Draft Notes

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Some things that I'm hearing... 

 

(Please take with the disclaimer that the whole "team" hasn't even gathered to put their draft board together, so this WILL change a ton.)

 

*As you may have seen on various mock drafts, there is a growing belief that the possibility of Dillon Tate being available at #6 exists. The Twins certainly were in attendance for his start last night. After throwing less than 45 innings in his sophomore season, Tate has thrown over 103 and counting. He's getting tired, but still threw 113 pitches, striking out 11 and walking only one last night (in a loss). I don't think signability would be an issue, but he certainly isn't taking a discount.

 

*Daz Cameron has a price tag that the Twins aren't interested in paying. But we are talking about Scott Boras. And, at the end of the day, he'll get what he wants... my guess still remains that he is off the board before the Twins pick. 

 

*The Twins are high on Bregman, but he could easily be gone too. I don't know how the Twins could stack their board and not have Bregman (at a minimum) in the Top 4.

 

*Doogie reported that the Twins wanted another, closer look at Kyle Tucker. While I can't confirm that look/workout, I can confirm he's in play at #6.

 

*Education speculation, but I don't think Funkhouser (no surprise), Buehler (no surprise) or Fulmer (surprise!) are in the mix at #6.

 

By process of elimination that leaves: Swanson and Rodgers (who will both be gone), and Tate, Bregman and Tucker (the group I'd be honing in on). The sixth spot - for me anyway - is between Jay (no confirmation) and Allard. 

 

Assume Swanson, Rodgers, Jay, Bregman and Cameron are gone, that leaves the Twins with the choice of Tate, Tucker or Allard, a position I very much like. I'd prefer Tate - by a wide margin - but would be pleased with any of the three.

 

All of this can (AND WILL) change in the next ten days and much of it is connecting dots that are vague at best. A fun little exercise to partake in, at any rate.  What do you all think?

[nater79a]

I'd go Tate > Bregman > Jay > Tucker > Allard (injury concerns).

[Hrbowski]

Hmm, I'm surprised about Fulmer.

[Hrbowski]

 

Assume Swanson, Rodgers, Jay, Bregman and Cameron are gone, that leaves the Twins with the choice of Tate, Tucker or Allard, a position I very much like. I'd prefer Tate - by a wide margin - but would be pleased with any of the three.

 

All of this can (AND WILL) change in the next ten days and much of it is connecting dots that are vague at best. A fun little exercise to partake in, at any rate.  What do you all think?

What if the draft goes Swanson, Rogers, Tate, Bregman, Tucker? Would they go Jay or Allard?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I don't think anyone has the answer to that question. Allard's back is a wild card.

[30whales]

I am absolutely in love with Bregman! Reminds me so much of Dozier but probably better and could stick at short which is key. Is Guzman the last "good" shortstop that we have had? It would be great to be able to have a shortstop of the future. But if Tate is available, that is who we must take in my uneducated opinion.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I thought Bregman was a glove guy who might have an average bat.  Pass on that at 6.  I'd rather go upside in Tate or Allard.

[twinsfanstreif]

 

I thought Bregman was a glove guy who might have an average bat.  Pass on that at 6.  I'd rather go upside in Tate or Allard.

Actually Bregman is a solid bat (some say the best college bat in the draft) with an average glove. I think he'll stick at SS and he's my pick but I do absolutely love Tate. Never been sold on Allard even before the injury, reminds me of Max Fried, a plus for being a lefty, good but not great stuff, kinda meh for me. I'm rooting for Bregman, Tate, or Tucker. If all 3 of those guys are gone I say take a flier on Aiken!

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Actually Bregman is a solid bat (some say the best college bat in the draft) with an average glove. I think he'll stick at SS and he's my pick but I do absolutely love Tate. Never been sold on Allard even before the injury, reminds me of Max Fried, a plus for being a lefty, good but not great stuff, kinda meh for me. I'm rooting for Bregman, Tate, or Tucker. If all 3 of those guys are gone I say take a flier on Aiken!

 

OK, that makes more sense.  You're talking Tulo potential at this point, and that's an asset at SS. 

[Willihammer]

Disappointing that Allard hasn't pitched. If he were in play for the top 6 that would improve the Twins position that much more. As it is he (and Aiken) would make good picks for someone later in the round, but too risky at 6.

 

Tucker is impressive but prep bats are scary. I wish/hope the Twins are in on Fulmer too. Him or Bregman would be great. Tate looks like a reliever to me.

[drivlikejehu]

 

OK, that makes more sense.  You're talking Tulo potential at this point, and that's an asset at SS. 

 

Bregman is nowhere near Tulo-level potential with the bat. He could be solid for a SS, but he's not a middle of the order hitter. Nor is he particularly great defensively.

 

Not that I would mind the Twins picking him, since I don't think there are great high-upside alternatives. Tate is a fastball-slider guy with below average command, which makes him overrated as a starter prospect. Tucker is a corner outfielder, setting a high bar for how much he would have to hit. I do like Jay a lot but his misuse at Illinois has introduced a risk factor, in that he may not hold up as a starter.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Horrible year to pick at 6... Then again, the last time there was a really weak class, the Twins picked at 2 and picked up Buxton, Berrios, Duffey, and Walker (along with a few others). 

[Einstein1]

Re: Bregman.  Would the fact that the Twins selected a SS first last year make any impact on the decision to select another SS first this year?  Or do you just go BPA and sort it out later?   

[Hrbowski]

 

Re: Bregman.  Would the fact that the Twins selected a SS first last year make any impact on the decision to select another SS first this year?  Or do you just go BPA and sort it out later?   

No, that won't be a factor.

[twinsfanstreif]

Bregman is nowhere near Tulo-level potential with the bat. He could be solid for a SS, but he's not a middle of the order hitter. Nor is he particularly great defensively.

 

Not that I would mind the Twins picking him, since I don't think there are great high-upside alternatives. Tate is a fastball-slider guy with below average command, which makes him overrated as a starter prospect. Tucker is a corner outfielder, setting a high bar for how much he would have to hit. I do like Jay a lot but his misuse at Illinois has introduced a risk factor, in that he may not hold up as a starter.

This year's draft kinda sucks, we just have to deal with it. In any given year Tate, Bregman, and Jay would be somewhere in the 8-15 range but this year they are for sure top 8 picks. Out of our options Bregman and Tate are by far my favorites, not world killers but their floors are very high. For Tate he is a potential 1-2 starter with a floor of a very good reliever, Bregman has the potential to be a solid MLer at the very least, I see him as a JJ Hardy (with a little less power) type more than Tulo but that is a very good pick in this draft.

[2wins87]

I'd probably go Bregman, Tate, Tucker, Jay.  I haven't really been following the draft as closely as the last two years though.  The consensus scouting report on Bregman seems to be that he has a good bat, probably Dozier type power with maybe a higher average.  His glove isn't great but at least half of the reports do think he can stick at short.

[Willihammer]

[MEDIA]

[30whales]

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/?season=2015&version=1&source=Keith-Law-Big-Board

 

He has Kevin Newman ranked number 2. I have never heard of him. Why is he not under consideration by the fans for #6?

[nytwinsfan]

WANT: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/127980594/dillon-tate-finds-path-to-draft-in-urban-youth-aca

[gunnarthor]

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/?season=2015&version=1&source=Keith-Law-Big-Board

 

He has Kevin Newman ranked number 2. I have never heard of him. Why is he not under consideration by the fans for #6?

Klaw seems the high guy on him.  Saw something earlier (maybe here) that suggested the Twins weren't on Newman at all.  Callis/Mayo at mlbpipeline have him at 29.  He seems similar to Levi Micheal, who went 30, IIRC.  

 

[Hrbowski]

Terry Ryan said that he stayed in the Twins Cities for this road trip to make sure the Twins roll the dice in this year's draft. Sounds like they could be players for Aiken...

[30whales]

Terry Ryan said that he stayed in the Twins Cities for this road trip to make sure the Twins roll the dice in this year's draft. Sounds like they could be players for Aiken...

If they received his medicals, and they feel comfortable with his future health this is fantastic news.

[InfraRen]

Interesting..

[Willihammer]

Question. Who is the best fastball hitter among the college shortstops?

 

Or among the college ranks, period