Article: Twins Select Brent Rooker, Landon Leach On Day 1

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The Twins made a somewhat surprising choice at 1-1 by selecting SS/CF Royce Lewis, who is represented by Scott Boras. The rumor was that it was a money-saving pick. And Mike Radcliff said the Twins had big plans at 35 and 37.

 

So we spent the next nearly three hours watching the names that might be tumbling down the draft boards.Does either outfielder Brent Rooker or RHP Landon Leach equate to a "big plan?" Only time will tell. Here is a very brief description of each.

 

Comp Round A; 35th overall - Brent Rooker, OF, Mississippi State

 

Rooker put up video game numbers after re-entering the draft after not signing with the Twins last year. I'd expect Rooker to make his way to Cedar Rapids this year and could move relatively quickly. Not a pick that should command much of extra bonus money. Rooker reminds me a bit of a right-handed version of Daniel Palka.

 

2nd round; 37th overall - Landon Leach, RHP, Ontario (Canada) prep

 

A big-bodied (6' 4", 220 lb) prep, Leach is projectable and currently features a three-pitch mix which includes a low-90s fastball, a curveball and a changeup, Leach has had success while competing on a Canadian national team. Leach is committed to Texas.

 

Minnesota prep pitcher Sam Carlson has likely priced himself out of getting drafted in the Top 10 rounds. It appears likely that he'll head to Florida. (EDIT: Interestingly, Carlson was drafted by the Mariners 55th overall. This is a puzzling one... if he's signable here, what gives...?)

 

Greg Deichmann, who was drafted by the Twins last year but instead returned to LSU, was taken in the second round.

 

The Twins will be first on the clock tomorrow afternoon when the 3rd round starts with the 76th overall pick.

 

So what do you think after three picks?

 

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[MangLitch]

Canning or Carlson 37?

[caninatl04]

Sam Carlson has been listed on MLB TV as "best available" for the last hour. Interesting to see how this plays out.

[Cooz]

 

Sam Carlson has been listed on MLB TV as "best available" for the last hour. Interesting to see how this plays out.

So clearly . . . he's the best! 

[twinsfanstreif]

Leach? I'm not even sure who he is.There has to be something with Carlson right? This almost seems like 2 more money saving guys at #35 and #37, weird

[MangLitch]

Well that was unexpected.... humphf

[caninatl04]

I actually read about the Canadian pitcher earlier today.  Baseball Canada "hoped" he would be picked early on the second DAY, not early in the second ROUND.

 

So, the "big plans" for 35 and 37 were to save even more money.

 

Do we win a prize for saving the most $$$ from the signing bonus pool?

[Cooz]

 

I actually read about the Canadian pitcher earlier today.  Baseball Canada "hoped" he would be picked early on the second DAY, not early in the second ROUND.

 

So, the "big plans" for 35 and 37 were to save even more money.

 

Do we win a prize for saving the most $$$ from the signing bonus pool?

We saved money by drafting, allegedly, under slot with the top pick to save money on drafting a guy we've already drafted, and a Canadian who wasn't expected to go any time soon. 

The front office can't get a bonus for pool money not spent, can they? 

"BOOM!"

[T_J]

This is odd. Maybe Lewis didn't give a discount. Maybe they just thought he was the best player in the draft.

[twinsfanstreif]

scouting reports of Leach sound a lot like like Hudson Boyd's did to me, hopefully he can have more success than Hudson did

[Darius]

"That's not how the draft works" I was told by the "experts."

[FargoFanMan]

This is puzzling. Big things??? This seems like a typical twins move. Hope this kid turns out to be the Canadian.... I got nothing. Lol! Maybe a diamond in the rough I guess.

[Tuba]

Twins will draft Jim Pohlad and sign him way above slot. THERE IS NO RULE STOPPING IT. 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I can't imagine that either of these guys are going to come in over slot, so they still have money to spend. I don't know who those guys might be... but there are still going to be guys that tumble.

 

But yeah, not super exciting... at least not the excitement I was hoping for.

[KirbyDome89]

 

This is odd. Maybe Lewis didn't give a discount. Maybe they just thought he was the best player in the draft.

If Lewis didn't sign under slot then that must be the case. I'm OK with it, I want them to draft whomever they believe is the best player. 

 

If that isn't the rationale and Lewis indeed signed under slot then odd might be too gentle of a descriptor. 

[Otwins]

 

This is odd. Maybe Lewis didn't give a discount. Maybe they just thought he was the best player in the draft.

Boras never gives a discount. I think you are correct. They must like him

[Winston Smith]

 

I actually read about the Canadian pitcher earlier today.  Baseball Canada "hoped" he would be picked early on the second DAY, not early in the second ROUND.

 

So, the "big plans" for 35 and 37 were to save even more money.

 

Do we win a prize for saving the most $$$ from the signing bonus pool?

You keep your job!

[caninatl04]

 

We saved money by drafting, allegedly, under slot with the top pick to save money on drafting a guy we've already drafted, and a Canadian who wasn't expected to go any time soon. 

The front office can't get a bonus for pool money not spent, can they? 

"BOOM!"

Maybe the "bonus" is that they get to keep their jobs.

[D.C Twins]

I think there is a pretty decent chance based on these picks that the FO dynamic duo completely outsmarted themselves….the people they were ‘saving slot money for’ were gone for these picks…..this one draft day could end up having huge impact on their half-life in their current positions. (yep, I’m going there)  I believe that they are talented, but I also believe that they are prone to thinking they are the smartest people in every room which leave them susceptible to exactly what played out today…… Man do I hope I’m dead wrong….

[Old Twins Cap]

Pretty hard to christen a masterpiece before it is done.

 

Let the Michelangelo comparisons begin.

 

Not the Sistine Chapel maybe, but could it be

[David HK]

Second prize....   a set of steak knives...

[tobi0040]

I always assumed it wasn't Terry Ryan that was super cheap, rather he had a tight budget dictated by the Pohlad's. Terry is gone. Same old.

 

I just hope Falvey and Lavine were made aware of this issue before signing on.

[TKGuy]

Call me disappointed, a Canadian pitcher and a 20-something OF? Don't we have enough 20-something OF already?

 

I was one of the last stalwarts still supporting the old regime, I guess we wait a long time to see if Falvine is right.

 

By the way, how many young SS are in the system now? Didn't we spend a ton on Wander Javier?

[ThejacKmp]

Everybody cool out. This is the end of day 1. Maybe you'll feel the same way after tomorrow, maybe you'll see a larger plan. That old cliche about open heart surgery applies.

[caninatl04]

So, who's left?  Anyone have a link to best remaining players? I am looking for even a little hope from what, so far, must be considered an unmitigated disaster.

 

And, where would on slot these three among the current top prospects for the Twins?  #5, #15 and #20?

[Kelly Vance]

the catcher from Oregon State

[caninatl04]

 

29 Nick Allen SS  Francis Parker School, San Diego Calif. 7

33 Blayne Enlow RHP  St. Amant (La.) HS La. 1

38 Tanner Burns RHP  Decatur (Ala.) HS Ala. 2

39 Brady McConnell SS  Merritt Island (Fla.) HS Fla. 4

41 Tristan Beck RHP  Stanford Calif. 9
 

[adorduan]

Well, that was depressing.....

[jimbo92107]

I have a feeling the Twins will regret not taking Wright, or Gore...

[nytwinsfan]

 

29 Nick Allen SS  Francis Parker School, San Diego Calif. 7

33 Blayne Enlow RHP  St. Amant (La.) HS La. 1

38 Tanner Burns RHP  Decatur (Ala.) HS Ala. 2

39 Brady McConnell SS  Merritt Island (Fla.) HS Fla. 4

41 Tristan Beck RHP  Stanford Calif. 9
 

and Jacob Heatherly, a HS LHP.