Article: Twins Daily Draft Preview: Alex Kirilloff

[Jeremy Nygaard]

One demographic we haven’t heard much about is prep hitters. Yet, it’s a route that the Twins seem to take with regularity. From Gordon to Buxton to Hicks to Revere, “toolsy” preps have been a linchpin in the franchise’s draft results.

 

Today, we’ll look at the one prep hitter connected to the ball club.WHO IS HE?

 

Alex Kirilloff is a prep hitter from Plum High School in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Kirilloff, who turned 18 in November, is a left-handed hitter and thrower who projects as a right-fielder, though through high school he’s primarily pitched and played first base. A 4.0 student, Kirilloff is 6-2, 195 and committed to Liberty.

 

WHY THE TWINS WILL DRAFT HIM

 

As mentioned earlier, the Twins have always been enamored by toolsy prep players and Kirilloff has the tools. Perfect Game ranks both Kirilloff’s hit tool and power tool as the third best in the entire prep class. He has a powerful arm that would fit in right field. Kirilloff has the athleticism and speed (6.6 in the 60) that suggests he could even be an average defender in centerfield. He’s still relatively new to the outfield, so he’ll need plenty of reps to properly gauge his defensive ability.

 

The greatest value that Kirilloff offers is in his bat. He won the Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Game last summer and hasn’t seemed to tap into all of his raw power potential yet. He’s starting to show he’s able to generate power to all fields.

 

WHY THE TWINS WON'T DRAFT HIM

 

His father is a hitting coach that has helped the younger Kirilloff refine his swing, though there has been mention about his lack of hand speed. His ZEPP Hitting Metric hand speed score was only 28 mph, according to Perfect Game, which is 2.5 mph slower than average and put him in the 28th percentile. A consequence of this is an inability to catch up to professional fastballs. There seems to be a split in the industry as to whether he has enough natural ability to overcome this deficiency.

 

Player-wise, though, teams will almost always be able to find warts on preps. And Kirilloff is no different. If there weren’t questions, he’d be in consideration for a Top 5 pick. What might cause the Twins to look elsewhere is if the deep pool of pitchers spreads out and they have an opportunity to land one.

 

Kirilloff is going to be high on the Twins board, there’s no doubt about that, and he’s signable, but will he be the best player available at 15?

 

 

Other draft-related articles:

Local Profiles

Zack Burdi

Zack Collins

Prep Arms

10-round mock

Draft Board

 

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[gunnarthor]

Another nice write-up.  I won't hate this pick - frankly, the Twins might be better at developing HS OFers than pitchers.  But he's not my favorite guy on the board.  I suppose it depends on who is available.  

[tobi0040]

Not a huge fan. Corner OF types are available every year, not to spend and available on shorter deals.

 

I prefer to focus on SP and C.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Another nice write-up.  I won't hate this pick - frankly, the Twins might be better at developing HS OFers than pitchers.  But he's not my favorite guy on the board.  I suppose it depends on who is available.  

 

Might be better at developing HS OFers than pitchers? Maybe. Ha!

[nicksaviking]

If they go hitter, I just want best hitter available regardless of position. Position seems like it should be pretty concrete and easier to project, yet it rarely is.

 

I do wonder why he's chosen Liberty though. Surely a top 30 guy would have scholarship offers from top programs wouldn't he?

 

Also, how about signing his dad?

[d-mac]

I'm kinda with the rest of you on him- I won't hate the pick, the Twins could do worse- he would not be my first choice, I just think his swing is too long and loopy, he's going to have contact issues. Not something the Twins need more of. 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

If they go hitter, I just want best hitter available regardless of position. Position seems like it should be pretty concrete and easier to project, yet it rarely is.

 

I do wonder why he's chosen Liberty though. Surely a top 30 guy would have scholarship offers from top programs wouldn't he?

 

Also, how about signing his dad?

Kirilloff is deeply religious that's why he committed to Liberty.

[Hrbowski]

No mention of him likely being the first home schooled player ever taken in the first round?

[nicksaviking]

Kirilloff is deeply religious that's why he committed to Liberty.

I thought Russians were godless Heathens. Did Reagan lie to me?

[Thrylos]

FWIW, he comes with baggage.  Check out his dad's website.

Edited June 8, 2016 by Thrylos

[Bob Sacamento]

 

FWIW, he comes with baggage.  Check out his dad's website.

Wow, the "World's Greatest Hitting Formula" eh? If it's true then his son better be the greatest hitter since Ted Williams 

[operation mindcrime]

I read on MLBTR that Delvin Perez failed a drug test. If he's available at our pick we should take him!

[sftwinsfan]

The hand speed thing is a little concerning, sounds like Chris Parmelee.  Also yeah, can see it potentially being an issue with instruction and foresee issues with his dad being too involved.  I'd rather roll the dice with a prep pitcher with upside.  

[70charger]

A prep guy is all about projection, right? So is anyone else suspicious of the fact that he's gotten professional instruction from his father all the way through his childhood? Is he peaking early? Is he what he is (and will remain) already? Would he take instruction from someone else?

 

I'm admittedly no expert, but I'm really put off by this one.

[TRex]

 

Wow, the "World's Greatest Hitting Formula" eh? If it's true then his son better be the greatest hitter since Ted Williams 

Sounds like Ryan Mills to me... and we all know how well he turned out!

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/mills0118.html