Official 2014 Draft Day Thread, Day 2

[MichiganTwins]

I also like the power arms grabs. Two guys who could be in the majors soon. Any word on if Cederoth has a shot at starting?

[rickyhawaii]

i figured the Twins were going to take Cederoth or Lemond. Lemond seems to have more upside though..

[DaveW]

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.

There aren't exactly a lot of hard throwing starters left in the 3rd round...the guys you are looking at that are "sure thing starters" at this point are just more of the same 90-92 that the Twins have plenty of.

 

Additionally Cederoth has the ability to start and throws really, really, really hard. Ideally the Twins can teach him secondary pitches and he can succeed as a starter, however if he doesn't, hell you got another guy who throws 98 who can slot into the bullpen rather quickly.

[DaveW]

I also like the power arms grabs. Two guys who could be in the majors soon. Any word on if Cederoth has a shot at starting?

 

Yes. Per MLB

Five years after Stephen Strasburg went No. 1 overall in the Draft, San Diego State has another hard-throwing right-hander poised to go in the first round. Unlike Strasburg, Cederoth was a prospect in high school, too, though signability knocked him down to the 41st round in 2011. He can light up a radar gun like no other college arm in this year's Draft, as he's capable of working in the mid 90s and hitting 98 mph with his fastball, with triple-digits within reach in shorter stints. Cederoth has a lot of moving parts in his delivery and still is learning to control his 6-foot-6 frame, so he lacks consistency with the rest of his pitches as well as his control and command. His low-80s slider has the most potential of his secondary offerings, and he also throws a curveball and a changeup. Cederoth moved to the bullpen this spring and was throwing well as San Diego State's closer. If he can't develop a reliable second weapon and do a better job of locating his pitches, that could be his long-term role at the next level.

[nicksaviking]

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?

 

I actually loved it in 2012. Mostly because the Twins seemed willing to give most of those guys a chance to start and they didn't have the arm abuse that most college starters had. Hasn't worked out to well so far though.

 

I guess after they saw Melotakis and Duffy struggle to maintain velocity and strikeouts they said, let's get guys who throw even harder!

[MichiganTwins]

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

 

 

Tell that to the Detroit Tigers.

[PseudoSABR]

Velocity is about a sure bet as there is in drafting an arm. This how you avoid relying on Guerriers and Burtons in the bullpen year after year. Starting is certainly sexy. But the Twins do have a bevvy of under-twenty arms that should continue to develop as starters. Getting some real talent to close out games is part of a winning strategy.

 

All that said, it won't hurt to try starting one or both these guys.

[B Richard]

My guess is that Cederoth gets a shot to start while the Twins keep Burdi in the pen. If Cederoth can't crack it, oh well, another high octane bullpen option. You could do much worse with this pick

[cmb0252]

Law's chat:

 

Should Twins fans expect Burdi and Cederoth in the Majors within 2 yrs?

 

Klaw 1:21 PM ET

 

If not, then they were the wrong picks. I can't see taking a college reliever that high unless you think he's going to reach the majors quickly. The failure rate of relievers is too high to take one in the top 3 rounds if you think he's several years away.

[gunnarthor]

Looks like a Deron Johnson draft so far. Flame throwers.

[gunnarthor]

Carson Sands maybe?

[Willihammer]

Wasn't there a Soul Calibur character named Cederoth? Dude just sounds like a closer.

[gunnarthor]

Dammit, missed it by one!

[gunnarthor]

Clay? Another reliever? Wow.

[nicksaviking]

OK, this is getting old.

[PseudoSABR]

6'3" 208lbs DOB: 06/21/93Clay was a two-sport star in high school and didn’t pitch much for the Yellow Jackets as a freshman, as he began concentrating on baseball for the first time. He took on a larger role in the bullpen this spring, becoming one of their most important relievers. Clay’s fastball typically sits in the low-90s and touches a bit higher. He complements it with a hard slider that flashes above-average potential. Primarily, Clay is a two-pitch pitcher, but he also throws a curveball and changeup at times. Though he has enough stuff to start, he is still somewhat raw and will need to improve his control. Clay is a Draft-eligible sophomore and would have two more years of eligibility if he chooses to return to school.

Via MLB

[PseudoSABR]

Well, they needed a left-hander in that 2017 bullpen, no?

[cmb0252]

Callis and Mayo both pegged him as a RPer. BA has him #144.

[Dman]

I guess the Twins aren't happy with there bullpen depth in the minors and need all the bullpen arms they can get this draft. I like the flame throwers but it would be nice to have picked one starter in the top 4 picks. In a pitcher heavy draft this is what we get? Color me disappointed so far.

[kab21]

Law touches on an important and unfortunate fact about drafted RP'ers. They look like high floor guys that can make it to the majors quickly but they have an awful success rate. I still remember the year that 4 or so of them were drafted in the first rd. Perry, Schlereth, Fields and Gutierrez. None of them have had much success in the majors. And this is a story that typical repeats itself year after year. Some guys like Storen are successful but they are in the minority of a so-called high floor group.

 

I actually loved it in 2012. Mostly because the Twins seemed willing to give most of those guys a chance to start and they didn't have the arm abuse that most college starters had. Hasn't worked out to well so far though.

 

Sounds good in theory and I agreed initially in 2012. And then I watched a few videos of the drafted RP'ers. There was a reason that a couple of them were RP'ers. I have no idea how they survived pitching the limited number of innings in the bullpen in college. Just awful mechanics. I would not call myself an expert but it looked painful just to throw the baseball for them.

[nicksaviking]

Sounds good in theory and I agreed initially in 2012. And then I watched a few videos of the drafted RP'ers. There was a reason that a couple of them were RP'ers. I have no idea how they survived pitching the limited number of innings in the bullpen in college. Just awful mechanics. I would not call myself an expert but it looked painful just to throw the baseball for them.

 

That makes me wonder, are Chargois and Bard still in witness protection? Or will we get to see them finally?

[InfraRen]

Will Carroll @injuryexpert

Burdi and Cederoth? Well, the Twins bullpen is going to look filthy here in about a year. That's some serious power.

[zenser]

Another bullpen arm in Reed!

[twinsfan34]

That makes me wonder, are Chargois and Bard still in witness protection? Or will we get to see them finally?

 

Took the thought right out of my brain...both of those guys were hard throwers (94-97 MPH), so not quite Buri/Cederoth territory....but we haven't seen either. I think Chargois had TJ correct? Bard came back late last year to FTM...but I haven't seen him yet this year.

[nicksaviking]

Thinking about turning this off.

 

So we take Jake Reed when two HOF'ers in Carter and Moss were still available?

[gunnarthor]

This draft was dedicated to mike wants wins.

[twinsfan34]

What?!

 

Another reliever?!?!

 

Perhaps the FO thinks we're contending already? Or thinking we will next year or 2016? I mean, this seems like a mentality a perennial division winner has. Must think Buxton is going to go 12 WAR next year and Sano about 8 WAR.

[Dman]

Thinking about turning this off.

 

So we take Jake Reed when two HOF'ers in Carter and Moss were still available?

 

I had the same thought but will likely see it through. Hard to be excited about this but they must have a plan. Time will tell.

[Willihammer]

[TABLE=width: 500]

[TABLE=width: 683]

Player

era

app-gs

ip

h

er

bb

so

hr

ab

b/avg

Reed, Jake

1.95

31-0

37.0

22

8

15

34

1

121

.182

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TABLE]

[JB_Iowa]

Twins trying to set a record for how many consecutive college relievers they can draft????