Reverse Standings and the 2014 MLB Draft

[cmb0252]

I see Seattle won, so we've got 5th in the bag with hopes for 4th. Honestly hoping we lose out and grab the 4th spot. Future is more important than 1000 wins for Gardy.

 

If we knew for sure Gardy wasn't coming back I would root for his 1000th win but all indications point to him being back next year. The money difference in picks is just too much for me not to watch the Twins to have a higher pick.

[InfraRen]

If we knew for sure Gardy wasn't coming back I would root for his 1000th win but all indications point to him being back next year. The money difference in picks is just too much for me not to watch the Twins to have a higher pick.

 

Exactly. Pretty exciting to know that we should (if the Twins want) end up with someone like Turner, Hoffman, Touissant, Jackson, Beede or Gatewood.

[cmb0252]

Exactly. Pretty exciting to know that we should (if the Twins want) end up with someone like Turner, Hoffman, Touissant, Jackson, Beede or Gatewood.

 

Don't forget Kolek! Twins showed last year they are not afraid of taking a HS power arm. Dude has such a nasty fastball.

[Winston Smith]

We must respect the game and try winning every game. I learned that reading the unwritten rules of baseball!

[IdahoPilgrim]

We must respect the game and try winning every game. I learned that reading the unwritten rules of baseball!

 

Wow, those glasses really do work!

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Exactly. Pretty exciting to know that we should (if the Twins want) end up with someone like Turner, Hoffman, Touissant, Jackson, Beede or Gatewood.

 

I would drop Toussaint and Beede off of that list (for now). Definitely add Kolek (better prospect than Stewart at this point a year ago). Give me a top 5 of Rodon, Kolek, Jackson, Hoffman and Turner right now and I'd be happy with any of them.

[maxisagod]

I would drop Toussaint and Beede off of that list (for now). Definitely add Kolek (better prospect than Stewart at this point a year ago). Give me a top 5 of Rodon, Kolek, Jackson, Hoffman and Turner right now and I'd be happy with any of them.

 

That would probably be my list too. There are little things I enjoy as a prospect watcher, like being included in every short hand ranking of predraft prospects (top 5) . Or being ahead of the Cubs and grabbing guys they like, after they target several international players this year. It's not much, but I'd rather pick ahead of them instead of right behind them.

[twinsfan34]

Don't forget Kolek! Twins showed last year they are not afraid of taking a HS power arm. Dude has such a nasty fastball.

 

Agreed. He'd be in my top 3.

[twinsfan34]

Tied with the Cubs now

 

66-93. Although, if tied, it goes to team with the worse record last year (Cubs #3, Twins #4)...so yeah. We have to 'beat' them outright to get the #4 pick this year.

[shs_59]

Obviously I am hoping for Matt Hoffman !!!!!!!!

 

And i now have a connection to a ground grew member at Cedar Rapids IA team!

Yae !!!!!!!!!!! :-) cheap tix for next year!

 

I'd say #1 : Hoffman, Rodon, Turner, Toussaint, and Jackson then Kolek + they'll be 1 or 2 names not listed in that top 10 come the summer.

[InfraRen]

Ah, yeah Kolek looks legit. I haven't dug in a ton yet, so didn't know much about him. 99 MPH FB? Sheesh. Couple of nice off-speed pitches too.

 

http://ht.ly/p4c2e

 

Also, someone school me more on Jacob Gatewood - very intrigued.

[Bob Sacamento]

Tied with the Cubs now

 

66-93. Although, if tied, it goes to team with the worse record last year (Cubs #3, Twins #4)...so yeah. We have to 'beat' them outright to get the #4 pick this year.

I can see the Cubs winning maybe one against the Cards same with the Twins and Indians. One of the few times I'll be rooting for the Cubs to lose to the Cardinals.

[jimbo92107]

Thursday evening I googled a few 2014 mock drafts. All of them had the Twins picking a catcher. After seeing a few weeks of Josmil Pinto, I really don't see the need. Pinto appears to be all the Twins need in a young, talented catcher. His approach at the plate reminds me of Brian Harper, he's strong and agile, and his defensive techniques look fundamentally sound.

 

The Twins should once again use their first pick to draft the most talented pitching prospect available. Most of the field positions look well stocked for a run a few years from now, when good young pitching will be just what the team needs.

[InfraRen]

Thursday evening I googled a few 2014 mock drafts. All of them had the Twins picking a catcher. After seeing a few weeks of Josmil Pinto, I really don't see the need. Pinto appears to be all the Twins need in a young, talented catcher. His approach at the plate reminds me of Brian Harper, he's strong and agile, and his defensive techniques look fundamentally sound.

 

The Twins should once again use their first pick to draft the most talented pitching prospect available. Most of the field positions look well stocked for a run a few years from now, when good young pitching will be just what the team needs.

 

I agree with you. I don't know much about Jackson but I had the same gross feeling when I saw mocks with us taking Reese McGuire last year.

[Monkeypaws]

Not to mention the 3 catchers they drafted in their top 10 last season.

[nicksaviking]

Yeah, I'd pass on Jackson as well but not because Pinto looks good. The success rate of HS catchers since Joe Mauer is virtually zero. Plus Jackson sounds iffy to stick at catcher.

 

My top five would be Rodon, Kolek, Turner, Hoffman and Gatewood. I'm guessing I'll probably fall in love with Hoffman next year but the Cape Cod League rockstars lost a little luster for me after the Manaea disappointment last year.

 

I've always wanted the best talent (or at least best pitcher) but if it's close, perhaps a college guy is the best bet next year considering how many power HS arms there are. You probably can't get two big time prep players with your top two picks anymore.

[nicksaviking]

Not to mention the 3 catchers they drafted in their top 10 last season.

 

 

All of whom stunk up the rookie leagues. Catchers are crapshoots in the draft, more so than other players it seems. Most of the time they are developed organically and unexpectedly like Pinto.

[InfraRen]

Right, and all the ones they drafted were defensive specialists. Gross.

 

I do like Pinto, go elsewhere in the draft. Pitcher, pitcher, pitcher. Just keep stocking up. We've done well with Meyer, May, Stewart, Gonsalves, Thorpe, Berrios, Eades, Jorge. At least there are guys to look forward to now. But I'd keep stocking up.

[nicksaviking]

All of whom stunk up the rookie leagues. Catchers are crapshoots in the draft, more so than other players it seems. Most of the time they are developed organically and unexpectedly like Pinto.

 

And as I type this BA comes along and ranks Stuart Turner the #18 prospect in the Appy League. I must be missing something. .721 OPS' for big program, college bats in rookie league don't exactly turn my crank.

[gunnarthor]

It really looks like will be able to get a pitcher either at #4 or 5 if we want one. Should be a good draft for us. Hopefully we get a quick mover.

[gunnarthor]

And as I type this BA comes along and ranks Stuart Turner the #18 prospect in the Appy League. I must be missing something. .721 OPS' for big program, college bats in rookie league don't exactly turn my crank.

 

He's a sure thing to stick at catcher, has decent plate discipline and he had a long season. His defense is well regarded. His ceiling may not be that high but he has a pretty decent floor (backup strong defensive catcher) that's easy to reach.

[Dman]

I think the Twins should go pitcher with there top pick unless short stop Trea Turner is available then I would go him. It would be crazy to have Hicks, Buxton and Turner in the lineup to give us 3 speed guys. My dream lineup would be Buxton, Turner, Mauer, Sano, Arcia, Pinto, Dozier, Rosario and Hicks. I think that would be a pretty tough lineup for any pitcher to get through.

[cmb0252]

Ah, yeah Kolek looks legit. I haven't dug in a ton yet, so didn't know much about him. 99 MPH FB? Sheesh. Couple of nice off-speed pitches too.

 

http://ht.ly/p4c2e

 

Also, someone school me more on Jacob Gatewood - very intrigued.

 

Here is Kiley McDaniels scouting report on him:

Scout.com: Scouting Report: Jacob Gatewood

 

Very interesting prospect with a verity of opinions on him. 6'4 HSer that is very lean and long. Some say he is a surefire SS who could be the next Tulo while others think he will have to move to 3B at some time. I have seen some also compare him to Correa from the 2012 draft. He struggled in the HS showcases in game but crushed batting practices. One of the writers for perfect games had him as the best prospect in the 2014 (yes, above Rod).

[nicksaviking]

Here is Kiley McDaniels scouting report on him:

Scout.com: Scouting Report: Jacob Gatewood

 

Very interesting prospect with a verity of opinions on him. 6'4 HSer that is very lean and long. Some say he is a surefire SS who could be the next Tulo while others think he will have to move to 3B at some time. I have seen some also compare him to Correa from the 2012 draft. He struggled in the HS showcases in game but crushed batting practices. One of the writers for perfect games had him as the best prospect in the 2014 (yes, above Rod).

 

Yeah, Gatewood will likely be among my top two picks if he improves from his Jr. year. Hoffman has helium, but I think Gatewood is likely the only guy who could challenge Rodon for the top pick. It's going to be hard to pass him up if he contiunes to get A-Rod/Tulowitzki comps.

[cmb0252]

Jim Callis' early take on the 2014 draft:

"The 2014 Draft is a solid group that impresses scouts more than the 2012 and 2013 talent pools. College pitching is always a prized commodity, and there's plenty behind Rodon, starting with right-handers Jeff Hoffman (East Carolina) and Tyler Beede (Vanderbilt). There's more velocity this year in the high school ranks, with righty Tyler Kolek (Shepherd, Texas, HS) leading the way with a consistent upper-90s fastball.

The pitchers stand out more than the position players, though there are plenty of intriguing bats. Catcher/outfielder Alex Jackson (Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego) and shortstop Jacob Gatewood (Clovis, Calif., HS) offer plenty of power, while Trea Turner (North Carolina State) has uncommon speed and is a rare collegian who should be able to play shortstop in the Majors"

 

Pipeline Inbox: Surveying 2014 Draft field | MLB.com: News

[cmb0252]

Yeah, Gatewood will likely be among my top two picks if he improves from his Jr. year. Hoffman has helium, but I think Gatewood is likely the only guy who could challenge Rodon for the top pick. It's going to be hard to pass him up if he contiunes to get A-Rod/Tulowitzki comps.

 

Gatewood is one heck of a talent and you might be right that he could battle Rodon for the #1 spot. Personally I'm a huge Turner fan. Keith Law has been down on him as of late but I love the idea of a Turner and Buxton hitting 1/2 in our lineup. Both have 80 speed and will play premium defense at premium positions.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Honestly, I'm not a terrible fan of speed guys offensively. I like them in my OF, but beyond that I'd prefer guys with some pop. I'd rather have Gatewood over Turner personally, and while I won't cry if they end up with Turner, I'd rather go with a pitcher or Gatewood with that pick. I'd be perfectly fine grabbing another HS arm like Kolek. You can never have enough of those type of guys.

[Dman]

Honestly, I'm not a terrible fan of speed guys offensively. I like them in my OF, but beyond that I'd prefer guys with some pop. I'd rather have Gatewood over Turner personally, and while I won't cry if they end up with Turner, I'd rather go with a pitcher or Gatewood with that pick. I'd be perfectly fine grabbing another HS arm like Kolek. You can never have enough of those type of guys.

 

Yeah power is good and speed guys do have a tendency to get hurt but the nice thing about speed guys is even if a pitcher walks them they are pesky because they can steal second and be in scoring position right away. You can walk a power guy to get around him and try and set up a double play as they are typically slow. A team needs both types of players to put stress on the opposing team. Hard to find guys with 80 speed and it is good to have them at short and center field. Power is great but in my opinion not the be all end all. I also like pitching prospects for the Twins. I am not opposed to Gatewood but I don't know much about him.

[InfraRen]

Looks like both us and Cubs gonna lose tonight.

[AlwaysinModeration]

The Cards clinched, and will be hungover today against the Cubs. On the other hand, the Indians are tied with the Rays a game ahead of Texas.

 

Pretty good chance the Cubs win and the Twins lose today.