Article: Hunter Greene's Trouble With The Curve

[markos]

 

I think it matters to an organization like the Twins because it could affect his development timeline. Look no further than Kohl Stewart as an example of someone with a plus-fastball and lack of quality secondary pitches.

I remembered this very differently. From what I read about Stewart prior to his draft, I got the sense that he already had a very good slider. For example, from BA's profile:

"Stewart has boosted his fastball from 88-93 mph last summer to 91-96 for much of the spring, though his velocity tails off at times in the later innings. His life and command with his heater make it even more dominating, but his best offering is a power mid-80s slider with tilt. He has improved his curveball and shows feel for his changeup, and he’ll display four above-average big league pitches at times."
http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2013-mlb-draft-first-round-analysis/#mGrdQtTsISop5ugp.97

 

And Keith Law's scouting report:
"He hit 96 mph and sat 92-94 consistently, showing a plus slider at 85-88, a hard curveball at 79-82, and even a few changeups at 83-84 with decent arm speed. He drives the fastball down in the zone, with hard-boring life in on right-handers The slider is the knockout pitch right now, breaking very hard and late down and away from right-handed batters."
http://www.espn.com/blog/mlb-draft/insider/post?id=31

 

If Kohl Stewart is a cautionary example for selecting Greene, I would argue that Stewart is a good example of how excellent natural athleticism doesn't always translate into command/control.

[ALessKosherScott]

The most telling quote in the Strib article is this one:

 

“The only way to drill the draft and hit on every guy,” Johnson said, “is to have a time machine.”

 

Anybody have a copy of Grey's Sports Almanac from 2050 lying around?

[Parker Hageman]

I remembered this very differently. From what I read about Stewart prior to his draft, I got the sense that he already had a very good slider...

 

I was referring to his curveball. I should have been more specific.

[old nurse]

They worked him out late. If they saw what they were looking for and a ballpark figure I think they are going to take him.

[savvyspy]

Greene looks like he's got the most upside by far of the guys linked to the Twins. Wright just doesn't impress me. His ceiling to me is Kyle Gibson on a good night. Not flashy and gets hit way harder than his pitch quality suggests he should.

 

I could live with McKay but if you are being sold that this team will never spend on big time free agent starting pitching where else are you going to get it if not in the draft?

 

Wright is NOT a #1 starter. Never will be. Greene is no guarantee but he's at least got a shot if it comes together. 

 

If like the idea that both McKay or Greene could fall back on being a position player.

 

I would have Greene #1 and McKay #2. I don't have Wright in my top 5. I'd put Lewis #3, Gore #4, and Beck #5