for platelet-rich plasma treatment rather than surgery, and could still be signable for a team willing to take on the risk that he'll need Tommy John surgery down the road. Graves' stock wasn't helped by playing for a miserable team that missed the SEC tournament, but I think he'll go in the third round as one of the few good college starters left on the board.

Graves would be a nice Twins pick. I think Lemond is a reliever and they won't draft him after nabbing Burdi. Although they could grab him and let him continue on his reliever to starter run .... mike wants wins will love that.

[cmb0252]

Ryan mentioned he would like to see the Twins draft some LHPing but outside of Marshall, whom might not be signable, all the top names are gone.

[Mike Sixel]

Graves would be a nice Twins pick. I think Lemond is a reliever and they won't draft him after nabbing Burdi. Although they could grab him and let him continue on his reliever to starter run .... mike wants wins will love that.

 

At least this year they didn't take injured relievers and try to make them starters.....so they seem to be learning from the past.....

 

Based on very limited research, I want Reetz the most right now. A Rice pitcher? May as well take gunnarthor and use the savings to sign someone else.....

[gunnarthor]

I'm not sure if this should be a different thread but, what did people think about other teams drafts? I liked Houston taking Aiken and Fischer although I'm not a big fan of Reed. I have no idea what the Cubs are doing. It looked like they took two underslot deals right away. Sadly, the White Sox had a real nice draft - Rodon is a top 30 prospect already and Adams might be their second beset prospect. Cleveland was really into bloodlines - even took Killebrew's grandson. They had a nice first day.

[Mike Sixel]

Really lost faith in the Cubs leadership, though I think I am underestimating the first pick a bit.....really not happy the Sox got Rodon. He'll be in the rotation next year (see Sale), and not waste 3 years in the minors not using his best pitches. Good luck to the Twins in hitting his stuff.

[2wins87]

Toronto and Milwaukee both got some great talent with their three picks, it'll be interesting to see if they are able to sign them all.

[kab21]

Here is the Twins next pick - raw HS lefty - http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/2014-mlb-draft-scouts-size-up-6-foot-5-battlefield-left-hander-nick-wells/2014/06/04/d562af1e-eb3d-11e3-93d2-edd4be1f5d9e_story.html

 

If he's gone then perhaps they go in a different direction taking a solid hitting college OF'er.

 

http://m.mlb.com/tex/video/v33211325/draft-report-nick-torres-college-outfielder

 

They like their Nicks.

[kab21]

At least this year they didn't take injured relievers and try to make them starters.....so they seem to be learning from the past.....

 

Based on very limited research, I want Reetz the most right now. A Rice pitcher? May as well take gunnarthor and use the savings to sign someone else.....

 

They have only made two picks...

[cmb0252]

Here we go. Time to start round 3.

[themattsonian]

Gotta go starting pitcher the next couple rounds here...

[cmb0252]

I'm guessing a college arm...

[nicksaviking]

Wow, another closer.

 

To be fair though, I would have killed to have Cederoth in round 2 before the season started. He might get a shot to start.

[drivlikejehu]

Lol!

[cmb0252]

Michael Cederoth.....another RPer? What the hell.

[DaveW]

I don't know what people expect with 3rd round picks etc, people are going to complain either way.

I love the fact they are taking power arms.

[nicksaviking]

I think last winter we were guessing who would be this year's Jon Gray and shoot up the draft boards. Cederoth was my guess. Then he tanked and got moved to the pen lol.

[maxisagod]

Michael Cederoth.....another RPer? What the hell.

 

I love reading your initial reactions.

[cmb0252]

Didn't make Law's board. 45 on BA's and 95 on Crawford's. 59 on mlb.coms

[cmb0252]

I love reading your initial reactions.

 

I just don't understand drafting RPing arms. Didn't like it in 2012 and don't like it now. I can live with Burdi if they actually fast track him but two in a row?

[twinsfan34]

I'm someone who believes relievers can be had somewhat easily, e.g. Grant Balfour, etc types seem to come out of nowhere.

 

So typically my 'philosophy' would be, grab as many hard throwing starter arms as possible. If they can't develop a 3rd pitch, voila, full effort throwing for 2 pitches = successful MLB reliever.

 

That said, these two guys, Burdi and Cederoth, are guys who have thrown 100 mph and are the hardest throwers in this draft. They also, barring injuries, are pretty much locks to make MLB and likely by next year. So, who knows, if somehow Buxton, Sano, and Rosario are ready to add some bats to the team next year, sign another starter...this is a team that could be above .500 next year. A lot of contingencies for sure, but no more Jared Burton etc.

[ScottyB]

I don't know what people expect with 3rd round picks etc, people are going to complain either way.

I love the fact they are taking power arms.

 

And big bodies as well - 6'6" and 220!