Article: 2012 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?626-2012-Minnesota-Twins-Draft-Picks

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

I know projections for these players sometimes turn out to be untrue, but it seem like nearly every single pitcher the Twins have drafted has ties to the bullpen. They have said they will give some of them chances to start; although, I think it's strange they haven't really drafted a "true" starting pitcher. Maybe they are hoping some of these power arm guys can be dominant, successful starters?

[Dilligaf69]

Not a deep starting pitching draft from what i've heard outside the 1st round.

[Shane Wahl]

YHIMH, it's not like the prospect ranks aren't full of middle relievers already! Oh wait . . . that is PRECISELY where the Twins have the most depth in the system.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

No kidding shanewahl! It doesn't help that relievers have zero value in rebuilding a franchise too. I can't complain about the Buxton pick, but this has me scratching my head.

[Jim Crikket]

I honestly don't distinguish much between the value of guys projected to top out at a back of the rotation starter and a good bullpen arm. Given that this draft supposedly had few, if any, projected top of the rotation pitchers (and virtually none after the top 4-5 guys), I guess I don't have a problem with picking hard throwing guys with less milage on their arms, regardless of what role some college or HS coach has slotted them in to.

[Shane Wahl]

They must be thinking of converting these comparatively underused arms into some starting pitching at the lower levels. Maybe a couple of them stick there.

[bulldogguy]

Agreed...like every major league baseball draft...let's evaluate this 3 years from now to see where these guys are going. I would be more interested in hearing from the Twins what their initial plan for these pitchers are...are they going to be starters out of the gate or right to the bullpen. Again, week starting pitching crop...why try to fit a square peg in a round hole if it doesn't make sense. Pick the guys that you think you might be able to develop. There is not going to be any immediate help to the Major League roster this year, next year or maybe even the year after that from this years crop. That's how it works in baseball.

[jokin]

They must be thinking of converting these comparatively underused arms into some starting pitching at the lower levels. Maybe a couple of them stick there.

Isn't there a new Twins Territory commercial already in production, the Big Hrbowski is bowling in the center lane, and suddenly all of those unused lanes to the left and right are anointed by Gardy, and then the new anonymous RPs are throwing strikes down the alleys.

 

The tag line going out:

 

 

"The Minnesota Twins- Less is More"

[DaTwins]

YHIMH, it's not like the prospect ranks aren't full of middle relievers already! Oh wait . . . that is PRECISELY where the Twins have the most depth in the system.

 

Not sure what exactly you're talking about here. How much depth to do the Twins have in bullpen prospects? There's a handful of guys, Slama, Waldrop, Guerra, Albers etc. that are putting up good numbers in the minors. But nobody thinks any of them will be elite relievers (or really even close to that). Of all the guys the Twins grabbed this year, there's a chance they may have found a future 'ace' reliever.

[jokin]

Not sure what exactly you're talking about here. How much depth to do the Twins have in bullpen prospects? There's a handful of guys, Slama, Waldrop, Guerra, Albers etc. that are putting up good numbers in the minors. But nobody thinks any of them will be elite relievers (or really even close to that). Of all the guys the Twins grabbed this year, there's a chance they may have found a future 'ace' reliever.

I agree with the first part, but the "future ace' sounds a bit like a "wild thing" without the high strike out rate. Again, confounding.

[Seth Stohs]

My hope is that they are picking guys who can throw 95-99 (most of these relievers can) as relievers can move to starters next spring and be able to throw 93-95 as a starter.

[boney]

My hope is that they are picking guys who can throw 95-99 (most of these relievers can) as relievers can move to starters next spring and be able to throw 93-95 as a starter.

You may be forgetting that as Twins prospects they will be asked to back off a little in order to have better control. Leaving them between 89-92 :-).

[SweetOne69]

I'm guessing Slama is gone after this year unless he is promoted to the Twins. I believe that he can become a 6-year minor league free agent after this season and will elect to do so and who can blame him.

[Shane Wahl]

Not sure what exactly you're talking about here. How much depth to do the Twins have in bullpen prospects? There's a handful of guys, Slama, Waldrop, Guerra, Albers etc. that are putting up good numbers in the minors. But nobody thinks any of them will be elite relievers (or really even close to that). Of all the guys the Twins grabbed this year, there's a chance they may have found a future 'ace' reliever.

There are a dozen guys you didn't mention at least. Oliveros, Robertson, Williams, Hauser, Achter, Bowen, Watts, Pugh, etc. And the general movement is from starter to reliever when guys can't cut it as starters. The point is that it is truly the one area with a lot of depth, at least compared to everything else besides OF.

[DaTwins]

I suppose there is minor league depth in relievers. But IMO I don't see any who could be an 'ace' reliever. Not saying any of the new draft picks do, I don't know any more about them than their BA and MLB.com scouting reports, but they could move up fast and provide actual major league production. Just like anybody, I'd rather they be solid starters than solid relievers. But looking around the MLB right now, there's a ton of value in having young, cost-controlled guys filling up the bullpen.

[DaTwins]

I agree with the first part, but the "future ace' sounds a bit like a "wild thing" without the high strike out rate. Again, confounding.

For the record, I'm not specifically suggesting anyone of these guys is future 'ace' relievers. Though MLB.com and BA scouting reports suggested a couple have that ceiling.

[J-Dog Dungan]

I think the draft goes through Rd. 15 today, Seth, but don't quote me on that

[Shane Wahl]

Yeah, it goes through 15 today.

[John Bonnes]

I"ve updated 11 thru 15.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

After today, I can't imagine that in Rounds 16 and beyond there's anybody that's really signable. I read all the time about players who were formerly drafted in these rounds that re-enter as higher picks in the next rule 4 draft.

[Thrylos]

For the ones here with twitter, here are the newest Twins with twitter accounts:

 

@LBard38

@walkoff28 (Adam Walker II)

@LJMazz24

@Dbax24

@trogers34

@Jproc23

@JarretLeverett

 

Give them some serious Twins family love.

 

BTW, I have been live blogging this thing and will do the same tomorrow. I got mini profiles for all 15 picks here if interested (reverse draft order)

[Shane Wahl]

After today, I can't imagine that in Rounds 16 and beyond there's anybody that's really signable. I read all the time about players who were formerly drafted in these rounds that re-enter as higher picks in the next rule 4 draft.

I think over half of them signed last year. College seniors get drafted heavily now. Tim Shibuya, Adam Pettersen, David Hurlbut, and Drew Leachman are some good ones.

[wagwan]

How many of these guys would make the Twins top 50 list. Here is Seth's 50th ranked prospect How many are better than Trent?

#50 – Trent Higginbotham, RHP

 

Higginbotham was the Twins 26^th round draft pick in 2011 out of high school in Alabama. He signed on the last possible day for a well-above-slot $195,000. The right-hander is 6-2 and 195 and has a very projectable frame with room to grow. He turned 20 years old last week and already boasts a fastball that touches 94 mph. He also throws a curveball and a changeup. I would guess that he will pitch in Elizabethton starting in June, but it is possible that he will start in the GCL.

[Seth Stohs]

I'm guessing Slama is gone after this year unless he is promoted to the Twins. I believe that he can become a 6-year minor league free agent after this season and will elect to do so and who can blame him.

Slama isn't a 6-year minor league F/A until after the 2013 season.

[Seth Stohs]

After today, I can't imagine that in Rounds 16 and beyond there's anybody that's really signable. I read all the time about players who were formerly drafted in these rounds that re-enter as higher picks in the next rule 4 draft.

The TWins make a point to sign their top 10-15 round picks every year. However, they sign a bunch after rounds 15. They're had a lot of surprise successes after this point. They evern got a couple of high upsider guys the last couple of years.

[Thrylos]

I can't imagine that in Rounds 16 and beyond there's anybody that's really signable. I read all the time about players who were formerly drafted in these rounds that re-enter as higher picks in the next rule 4 draft.

That does not work if you are a College Senior. Your last chance for pro ball (other than independents) other than being a free agent.

[Mike Sixel]

Anyone have a link to Sickel's shadow draft or comments. I can never find my way around SBNation....

[Seth Stohs]

talking draft with Jeremy Nygaard on a podcast right now.... Listen Here: http://tobtr.com/s/3220569

[TwinsGuy55422]

My hope is that they are picking guys who can throw 95-99 (most of these relievers can) as relievers can move to starters next spring and be able to throw 93-95 as a starter.

With our lack of starting pitching depth, I would think this has to be their intention.