MLB Draft Discussion: Day 2

[John Bonnes]

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.....

[Seth Stohs]

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.

[John Bonnes]

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?

[Mike Sixel]

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).

[J-Dog Dungan]

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.

[Shane Wahl]

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 . . .

[Shane Wahl]

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

[J-Dog Dungan]

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.

[drivlikejehu]

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).

[Gernzy]

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

[Sid Hartman]

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

[SirLoin]

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.

[drivlikejehu]

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.

[Cap'n Piranha]

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?

[nicksaviking]

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.

[SirLoin]

Could Brown fall to #72???

[Sid Hartman]

Could Brown fall to #73???

You want Rockies to draft him? lol

[Mike Sixel]

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."

[nicksaviking]

Make that 3

[SirLoin]

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

[Gernzy]

Chargois. Huh another College reliever. Can play 1B too

[righty8383]

I guess the Twins are happy with the starters they have in the system.

[Mike Sixel]

And, pick 72 comments from ESPN:

 

He's strictly a short reliever, someone to sign and send right out to Double-A with the hope that you can get him to the majors before the arm action catches up to him.

 

What are they thinking? I'd 100% rather they take hitters, than pitchers whose upside is short reliever who you need to play right away before he hurts himself. If, of course, you believe anything BA or ESPN say.

[SirLoin]

Should we add Deron Johnson to the list of people that need to be fired by season's end???

[drivlikejehu]

He had zero homers so I don't think his future is at first base. According the ESPN his future is as a solid reliever for a couple years, until he blows out his arm as a result of his delivery. Just what the Twins need.

[Mike Sixel]

Three or four relief pitchers, depending on which scouting reports you believe. It is truly a mind boggling strategy, given what little information and data and opinions we have available to us. I admit to not understanding these picks at all.

[righty8383]

I'm starting to think Brown told scouts not to draft him below a certain point, which passed long ago.

[SirLoin]

Best three lines from MLB.com about pick #72.....

 

- Scouts haven’t always been able to see him consistently enough to know what he brings to the table.

 

- He doesn’t have tremendous command

 

- Chargois is a bit of a wild card

[SirLoin]

And Brown goes to Cleveland.....well done Twins.

[Gernzy]

Cleveland took Mitch Brown. Would be funny having him pitch against us all the time.