3 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks Who Could Turn Out to Be Steals

[Cory Sparks]

Image courtesy of © Bruce Newman/Special to the Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There are three main ways to thrive in player acquisition as a major-league ball club: nail free agency; make brilliant trades; or draft sharply and develop well. The Minnesota Twins got the big names like Vahn Lackey early on, but they also swiped some steals in the 2026 MLB Draft. Let’s dive in. 

Tommy LaPour (Round 4, Pick 107)

A dearth of pitching depth has been a hot topic for the Twins lately, so it should come as no shock that they used three straight picks (starting in Competitive Balance Round B) to address that need. Tommy LaPour could go down as a serious bargain buy. The TCU right-handed pitcher could’ve gone earlier in the draft, per MLB.com, but elbow issues stifled his 2026 campaign and knocked his draft stock down a bit. LaPour looked remarkable in the 2025 season, registering an 8-3 record with a 3.09 earned run average and 88 punchouts over 90 1/3 innings pitched. 

LaPour’s fastball leads his arsenal, coming in with a 60 grade on MLB Pipeline’s 20-to-80 scouting grade scale. The 21-year-old can push his fastball through the zone in the 95-98 MPH range (and he has reached 101 before), with plenty of sinking action. His secondary offering is a mid-80s slider, operating with two-plane depth and coming in at a 55 grade. LaPour is still learning to harness the breaking ball, as he can’t always control the pitch or land it for strikes on command. 

Thomas Burns (Round 8, Pick 227)

One could argue the Twins got Thomas Burns right around his true value, as Minnesota picked MLB Pipeline’s 221st-ranked draft prospect in the 227th spot. Another pitcher, Burns works with a large frame and can do serious damage with his fastball. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Hortonville, Wis. product has a 70-grade fastball that sits between 95-98 miles per hour.

Burns was a rotational piece for the Arizona State Sun Devils before tendinitis pushed him to the injured list and eventually led him to relief obligations with the Texas Longhorns. Burns only managed an unsightly 5.64 ERA this year, but he struck out an impressive 42% of his opposing hitters. Burns also flashes a 50-grade cutter, but he struggles to land the bullet-spin breaker for strikes. 

His stuff can be overpowering, but the 35-grade control means that he's often working from behind or catching too much of the zone. If the Twins can toy with a pretty complex delivery and shave down what was a 16% walk rate over three years in college, this could be a dynamite reliever.

Aidan Teel (Round 11, Pick 317)

Aidan Teel is the final member of this list, and his last name is no coincidence. The brother of former first-round pick Kyle Teel, Aidan proved to be a key piece in Mississippi State’s success throughout the 2026 season. The red-shirt Junior was set up to have a decorated season, and was the 28th-ranked outfielder in the country, per D1Baseball; 82nd-ranked junior, per Perfect Game; and even a Preseason All-American Fourth Team honoree. 

Teel was a cornerstone for this year’s group. He put up a .294 batting average with five home runs, 22 runs batted in and a .449 slugging percentage. He hit north of the .300 mark over a pair of seasons before this, showcasing an ability to hit at a high level while walking (52) nearly as much as he struck out (70) over his collegiate career. He's not as talented as his brother, but between his family ties and his production, there's cause to hope that he'll be much better than your standard-issue 11th-rounder.

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[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Lapour I completely agree with.  He is an intense bulldog.  Sean Johnson said if he had been healthy this year he is most likely a #1 draft pick.  I agree.  He seemed to do everything right.  Fastball 60  Slider 55 Changeup 50  Control 50   but he is only a 45 prospect LOL.   Maybe some injury risk.  His 2025 stats were better than a Volchko 2026.  It was mentioned on one of the podcasts ive listened to - that the Twins are slightly leaning into propects that have been wrestlers - super competitive.   Keaschall,  Lapour and I believe 1 more middle infielder.    They view him as a starter along with Murdock.  

Burns - I completely agree.  JD Cameron says he could be in the bullpen by 2027 and honestly if he can figure out a little more control and 1 secondary pitch.  Game on.  

JT Raab is the big lanky pitcher that could fill out and really develop in the next year.  

Colby Turner is an excellent bat infielder that performed really well in a power 4 conference. 

Isaiah Lane - good frame good defense,  decent bat.  I think they see upside here.   

The rest are lottery tickets in my mind.  Not to say things can't click or ect.  I mean I can like Prather and some of the pitchers.  Teel is solid but is getting drafted as much to the family name.    

 

[LyleCole]

Every draft brings the  joy of the upside.  But I see a lot of relievers in this group which lowers their draft value significantly.  

Comp B  Brett Renfrow -  I see a lot of Cole Sands profile here.  Similar size and pitch selection.  I am sure they will start his professional career as a starter.  

Round 3   Ethan Wachsman   Big HS kid with raw stuff that will take a big bonus to lure him away from Wake Forest (I am sure the Twins already know that parameter).   He is all the projections of an 18 year old kid.  

Round 4  Tommy LaPour  I think he will also start his career as a starter but I worry about the elbow issue that impacted his 2026 career.  IF he can develop his slider and change, he might be able to stay a starter but he lacks control on his slider.

Round 5   Steele Murdock   I see his future as a reliever and he was a solid closer in the Cape.

In the later rounds, I see Bayles and Burns profiling as relief pitchers.  

But relief pitchers are valuable, especially in the modern game, and you need significant depth there.   

I think this draft is a much different draft if they select a college arm that profiles as a MLB starter in round 2 instead of doubling up on the catcher position (although I just do not see Tinney as a catcher in professional baseball).

[Cris E]

Am I imagining things or did they draft a lot more pitchers in the 6'3"/220+ size than the earlier willowy 6'6"/180 kids?  If you look at the broken guys they are whip-thin tall guys that were supposed to grow up, fill out and power up (eg Festa, Raya, Rojas. and even the uncoordinated Hill.) But many seem to be getting hurt prior to figuring things out, so are they drafting size now so they only have to wait for command?  It sort of seems to be what other orgs have been doing for years, but maybe they're learning. (Don't laugh, could happen.)

[Dman]

I like this draft for the Twins.  I feel like they played the odds the way I would.  They got one of the top 3 players in this draft and possibly the top player depending on how things work out.  The Tinney pick is the one pick I didn't completely understand, but I see the upside.  They managed a nice solid college arm in Renfrow and then an arm that might have been a top 20 pick or better in a later draft with their 3rd round pick. So they got a top bat and top arm in this class so hard to argue the first three rounds.

I do like LaPour a lot, but do question the elbow.  I'm sure the Twins did their due diligence there, but I'm sure that's why other teams shied away.  Still it seems like a good gamble in the fourth round.

I like Burns and his huge fastball and I like that they went arms that can already throw mid to high 90's heat. This system needs a lot more high octane arms.  So I love that they went with arms closer to the top of the draft rather than bottom to gain some upside.

I get that some of those arms are there to save money for Wachsmann, but you want to take big swings early on the rare talent that is there and I applaud the Twins for doing that.  If they manage to get an MLB bat and starter arm out of this draft anything else will be gravy. 

[weitz41]

2 hours ago, Cris E said:

Am I imagining things or did they draft a lot more pitchers in the 6'3"/220+ size than the earlier willowy 6'6"/180 kids?  If you look at the broken guys they are whip-thin tall guys that were supposed to grow up, fill out and power up (eg Festa, Raya, Rojas. and even the uncoordinated Hill.) But many seem to be getting hurt prior to figuring things out, so are they drafting size now so they only have to wait for command?  It sort of seems to be what other orgs have been doing for years, but maybe they're learning. (Don't laugh, could happen.)

I noticed that as well. Picking middle linebackers rather the tall skinny point guards. Maybe that skips the "When they fill out" part?

To the post, Burns is the steal for me. Every bit a BP arm. Some coaching and a little luck and he could be a dandy SP. If not he's a BP arm to keep an eye on.

Teel is an interesting prospect. Probably gets a little down note due to Twins current crop of OFr's. A lot there to like.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

6 hours ago, LyleCole said:

Every draft brings the  joy of the upside.  But I see a lot of relievers in this group which lowers their draft value significantly.  

Comp B  Brett Renfrow -  I see a lot of Cole Sands profile here.  Similar size and pitch selection.  I am sure they will start his professional career as a starter.  

Round 3   Ethan Wachsman   Big HS kid with raw stuff that will take a big bonus to lure him away from Wake Forest (I am sure the Twins already know that parameter).   He is all the projections of an 18 year old kid.  

Round 4  Tommy LaPour  I think he will also start his career as a starter but I worry about the elbow issue that impacted his 2026 career.  IF he can develop his slider and change, he might be able to stay a starter but he lacks control on his slider.

Round 5   Steele Murdock   I see his future as a reliever and he was a solid closer in the Cape.

In the later rounds, I see Bayles and Burns profiling as relief pitchers.  

But relief pitchers are valuable, especially in the modern game, and you need significant depth there.   

I think this draft is a much different draft if they select a college arm that profiles as a MLB starter in round 2 instead of doubling up on the catcher position (although I just do not see Tinney as a catcher in professional baseball).

I predict Tinney will be traded soon. He will not be needed. I don't know why he was selected, despite the fact that Johnson said he was the best available player.  Should have grabbed another pitcher at that pick. 

[DocBauer]

Absolutely agree on LaPour as a high velocity, quality arm that could be really good. This draft's version of Ellwanger last year?

I also like Steele Murdock in the 5th round. I think there's some good clay to work with there.

I can't call Renfrow a steal as he was a high pick, but I see another Matthews, solid repetoire, solid results, add a couple MPH and tunnel his stuff a little better and we might have something. But again, I can't call him a steal.

I'm going to echo 2B Turner as a possible steal. Guy seems like a "gamer" who has a really good bat with power. Can he be an average glove man? If so, we might have something there.

Also agree on Burns. I don't know if he can race all the way to MLB in 2027 or not. More than likely, he works out in Ft Myers with the other pitchers and we don't see him throw until 2027. Need to work on SOME kind of better control overall and get his cutter more consistent. Being such a large kid, would he be a good candidate for a splitter? It's my understanding that you need fairly large hands to throw a splitter. It's a dangerous pitch for someone who has control issues, but it also seems to be the perfect 3rd offering playing off a 100mph FB and a cutter. 

14th rounder Bouchard reminds me a lot of 13th rounder David Festa, just a little shorter. Tall and lanky and needs to pack on some pounds. But how much harder might he be throwing a year from now after velocity camp and adding a good 10-15lbs?

[DocBauer]

I know this OP is about steals, and while we can't call any success of a 2nd rounder a steal, Tinney has been brought up. So I'm going to hijack the thread for a moment.

I've already stated elsewhere he was not only a surprise, but my knee-jerk reaction was "WTH"?! But I'm actually starting to like his selection now. I have no doubt the Twins were "hijacked" by other teams just before the pick. But I believe Johnson when he says he was the top player on their board at the time. And I'm big on catchers and catcher development within the system. Unfortunately, other than Jeffers, previous selections simply haven't turned out.

But speaking of Jeffers, I see a close resemblance to him in Tinney. Probably more power, a stronger arm, but not as good of a hitter as Jeffers. But a lot of his K's...from what I've heard...weren't do to chasing, but rather maybe being a but to passive at times and then missing a pitch in the zone as he worked the count too much.

But in a fantasy world where Lacky is the future STUD #1, let's say Tinney, Tait, and Jimenez all progress and become ML caliber players. (This is a fantasy, they probably aren't all going to make it). 

Lackey is a special #1. SOMEONE has to be the #2. For giggles, let's say Tinney is that guy with a big arm, big power, and can hit a little. Tait maybe becomes the next big bat at 1B? Jiminez turns out to be a valuable trade chip to someone needing a good, young catcher with a decent bat. Or maybe Jimenez becomes the #2, one of Tait or Tinney becomes the future, power bat at 1B, and the other is trade bait.

I guess my whole point is I don't see Tinney as a superfluous selection when Tait and Jimenez...despite talent...are 19 and 20 years old in high A ball.

[Seth Stohs]

10 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

 It was mentioned on one of the podcasts ive listened to - that the Twins are slightly leaning into propects that have been wrestlers - super competitive.   Keaschall,  Lapour and I believe 1 more middle infielder.   

Burns - I completely agree.  JD Cameron says he could be in the bullpen by 2027 and honestly if he can figure out a little more control and 1 secondary pitch.  Game on.  

JT Raab is the big lanky pitcher that could fill out and really develop in the next year.  

Colby Turner is an excellent bat infielder that performed really well in a power 4 conference. 

Isaiah Lane - good frame good defense, decent bat.  I think they see upside here.   

The rest are lottery tickets in my mind.  Not to say things can't click or ect.  I mean I can like Prather and some of the pitchers.  Teel is solid but is getting drafted as much to the family name.    

 

Louis Varland was the other wrestler of note from recent years. I like the theory of those picks. 

Raab is a senior sign. 

Lane will be interesting to follow... Hopefully all on the field. 

[Seth Stohs]

8 hours ago, LyleCole said:

Every draft brings the  joy of the upside.  But I see a lot of relievers in this group which lowers their draft value significantly.  

Comp B  Brett Renfrow -  I see a lot of Cole Sands profile here.  Similar size and pitch selection.  I am sure they will start his professional career as a starter.  

Round 3   Ethan Wachsman   Big HS kid with raw stuff that will take a big bonus to lure him away from Wake Forest (I am sure the Twins already know that parameter).   He is all the projections of an 18 year old kid.  

Round 4  Tommy LaPour  I think he will also start his career as a starter but I worry about the elbow issue that impacted his 2026 career.  IF he can develop his slider and change, he might be able to stay a starter but he lacks control on his slider.

Round 5   Steele Murdock   I see his future as a reliever and he was a solid closer in the Cape.

In the later rounds, I see Bayles and Burns profiling as relief pitchers.  

But relief pitchers are valuable, especially in the modern game, and you need significant depth there.   

I think this draft is a much different draft if they select a college arm that profiles as a MLB starter in round 2 instead of doubling up on the catcher position (although I just do not see Tinney as a catcher in professional baseball).

If they get a few MLB relievers out of this draft class, that'd be spectacular... Really just need one of them to become a rotation regular for success. I like the size and the power arms... Let player/pitcher development work with him and we what they have in 2-3 years. 

[Seth Stohs]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I predict Tinney will be traded soon. He will not be needed. I don't know why he was selected, despite the fact that Johnson said he was the best available player.  Should have grabbed another pitcher at that pick. 

Define "soon"? 

Why would they trade him "soon"? I'm not a huge fan of the pick in terms of player type and versatility. I am a fan of guys who can flat-out rake. 

I guess they could trade him at the deadline, I just can't imagine a team doing that... 

 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

I know this OP is about steals, and while we can't call any success of a 2nd rounder a steal, Tinney has been brought up. So I'm going to hijack the thread for a moment.

I've already stated elsewhere he was not only a surprise, but my knee-jerk reaction was "WTH"?! But I'm actually starting to like his selection now. I have no doubt the Twins were "hijacked" by other teams just before the pick. But I believe Johnson when he says he was the top player on their board at the time. And I'm big on catchers and catcher development within the system. Unfortunately, other than Jeffers, previous selections simply haven't turned out.

But speaking of Jeffers, I see a close resemblance to him in Tinney. Probably more power, a stronger arm, but not as good of a hitter as Jeffers. But a lot of his K's...from what I've heard...weren't do to chasing, but rather maybe being a but to passive at times and then missing a pitch in the zone as he worked the count too much.

But in a fantasy world where Lacky is the future STUD #1, let's say Tinney, Tait, and Jimenez all progress and become ML caliber players. (This is a fantasy, they probably aren't all going to make it). 

Lackey is a special #1. SOMEONE has to be the #2. For giggles, let's say Tinney is that guy with a big arm, big power, and can hit a little. Tait maybe becomes the next big bat at 1B? Jiminez turns out to be a valuable trade chip to someone needing a good, young catcher with a decent bat. Or maybe Jimenez becomes the #2, one of Tait or Tinney becomes the future, power bat at 1B, and the other is trade bait.

I guess my whole point is I don't see Tinney as a superfluous selection when Tait and Jimenez...despite talent...are 19 and 20 years old in high A ball.

I will one up you. I didn’t mention Tinney because of being a second round pick.  However even with minimal information this is effectively my take on him and likely the Twins thoughts and I do agree they likely had a player or two taken before. 
 

Johnson said 3 interesting thins on drafting catchers and Tinney in particular. He was the best position player on the board 2. In most years the catching prospects they had targeted were sniped early 3. They view Tinney defense and hit tool better than most saying he improved his defensive metrics during the season and his in zone swing and miss improved in season as well.  He started off the season pressing and still ended with elite numbers.  
 

So what do we know, he is a big guy, he is actual pretty agile there is one block where he jumped behind the hitter to block and he has a cannon of an arm.  Pitch framing and better blocking appear to be the focuses.  Defense will keep him at catcher but his bat is what will get him to the MLB level.  Once he hit the ball it flies. Only 1 other player hit it harder.   If the hit tool is good enough - you have Cal Raleigh. I think the Twins really like him. He has an excellent drive to get better and the was the stated reason they decided to believe in him and draft him. Yes the stats were really good with hit tool concerns, yes there are some defensive concerns (he won the gold glove award this year). When catchers with any upside are taken early for the draft to effectively fall into place for the Twins even if it was a focus for them as well we take it.  
 

Ultimately I see him as a better Jeffers.  Worst case defensively it doesn’t work out and he becomes a first base man. I just think baseline he is able to be a catcher, this even if the hit tool is still a little light, he still likely provides good to elite production from the catcher position.  

[DocBauer]

20 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I will one up you. I didn’t mention Tinney because of being a second round pick.  However even with minimal information this is effectively my take on him and likely the Twins thoughts and I do agree they likely had a player or two taken before. 
 

Johnson said 3 interesting thins on drafting catchers and Tinney in particular. He was the best position player on the board 2. In most years the catching prospects they had targeted were sniped early 3. They view Tinney defense and hit tool better than most saying he improved his defensive metrics during the season and his in zone swing and miss improved in season as well.  He started off the season pressing and still ended with elite numbers.  
 

So what do we know, he is a big guy, he is actual pretty agile there is one block where he jumped behind the hitter to block and he has a cannon of an arm.  Pitch framing and better blocking appear to be the focuses.  Defense will keep him at catcher but his bat is what will get him to the MLB level.  Once he hit the ball it flies. Only 1 other player hit it harder.   If the hit tool is good enough - you have Cal Raleigh. I think the Twins really like him. He has an excellent drive to get better and the was the stated reason they decided to believe in him and draft him. Yes the stats were really good with hit tool concerns, yes there are some defensive concerns (he won the gold glove award this year). When catchers with any upside are taken early for the draft to effectively fall into place for the Twins even if it was a focus for them as well we take it.  
 

Ultimately I see him as a better Jeffers.  Worst case defensively it doesn’t work out and he becomes a first base man. I just think baseline he is able to be a catcher, this even if the hit tool is still a little light, he still likely provides good to elite production from the catcher position.  

100% agree.

It's funny how often there are debates about acquiring and developing catchers with potential, but so many are up in anger they didn't select a pitcher at that point.

Actually, it's very similar to when Jeffers was drafted and so many were questioning his selection because they didn't know who he was.

Well, that turned out pretty good.

I also hear that he really wants to remain a catcher and be the best he can be. And IMO, that's important. It takes a different mindset to WANT to be a catcher. 

I'd bet you dollars to Navy beans that had Lackey been selected by the Sox or Rays, we'd be hearing praises about grabbing Tinney in the second round. 

Funny how things turn out. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

7 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Define "soon"? 

Why would they trade him "soon"? I'm not a huge fan of the pick in terms of player type and versatility. I am a fan of guys who can flat-out rake. 

I guess they could trade him at the deadline, I just can't imagine a team doing that... 

 

Thanks Seth. I really was envisioning trading Tinney for a good reliever  or two at the trade deadline if the Twins are still contending then.  For example the Angels have no real catching prospects in their top 30 prospects. Devillo , who is only 18, will probably be moved to 3B or DH and is too good a hitter to remain at catcher and not a good athlete. Flores, who is 20, can't hit his way out of a paper bag. The Angels could easily trade Kirby Yates and Bret Suter (a lefty) , both of whom are on 1 year contracts and are in their late 30's and are still effective veteran relievers,  and who are worthless to the hapless Angels as relievers, plus the Angels could  possibly add 29 year old  Soriano as a starting pitcher, who is eligible for arbitration next year and is only being paid $2.9 million this year. This would give the Twins 2 solid relievers for the post season run, which they desperately need., plus one more good starting pitcher. The Angels are going nowhere any time soon, and need to rebuild with youth.

[LyleCole]

12 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

If they get a few MLB relievers out of this draft class, that'd be spectacular... Really just need one of them to become a rotation regular for success. I like the size and the power arms... Let player/pitcher development work with him and we what they have in 2-3 years. 

Getting anyone from the draft to be a major league contributor is spectacular.  

Hopefully we get a few MLB relievers (for the Twins) out of this draft.  But that is far from the most likely outcome.

I guess I am not as optimistic about Twins scouting or development as you are.  And, I am very pessimistic on the Twins medical staff who cannot seem to keep pitchers healthy.