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

[Dman]

While I can't say I understand the plan there must be one as Falvey seemed stressed about making sure the whole draft was successful not just the first few rounds.  They must be looking for and identified the type of players they think will be successful.

 

While there might not be a ton of great names left every year it seems several teams draft High Schoolers in the later rounds like 30 and beyond but don't have the pool money to convince them to sign.  Maybe they want more lottery picks like that.  You could take Rooker as an example.  They picked him at 38 but couldn't get him to sign.

 

I don't know what the plan but there has to be one.  If they got the first pick under slot and then the senior sign Rooker will be lucky to see half the money for his slot and the Canadian should be under slot too so there should be money to play with.  What they end up doing with it is hard to say at least right now.

[Respy]

 

How?  Teams like the Twins can't/won't go out and spend for an ace in the free agent market.

 

If we exclude drafting/developing or buying an ace via FA market...

 

As I've heard others state, though I don't have evidence to support, there's a notion that a speedy up-the-middle defender with an ability to hit, has a better chance of staying healthy than most pitchers, and therefore also makes them more tradeable in the future.  Perhaps the Front Office is already making plans to trade for a guaranteed front-line starter in a couple years after our young position player talents develop.

 

But alas, I'm just speculating and throwing Falvey and Levine a bone that they know what they're doing.

[Mike Sixel]

That Leach scouting report Brandon posted reads a lot like Kohl Stewart's report. Let's hope they both work out!

[laloesch]

 

Me too. 

 

I strongly second this.

[alarp33]

 

While I can't say I understand the plan there must be one as Falvey seemed stressed about making sure the whole draft was successful not just the first few rounds.  They must be looking for and identified the type of players they think will be successful.

 

While there might not be a ton of great names left every year it seems several teams draft High Schoolers in the later rounds like 30 and beyond but don't have the pool money to convince them to sign.  Maybe they want more lottery picks like that.  You could take Rooker as an example.  They picked him at 38 but couldn't get him to sign.

 

I don't know what the plan but there has to be one.  If they got the first pick under slot and then the senior sign Rooker will be lucky to see half the money for his slot and the Canadian should be under slot too so there should be money to play with.  What they end up doing with it is hard to say at least right now.

 

Rooker is not a Senior, he has a year of eligibility left. 

[dbminn]

Here's a scouting report for Rooker from John Sickels:

 

"Performance-wise, there’s nothing not to like here: his numbers are outstanding and the SEC is the premier circuit in college baseball. Lest you think the gaudy numbers are a result of the metal bat, Rooker has also hit very well with wooden bats in college summer ball, hitting .360/.413/.604 in the 2015 New England Collegiate League and .305/.335/.426 in the 2016 Cape Cod League. Wherever he goes, he hits."

[caninatl04]

 

Drafted as an outfielder.

I'm sure they will try him in a corner OF-- arm projects better to LF.  Don't be surprised if he end up at 1B.

[Cooz]

 

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

Do you think, then, McKay was not willing to play the position the Twins wanted him to play? Perhaps they said all P or 1B, no two-way, but TB said he could DH on off-days and see how it goes? 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere, but why did Rooker fall to 35 again? 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere, but why did Rooker fall to 35 again? 

 

He was all helium, so there is some doubt about his ability. Plus, he's probably a 1B/DH. That's all I can find, given his hitting.

[alarp33]

 

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere, but why did Rooker fall to 35 again? 

 

Age, and positional doubt would be my guess

[Mike Sixel]

 

Age, and positional doubt would be my guess

 

Right, I left off age. He's only 3-5 years from his most likely peak. And 1-3 of those will be in the minors.

Edited June 13, 2017 by Mike Sixel

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

He was all helium, so there is some doubt about his ability. Plus, he's probably a 1B/DH. That's all I can find, given his hitting.

 

Age, and positional doubt would be my guess

 

One of the pre-draft articles argued (paraphrasing here) that Rooker was playing a position based on team need, but that he is more than capable of playing the corner outfield positions. 

 

 

edit - thanks for th info

Edited June 13, 2017 by Hosken Bombo Disco

[alarp33]

 

One of the pre-draft articles argued (paraphrasing here) that Rooker was playing a position based on team need, but that he is more than capable of playing the corner outfield positions. 

 

 

edit - thanks for th info

 

Certainly possible, lots of players drop in the draft, doesn't mean they won't turn out to be All Stars.  I'd say the Yankees are happy Judge dropped to 32 (I'm guessing position / height was probably a big factor there)

[mikelink45]

 

um Castro is about a league average hitter so far according to fangraphs, and above average defensive catcher to go along with it... at 8 Million a year thats plenty fine with me. The other top catching options were Weiters and Ramos. Castro has a 0.8 fWAR compared to Weiters 0.5 and Ramos 0 games played. dont complain when they got the right guy so far.

I have no issue with Castro versus a very over rated Weiters and a recovering Ramos, but that is not my point.  He was a starting point for improvement and not the end point.  Not enough was done and our bullpen and rotation keeps proving it. 

[jsteve96]

 

I have no issue with Castro versus a very over rated Weiters and a recovering Ramos, but that is not my point.  He was a starting point for improvement and not the end point.  Not enough was done and our bullpen and rotation keeps proving it. 

Nobody saw us competing after not even winning 60 games... I don't think they wanted to block guys like Gonsalves/Romero/Mejia.... Bullpen yes shoulda been upgraded a little.. Gibson should be pitching better and Hughes is making a bunch of money...