With the #5 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Minnesota Twins select…

[AlwaysinModeration]

While Dylan Crews, Wyatt Langford and Chase Dollander are mentioned as the top picks to target in the upcoming  the draft, I’m beginning to think that Wes Johnson’s best pitcher at LSU, Air Force transfer (like Griffin Jax) Paul Skenes should be the Twins’ pick at #5.

Here’s his line through the first three games of their season:

3G, 18IP, 1ER, 0.5ERA, 6H, 36K, 3BB

Getting an Aaron Nola vibe with Skenes.  Nola was also a LSU Friday pitcher who had amazing command in college.  He could have been the Twins fifth pick in 2014 instead of Nick Gordon.  Nola got picked by Philly at #7.

Of course, Nola never threw 100mph:

 

It certainly would be out of the norm for the Twins to draft a college pitcher.   But interesting connections (Wes Johnson, Air Force, the miss with a prior #5 LSU superstar) abound. I’m putting down a marker calling a Skenes’ pick by the Twins.  
 

Who do folks think will be the pick?

[ashbury]

"Will" be versus "should" be?  It's way too early to even try to guess one specific name.

Shortly before the draft, the Twins will likely "war game" the draft in 5 simple steps: who would they take if they had the #1 pick, who would they take if they were #2 and their first guy were already taken, and so on.  They only need to go 5 deep. If they are smarter than everyone else, then there will be 2-3 of these names available to them when the draft actually plays out - and if they are exactly as smart as everyone else then they will get who they wanted for #5 at #5.  (If they are dumber than everyone else, it will look to them for a while like they are smarter than everyone else.  )

In that same June-July timeframe, we amateurs/outsiders won't know what their thought process would be.  So folks like us will need to go 10 deep or so.  A lot more work, to sort things out, than if you have the luxury of doing just 5.

And then add to it that it's only March now and there is going to be a lot of rising and sinking of prospects' evaluations.  Now we need to consider two or three dozen?

Sorry, but I'm lazy and will not invest the effort at this time.   (Even if you change the question to "should" be.)  Lots of intriguing names in the mix.  Put me down for "not a corner bat."  Skenes?  Sounds fine.  Might or might not sound fine in July.

[Rigby]

Skenes has really piqued my interest. Can't wait to see him when the SEC schedule kicks in. I've been on Crews since early in his Freshman season. Have seen Langford quite a bit - very impressive. Dollander as well. Four strong candidates - and it's early. Gonna be a fun draft.

[jkcarew]

Put me down as not a ‘toolsy HS player’ with a questionable hit tool projection.

[AlwaysinModeration]

On 3/5/2023 at 2:18 PM, Rigby said:

Skenes has really piqued my interest. Can't wait to see him when the SEC schedule kicks in. I've been on Crews since early in his Freshman season. Have seen Langford quite a bit - very impressive. Dollander as well. Four strong candidates - and it's early. Gonna be a fun draft.

Last night vs Texas A&M, Skenes went 6.1 innings, 0 runs, 4h, 11K, 0BB.  Hitting 100 multiple times, 87mph slider.  Here is a quote from LSU pitching coach Wes Johnson:

“Stephen Strasburg is really the only comparison I can come up with at the college level,” Johnson said. “I saw David Price and a number of good guys, but there’s the talent, and there’s also the person aspect, too. He’s in complete control of himself, and he’s in complete control of his preparation. It’s just a great performance week after week.”

For me, Skenes is the guy, if he lasts until #5.

[Mike Sixel]

Skeynes isn't making it to five without an injury. 

[Vanimal46]

22 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Skeynes isn't making it to five without an injury. 

If he keeps this up he will be the consensus #1 overall pick…

30.1 IP - 0.59 ERA - 0.53 WHIP - .115 BAA - 59 K - 4 BB 

 

[Jocko87]

On 3/18/2023 at 11:13 AM, Mike Sixel said:

Skeynes isn't making it to five without an injury. 

Would they take him with an injury?  Say TJ and miss an entire rookie year.

I'm kinda thinking they might, considering the injury risks they are comfortable laying on other pitchers.  Prielipp is a good comp on the risk level they are comfortable with.  It would be great to get a guy who could pitch this year in the bigs but putting a talent like that a couple years away isn't the worst thing. 

Agreed that if he keeps this up he won't be there but maybe the Tennessee guy falls.  OK by me, he was the Strasburg a month ago.  Hard to imagine that there will be a bad option at #5 but the ace option is the stuff dreams are made of.  Fingers crossed one of them is there.

[Vanimal46]

I’m starting to think LSU might be a good baseball team. 

[SGL]

Skenes won't be there at 5