Reverse Standings and the 2014 MLB Draft

[diehardtwinsfan]

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.

 

I should probably clarify. I'm more of a power and OBP guy. Speed is nice, especially in the OF where there are some obvious defensive gains from it, I want guys 1-9 with some plate discipline and enough pop to scare pitchers into doing something other than grooving a fastball in the zone. Having Hicks and Buxton in the OF should satisfy most speed requirements for the forseable future, and while I won't get upset about Turner, I think I'd rather get the upside guys in Kokek or Gatewood.

[Dman]

I should probably clarify. I'm more of a power and OBP guy. Speed is nice, especially in the OF where there are some obvious defensive gains from it, I want guys 1-9 with some plate discipline and enough pop to scare pitchers into doing something other than grooving a fastball in the zone. Having Hicks and Buxton in the OF should satisfy most speed requirements for the forseable future, and while I won't get upset about Turner, I think I'd rather get the upside guys in Kokek or Gatewood.

 

I totally agree with OBP. I too think that is the way to go. Typically speed guys have a good OBP because they can turn choppers into singles or can bunt to get on. Certainly not all of them but would be hoping Turner would as the reports I have seen say he has good plate discipline. Hopefully he would develop some pop as well although it wouldn't be Gatewood type pop.

 

The more I think about it and look at what is available I think I am hoping the Twins go pitcher with their pick. I am afraid we don't have enough guys in our system that have the potential to be 1, 2 or 3 in the bigs.

 

FYI I am a big fan of your posts on this site. I typically agree with most of your analysis and like your measured approach. You obviously know a lot more about the Twins and baseball than I do and I have learned a lot from you and many other posters here. I am glad you are on this site and respond to rookies like me.

[Bob Sacamento]

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.

I don't know, Edwin Jackson, who has17 losses this year, is facing Wainwright who has 18 wins. The Cards can put out there B squad and it's still better than what the Cubs have starting. The Cubs have a better chance winning tomorrow against Kelly but Samardzija is pitching and he's tanked.

 

Note to Twins fans from a Cubs fan: Win a damn game or two!! Don't you know we suck really bad and need as much help as possible. Remember however bad you think you have it, at least your team has won the World Series in the last 100 years.

[howieramone1406390264]

I don't know, Edwin Jackson, who has17 losses this year, is facing Wainwright who has 18 wins. The Cards can put out there B squad and it's still better than what the Cubs have starting. The Cubs have a better chance winning tomorrow against Kelly but Samardzija is pitching and he's tanked.

 

Note to Twins fans from a Cubs fan: Win a damn game or two!! Don't you know we suck really bad and need as much help as possible. Remember however bad you think you have it, at least your team has won the World Series in the last 100 years.

 

Holy Cow, Bob! What would Harry say?

[Monkeypaws]

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.

 

Especially with Cole DeVries as your starting pitcher.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Especially with Cole DeVries as your starting pitcher.

 

I noticed that, too.

 

Hernandez, De Vries and Diamond? Is that what we have to close out our year?

 

Don't get me wrong, I wish the best for all 3. On paper, though, you'd think only the last game of the year looks like we have a chance.

 

We need serious help. Unlikely it will come from Cole or Pedro.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I totally agree with OBP. I too think that is the way to go. Typically speed guys have a good OBP because they can turn choppers into singles or can bunt to get on. Certainly not all of them but would be hoping Turner would as the reports I have seen say he has good plate discipline. Hopefully he would develop some pop as well although it wouldn't be Gatewood type pop.

 

The more I think about it and look at what is available I think I am hoping the Twins go pitcher with their pick. I am afraid we don't have enough guys in our system that have the potential to be 1, 2 or 3 in the bigs.

 

FYI I am a big fan of your posts on this site. I typically agree with most of your analysis and like your measured approach. You obviously know a lot more about the Twins and baseball than I do and I have learned a lot from you and many other posters here. I am glad you are on this site and respond to rookies like me.

 

I appreciate the complement, and I tend to agree on the pitcher (though I think I'd make the exception for Gatewood, especially if the Twins think he can stick at SS). If rumors are true though, Gatewood won't make it to 4 or 5... If that's the case, I think I want Kolek.

[cmb0252]

Looking at Jim Callis' early top 10 players last year compared to this years I can definitely say I'm a lot more excited for this group. I don't see us running into the debate about possibly drafting a HS toolsy outfielder!

[Brandon]

So were tied with the Cubs for the 4th pick going into the last day of the season. How exciting is this that it comes down to the last game of the season to determine who gets the 4th pick in the draft. Too bad the Cubs have the advantage in case of a tie.

[twinsfan34]

Cheer for the Phillies tonight. They're up, botton of the 9th. Atlanta loses, Cardinals get the best NL record, they could rest their starters tomorrow then. Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

 

So we can hope...

[twinsfan34]

Samardzija is pitching tomorrow afternoon too. So Cubs are putting their best foot forward so to speak. And the Cardinals are starting Jake Westbrook (#5 starter)...maybe they pull the starters too. Would be ideal.

 

Just hope the Twins don't pull "a Vikings" and win the last game of the year...when it's so timely.

[twinsfan34]

The Braves own the head to head tiebreaker, so if the two teams finish tied, Atlanta would have home field advantage in the playoff...so Cardinals will still be playing to win.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Samardzija is pitching tomorrow afternoon too. So Cubs are putting their best foot forward so to speak. And the Cardinals are starting Jake Westbrook (#5 starter)...maybe they pull the starters too. Would be ideal.

 

Just hope the Twins don't pull "a Vikings" and win the last game of the year...when it's so timely.

 

Since I will be at the game, I hope the Twins do win ... and draft standing be darned.

[twinsfan34]

Welp, even though we lost, 5th it is. Lost around $800,000 in salary slot value though.

 

Wish the Twins had a FA they could 'lose' this offseason by a team outside the top 10 picks as to gain an extra 1st RD pick.

[ThePuck]

Welp, even though we lost, 5th it is. Lost around $800,000 in salary slot value though.

 

Wish the Twins had a FA they could 'lose' this offseason by a team outside the top 10 picks as to gain an extra 1st RD pick.

 

You mean, after we make the guy a qualifying offer of about 14M?

[nicksaviking]

You mean, after we make the guy a qualifying offer of about 14M?

 

That is twice the amount of the "huge" salary Ryan gave to Willingham.

[nicksaviking]

You mean, after we make the guy a qualifying offer of about 14M?

 

That is twice the amount of the "huge" salary Ryan gave to Willingham.

 

Edit: Mods, what are the consequences for accidentally double posting? I assume it is a severe penalty but I'm willing to suffer the consequences for my mistake.

[ashbury]

Edit: Mods, what are the consequences for accidentally double posting? I assume it is a severe penalty but I'm willing to suffer the consequences for my mistake.

 

An accidental banning.

[ashbury]

Edit: Mods, what are the consequences for accidentally double posting? I assume it is a severe penalty but I'm willing to suffer the consequences for my mistake.

 

An accidental banning.

[Dance with Disco Dan]

Oh well. 1-9 down the stretch. The boys did all the could do to get that 4th pick. I hope all the top prospects stay healthy and productive. There are at least five players I'd be excited to add if the draft was today.

[ScottyB]

Nick - one of your options on edit is delete. You can delete your second entry.

[TheMind07]

Anyone else ecstatic about the late inning rally against the Tigers now?

[InfraRen]

Can't wait to get into the full swing of things: speculation, pining for players - the weeks leading up to the draft are great.

[ashbury]

Anyone else ecstatic about the late inning rally against the Tigers now?

 

I'm fine with the #5 pick.

[cmb0252]

I'm fine with the #5 pick.

 

A lot of people were fine with the #4 pick last year till experts started to say there was a value cut off after the first 3 picks (Appel, Gray, and Bryant). Also, look how much money the Rookies signed Gray under slot for. They were able to use that money a lot of other places. Even if rumors were true that the Twins had Stewart higher than most they might have had extra money to go after local boy Logan.

 

In the end they will get a top talent no matter what.

[InfraRen]

Boom, fresh mock from today:

 

Dan Kirby, from MLB did a mock today - Kolek to Twins at #5.