Minnesota Twins All-Time Best Draft Pick From Each Round

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

While free agency and trades dominate the headlines, the MLB Draft remains a crucial pillar for sustained success. The Minnesota Twins have built their best rosters by hitting on players in every round from first overall to deep Day 2 gems. Here's a look at the best Twins draft pick from each of the first twenty rounds and a few honorable mentions who left their own mark on the franchise.

1st Round: C Joe Mauer (1st Overall, 2001)
When the Twins took Mauer first overall out of St. Paul’s Cretin-Derham Hall, they made a bold choice to pass on Mark Prior. That pick couldn’t have gone much better. Mauer became the face of the franchise for over a decade, winning the 2009 AL MVP and earning three batting titles, still the only catcher in AL history to accomplish that feat. The six-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner spent his entire 15-year career in Minnesota, a rare feat in today’s game. He topped off his career by being a first-ballot Hall of Famer
Honorable Mentions: Torii Hunter, Chuck Knoblauch
Hunter’s highlight-reel defense and Knoblauch’s Rookie of the Year season make them first-round hits as well.

2nd Round: RHP Frank Viola (37th Overall, 1981)
Viola went from a second-rounder out of St. John’s University to a World Series MVP just seven years later. “Sweet Music” was instrumental in the 1987 championship run, then captured the 1988 AL Cy Young Award after a 24-win season. His smooth delivery and big-game poise made him one of the most impactful pitchers in team history.
Honorable Mentions: Butch Wynegar, Scott Baker
Wynegar became an All-Star at age 20, while Baker quietly posted several solid seasons during the 2000s.

3rd Round: RHP Bert Blyleven (55th Overall, 1969)
Drafted at just 18, Blyleven broke into the majors a year later and quickly showed off his signature curveball. Across two stints with the Twins, he tallied 149 of his 287 career wins and 2,035 of his 3,701 strikeouts. A two-time World Series champion and Hall of Famer, Blyleven’s impact spanned generations, both on the mound and later in the broadcast booth.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Morneau, A.J. Pierzynski
Morneau won an MVP and mashed 221 homers with Minnesota. Pierzynski brought consistency behind the plate and netted the Twins a franchise-altering trade return.

4th Round: 3B Graig Nettles (74th Overall, 1965)
Though he made his biggest mark with the Yankees, Greg Nettles started his career in Minnesota. He debuted in 1967 and showed off the power and glove that would define a long, successful career. Ultimately, he finished with 390 home runs, six All-Star appearances, and two Gold Gloves.
Honorable Mentions: Scott Erickson, Eddie Rosario
Erickson led the AL in wins during the 1991 title season. Rosario brought firepower and flair during the Bomba Squad era.

5th Round: RHP Dave Goltz (97th Overall, 1967)
Goltz was a workhorse during the 1970s, leading the AL in starts and wins once in 1977. He spent parts of eight seasons with the Twins and finished his career with over 113 victories, including six straight double-digit win seasons in Minnesota.
Honorable Mention: Doug Mientkiewicz
A defensive wizard at first base, Mientkiewicz helped anchor the early-2000s resurgence and won a Gold Glove in 2001.

6th Round: RHP Pat Neshek (182nd Overall, 2002)
With a funky delivery and elite command, Neshek carved out a 13-year MLB career. He made his debut in 2006, striking out 53 batters in just 37 innings with the Twins. Though injuries shortened his time in Minnesota, he made two All-Star teams later in his career and became a fan favorite for multiple organizations. 
Honorable Mention: N/A
This round belongs to Neshek.

7th Round: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (180th Overall, 1991)
Hawkins pitched in the big leagues for 21 seasons, including his first nine with the Twins. After early struggles as a starter, Hawkins found success in the bullpen. He posted a 1.86 ERA in 2002 and later became a respected veteran presence across multiple teams, finishing with over 1,000 appearances.
Honorable Mention: Mark Guthrie
A key lefty in the early ‘90s bullpen and a contributor to the 1991 World Series team.

8th Round: RHP Brad Radke (206th Overall, 1991)
Radke defined reliability. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Twins, winning 148 games and walking fewer than two batters per nine innings. His 1997 All-Star season (20 wins) highlighted his consistency, and he became the steadying force during the franchise’s transition from the dark 1990s to playoff contenders in the 2000s.
Honorable Mention: Brian Dozier
Dozier blossomed into a home run-hitting second baseman, peaking with 42 bombs in 2016.

9th Round: C Mitch Garver (260th Overall, 2013)
Garver powered his way into a key role on the 2019 Bomba Squad, belting 31 home runs in just 93 games en route to winning a Silver Slugger. Injuries hampered his consistency, but his offensive upside at a premium position made him one of the best ninth-round finds in club history.
Honorable Mentions: LaMonte Wade Jr., Steve Lombardozzi
Wade found success in San Francisco, while Lombardozzi was a key part of the Twins’ 1987 title run.

10th Round: SS Steve Braun (200th Overall, 1966)
Steve Braun was a versatile hitter with a career .271 average and a sharp eye at the plate. He spent five seasons in Minnesota and later won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1982. His bat and plate discipline kept him in the majors for 15 seasons, proving the value of a solid 10th-rounder.
Honorable Mentions: Jeff Reboulet, Marty Cordova
Cordova won AL Rookie of the Year in 1995, while Reboulet provided valuable depth during the mid-'90s.

Here are the other standout draft picks from rounds 11-20.
11th Round: RHP Taylor Rogers
12th Round: RHP Bailey Ober
13th Round: OF Matt Lawton
14th Round: RHP Mike Trombley
15th Round: C Rick Dempsey
16th Round: OF Jim Eisenreich 
17th Round: 1B Kent Hrbek
18th Round: 2B Edouard Julien
19th Round: 3B Danny Valencia
20th Round: C Damian Miller

Drafting is as much art as it is science, and while not every pick pans out, the Twins have found elite talent in every corner of the draft board. These selections, with some stars and other steady contributors, represent the foundation of Twins history. As the organization looks to the future, their past draft success provides a reminder of just how impactful one good pick can be.

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Which round stands out the most? What was the best pick in the late rounds? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[Blyleven2011]

The one I believe that hurt the most was trading Craig nettles , uhlaender,  chance and another to Cleveland  , the twins received tiant and Stan Williams  ...

Nettles was a good gold glove third basemen and almost hit 400 homers ,   he made his mark in a Yankee uniform ...

Tiant was only a twin for a year cause Calvin thought his arm was through , he went on to be another twin that became a legend in a Boston uniform ...

Bad trade for Calvin and the twins fans ...

Honorable mention  ...

Another bad decision by Calvin because he thought his arm was bad and probably contract issues was kitty kaat waived and white Sox picked him up in 1973  , he only went on to pitch until he was 44 , 25 years in the big leagues ...

[Rufus]

Kirby Puckett was a 1st round third overall pick in 1982.  I think he ranks equally or better than Mauer.

[IndianaTwin]

10 minutes ago, Rufus said:

Kirby Puckett was a 1st round third overall pick in 1982.  I think he ranks equally or better than Mauer.

Puckett was picked in the January draft. I suspect this is only looking at the June drafts. It would be interesting to see what other picks from the January draft have been significant. 

Best pick in the late rounds is Hrbek in the 17th, and you could say that even if you defined the "late picks" as starting in the fourth round. At worst, he's their third-best pick ever, behind only Mauer and Blyleven (with the caveat of not counting Puckett's January selection). 

[Linus]

Brad Radke in the 8 th round. That was a nice bonus. 

[twinstalker]

Julien is their best pick in the 18th?  A random hole in the draft, along with spot 20.