A pathway that the Twins could draft Paul Skenes in the draft

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

The article today about the batters got me thinking about the tops prospects and who would be the Twins #1 pick.  Due to their draft philosphy,  I think Skenes checks all the boxes.  He is a big pitcher, he is 6' 6" has a large frame, and has all the tools you could ask for.  He has been coached by Wes Johnson and the Twins obviously would be able to get the necessary intel to be willing to pick.  He is obviously considered one of the top 2 prospects in the draft with Dylan Crews.  The question then becomes how would the Twins be able to pick him at #5 -  and as I stated in the post to the article today, it sure seems like a pipe dream.  Well here is how I see this possibly playing out.  

• Pirates — $16,185,700.00
• Tigers — $15,747,200.00
• Nationals — $14,502,400.00
• Twins — $14,345,600.00

Currently the Twins have the #4 most slotted money.   The Twins are essentially even with the Nationals,  and 1 1/2 million behind the Tigers.  This ultimately comes down to the Pirates.  Crews has been labeled as the #1A or #1B pick since last year.  he would have been on the pirates radar for over a year.  Due to the extensive evaluation and the fact that arms are more likely to blow up that bats,  the consensus has been the Pirates pick Crews. 

This then comes down to 2 major issues.  The Tigers are a tad light on hitting prospects,  do they go for a Langford over Skenes due to their organizational needs.  Langford is not that much of a fall off from Crews.  I could easily see the Tigers take Langford and again avoid the risk of taking an arm prospect.  

Ultimately this comes to Skene's camp.  As much as anything,  baseball is a sport where you can semi pick where you want to go by issuing salary damands or telling teams not to pick you.  Between the Pirates, Tigers, Nationals and Twins - the Twins have been by far the most steady franchise of the 4.  The Nationals did get a haul in their big trade from San Diego.   Beyond that the 3 organizations have been a bit of a mess.  Add in the Wes Johnson factor.  Wes and the Twins created a system that likely is identical or very close to what he is doing at LSU.   The philosophy and relationship between Wes Johnson and the Twins could end up being a major factor that I have not seen anyone else discuss.  He could potentially leave 1 million dollars or a little less if the Twins were to go over slot compared to the Tigers - however once you get past the Tigers The Twins are essentially even money with the Nationals.  For a million dollars being in an Organization that has the same philosophies that allowed you to succeed at LSU and an organization that has had a slightly better reputation and more willing to look at the science side of baseball  could end up being a win win for the Twins.  We will have to wait and see,  but this might not be as much of a pipe dream as I originally thought it may be.