2023 MLB Draft Day 3 Thread

[Dman]

Sounds like another injury bet.  He was injured in 2022 and came back this year but the results were not great.  They must feel like another year of recovery will help him get his mojo back.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Jeremy Lee - South Alabama 5'11" - ranked 415 one site.   I don't know,  not seeing it unless a reliever.  Don't see much on pitch mix.  

[Mike Sixel]

Guess I was wrong on catcher in the first three picks. No shocker there....that I was wrong, I mean. What do I know?

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Garrett Mcmillan just got drafted again.  

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

if we get a catcher or I am expecting in the last couple picks,  likely a no name that they see something in.  Too many decent prospects still available.  The catching position just seemed to fall of a cliff this year on quality prospects.  

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Xander Hamilton,  6'3"  beefier 225lbs.  High strikeouts 12 per a 9.   Some tools to work with here.  My guess is another couple pitchers to get picked yet today.  

[Dman]

14 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Guess I was wrong on catcher in the first three picks. No shocker there....that I was wrong, I mean. What do I know?

Yeah me too.  Thought they would start with catcher several teams did the first couple of rounds. As stated they must have a couple of guys stashed at smaller schools they will take later.  They need some catchers though.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Im hoping in the next round or two Twins take a shot on Keaton Anthony.  Heck of a bat.  

[Dman]

Xander Hamilton sounds effectively wild but he has the stuff to strike guys out.  Hopefully a few tweaks and they have something.

[FlyingFinn]

16 minutes ago, Dman said:

Yeah me too.  Thought they would start with catcher several teams did the first couple of rounds.

Maybe the Twins think they really have someone in the minors between Camargo, Cossetti, and Cardenas and maybe Olivar.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Just now, FlyingFinn said:

Maybe the Twins think they really have someone in the minors between Camargo, Cossetti, and Cardenas and maybe Olivar.

I think the Twins feel comfortable with the Catching prospects they have.  They also likely have 1 or 2 pegged for the end of the draft.  This round a couple C came off the board, but its primarily been pitchers.  

[Dman]

1 minute ago, FlyingFinn said:

Maybe the Twins think they really have someone in the minors between Camargo, Cossetti, and Cardenas and maybe Olivar.

I don't disagree but they need some guys for A ball.  They can use Baez there for a bit but they usually grab at least two catchers per draft just to have guys for A ball.  The other ones should move out.  Maybe they only grab one this year but pretty sure they will grab at least one if not two.

 

[Dman]

I believe that is 9 pitcher's in a row.  Has to be some kind of record but they are short on young A ball pitchers so this makes a ton of sense.  Technically they need 5 starters and 5 or more relievers and there isn't much pitching coming from the FCL that I can see. Also with High school pitchers they won't likely start in A ball but will start in the FCL so they need arms. Still I have to believe they have a few position players up their sleeves yet though.

[Mike Sixel]

Ya, catching isn't about more prospects at this point, most likely, but that they need someone to catch at the lower levels.....

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Im not sure where the angst from catching prospects is coming from 

2017 Cosgrove 17, Bailey 37, Rodriguez 38

2018 Chris Williams 8th round Casanova 13th

2019  Schmidt 33 rd,  Isola 29th round

2021 Cardenas 8th, Winkel 9th

2022 Cossetti 11th, Baez 12th

If the value is there the Twins will grab catchers in rounds 8-12, if not they are completely comfortable waiting til the end of the draft to pick up a catcher or two.  

[Mike Sixel]

9 minutes ago, IA Bean Counter said:

Im not sure where the angst from catching prospects is coming from 

2017 Cosgrove 17, Bailey 37, Rodriguez 38

2018 Chris Williams 8th round Casanova 13th

2019  Schmidt 33 rd,  Isola 29th round

2021 Cardenas 8th, Winkel 9th

2022 Cossetti 11th, Baez 12th

If the value is there the Twins will grab catchers in rounds 8-12, if not they are completely comfortable waiting til the end of the draft to pick up a catcher or two.  

Um. Isn't that what we said? 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

I said it before and I think it is showing,  this is a deep class.  It is fairly clear the Twins feel there are a lot pitching prospects that have something they like that they can work with.  This is very good.   Hopefully the top of the draft pans out, because I am fairly confident a couple or more of these pitching prospects will pan out.  Lots of quality picks.  

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

4 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Um. Isn't that what we said? 

 "but that they need someone to catch at the lower levels....."      

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, IA Bean Counter said:

 "but that they need someone to catch at the lower levels....."      

That's not angst....I have no angst with the quality they have vs what's available. It's numbers.

I could be wrong, but didn't you say they take one or two at the end? 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Kade Bragg looks like another decent pick.  

 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

7 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

That's not angst....I have no angst with the quality they have vs what's available. It's numbers.

I could be wrong, but didn't you say they take one or two at the end? 

yes and last I checked we still have a few rounds left.  And I am completely comfortable with them drafting a prospect that late in the draft for the C position as its worked.    They are primarily filling positions and find lightning in a bottle.  Likely feel the catcher position is one that needs more coaching at these levels.   I think they have found more than enough organizational talent for the Catcher position after the 6th round.  

[Monkeypaws]

There will be some undrafted college seniors that can be signed to catch the lower minors, or other guys that get cut loose.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Monkeypaws said:

There will be some undrafted college seniors that can be signed to catch the lower minors, or other guys that get cut loose.

Right. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Or the Twins can trade for a few prospects.  Not a big deal across the board.  

[Dman]

30 minutes ago, IA Bean Counter said:

Im not sure where the angst from catching prospects is coming from 

2017 Cosgrove 17, Bailey 37, Rodriguez 38

2018 Chris Williams 8th round Casanova 13th

2019  Schmidt 33 rd,  Isola 29th round

2021 Cardenas 8th, Winkel 9th

2022 Cossetti 11th, Baez 12th

If the value is there the Twins will grab catchers in rounds 8-12, if not they are completely comfortable waiting til the end of the draft to pick up a catcher or two.  

No angst they don't have to take a catcher at all in the draft just noting that they usually do and mainly in the bottom half.  Only two picks left and they still haven't grabbed one.  I just figured they would grab at least one.  They can sign guys outside the draft as well I just thought they would do their normal thing but looks like I am going to be wrong.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Maybe the Twins think they really have someone in the minors between Camargo, Cossetti, and Cardenas and maybe Olivar.

Either way, catcher is such a crap shoot, I'm starting to think they should deal with the position like they have been the rotation. If you can't grow one yourself (and they still may), trade for one that's MLB ready or even has a couple years under his belt. I think a catcher in A ball is even more unpredictable than the other positions. Which are already extremely unpredictable.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Took a 1st baseman in the 19th round Sam Parker.  When researching found Winokur had the highest average exit velocity during the June 2023 combine and Sam Parker had the furthest distance of any player.  

Highest average exit velocity (batting practice)
(# of batted balls in parentheses)

108.3 mph (9) - Brandon Winokur, OF, Edison HS (Calif.) (No. 72)
106.7 mph (8) - George Wolkow, OF, Downers Grove North HS (Ill.) (No. 68)
102.5 mph (9) - Joe Vetrano, 1B, Boston College
101.3 mph (11) - TayShaun Walton, CF, IMG Academy (Fla.) (No. 165)
100.9 mph (14) - Jonathon Long, 3B, Long Beach State
100.5 mph (16) - Kemp Alderman, OF, Mississippi (No. 62)
100.3 mph (13) - Trent Caraway, SS, JSerra Catholic HS (Calif.) (No. 67)
100.3 mph (12) - Myles Naylor, 3B, St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS (Canada) (No. 59)
100.3 mph (5) - Caden Sorrell, CF, Marcus HS (Texas) (No. 76)
99.7 mph (11) - Gavin Grahovac, SS, Villa Park HS (Calif.) (No. 146)

Longest maximum distance (batting practice)

456 feet - Sam Parker, 1B/OF, Kennesaw Mountain HS (Ga.)
443 feet - Kemp Alderman, OF, Mississippi (No. 62)
437 feet - Brandon Winokur, OF, Edison HS (Calif.) (No. 72)
437 feet - Will Simpson, INF, Washington
435 feet - Andrew Wiggins, OF/RHP, Heritage Christian (Ind.)
431 feet - George Wolkow, Downers Grove North (IL.) (No. 68)
429 feet - Daniel Cuvet, INF/RHP, ESB Academy (Fla.)
429 feet - Sabin Ceballos, 3B, Oregon (No. 153)
424 feet - Alfonsin Rosario, CF, P27 Academy (S.C.)
424 feet - Luke Keaschall, SS, Arizona State (No. 90)

[nicksaviking]

Fun, a HS kid in round 19. Guessing he's a longshot to sign, but you never know.

Probably a good position to take the chance on, since 1B don't go nearly as high as they used to unless they're an elite talent.

[Dman]

Twins came prepped to take pitching this draft.  They have been using a lot of guys from the independant league's so actually having more options with freshly drafted younger arms seemed necessary if you ask me.

The Twins have been very good at balanced drafts but given the strenght of bats in the system and weakness of arms I think they needed an uneven draft to even that out.  I have no idea if these late round arms are going to help much but given the quantity drafted odds are good they will find a few good ones.

I really like their draft. Loved they went with high upside high school kids early. I Don't think I would have changed much. Some safe solid plays mixed in with higher risk players and good value in the 1st round.  I think they did just fine. Just need to hope we can turn some of them into star players.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Monkeypaws said:

There will be some undrafted college seniors that can be signed to catch the lower minors, or other guys that get cut loose.

BT Riopelle of Florida is a good one to call.