The Mocks: 2014 MLB Draft (Twins Pick #5)

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Over at through the fences they looked at who the Cubs might target at four. Obviously because they draft right before us it directly can alter who we take. While the article looks at most of the top names the author suggests the Cubs lack pitching, very true, and could target an arm. One thing to note is experts suggested the same thing last year and they still took Bryant. Like us, they will take the player they rank the highest regardless of position.

 

Full article here:

2014 MLB draft: Early targets for Chicago Cubs with fourth overall pick

[Spicoli]

I don't think its a debate, Twins need to take the best arm available. Hopefully its a college arm so they don't have to wait 4 years to see him. Right now the Twins have absolutely 0 pitching, Meyer could be good and Stewart could be but that's it. I don't think Gibson, Berrios or May will be anything better than a 3.

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I don't think its a debate, Twins need to take the best arm available. Hopefully its a college arm so they don't have to wait 4 years to see him. Right now the Twins have absolutely 0 pitching, Meyer could be good and Stewart could be but that's it. I don't think Gibson, Berrios or May will be anything better than a 3.

 

They didn't take the best college pitcher two years ago and look how that has turned out. Best prospect in baseball who people compare to Trout. The draft will dictate who we should take.

[Kwak]

Who is presently in the minor league should never influence who should be drafted. All of these comparisons to Trout are hollow--they add nothing to who the Twins should select in 2014. Clearly, there can be (and often are) big changes in the rankings of "draft prospects" from Fall to June's draft day. Patience will be required. However, Ryan has definately painted himself in a corner. The rotation was cited as most responsible for 2013's poor result. You know the one that was going to be fixed by adding three pitchers last offseason! If there aren't several meaningful veteran pitchers added this offseason it's a near certainty that the first selection in June will be a pitcher. Citing the main problem and failing to even address said problem--means the problem is really the guy in charge!

[kab21]

Who is presently in the minor league should never influence who should be drafted. All of these comparisons to Trout are hollow--they add nothing to who the Twins should select in 2014. Clearly, there can be (and often are) big changes in the rankings of "draft prospects" from Fall to June's draft day. Patience will be required. However, Ryan has definately painted himself in a corner. The rotation was cited as most responsible for 2013's poor result. You know the one that was going to be fixed by adding three pitchers last offseason! If there aren't several meaningful veteran pitchers added this offseason it's a near certainty that the first selection in June will be a pitcher. Citing the main problem and failing to even address said problem--means the problem is really the guy in charge!

 

Who is presently on the major league team should never influence who should be drafted. Even for college pitchers it usually takes 2+ years to reach the majors.

 

i think everyone agrees that if an argument can be made that a pitcher is close to the BPA then the Twins should take him but if there's a gap between the BPA available and the best pitcher then you have to take the hitter.

[CharacterGroove]

Existing players in the organization, regardless of level, should rarely dictate who's drafted. I say "rarely" as opposed to "never" only because it's possible two players grade out the same for potential. In such a case it makes sense not to double up on shortstops, for example.

 

It's obvious that we need top-end "arms." Like most teams. The question remains, however, whether drafting X is worth the investment and opportunity cost. Again, most 1st round players don't develop into superior MLB players. If the risk is too high for X's ceiling, then draft Y and get your "arms" somewhere else (e.g., lower rounds, international, trades, free agency).

 

You know I'm making all these abstract points. In the end I don't know yet who I want the Twins to draft.

[DJL44]

People get on Levi Michael as a "wasted" first round pick but they were picking 30th. Who was picked between Michael and Travis Harrison that looked better at the time? Even with perfect hindsight only Jackie Bradley stands out.

[rickyhawaii]

any thoughts on Alex Jackson? he'll probably need a standout season to push him as a viable top 5 guy. If the Twins draft him, should probably let him give up catching and have him be a power bat. Catching has more value, but a potential 30hr OF needs to be considered..

[nicksaviking]

any thoughts on Alex Jackson? he'll probably need a standout season to push him as a viable top 5 guy. If the Twins draft him, should probably let him give up catching and have him be a power bat. Catching has more value, but a potential 30hr OF needs to be considered..

 

I guess I don't think the Twins need to go out of their way to talk themselves into another outfielder. And I want nothing to do with a HS catcher with a high pick.

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any thoughts on Alex Jackson? he'll probably need a standout season to push him as a viable top 5 guy. If the Twins draft him, should probably let him give up catching and have him be a power bat. Catching has more value, but a potential 30hr OF needs to be considered..

 

Jackson is currently 6 on my draft list and is one of the most elite bats in this draft. He is definitely in the mold of Harper and Myers who could possibly play catcher but his bat might be too valuable to not rush in the minors. He didn't have the greatest show circuit this summer but could easily become a top 5 pick with a good senior year.

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any thoughts on Alex Jackson? he'll probably need a standout season to push him as a viable top 5 guy. If the Twins draft him, should probably let him give up catching and have him be a power bat. Catching has more value, but a potential 30hr OF needs to be considered..

 

From BA's Clint Longenecker on Mr.Jackson at the Arizona Senior Fall Classic:

 

Alex Jackson (Rancho Bernardo HS, Escondido, Calif.), one of the top position players in the country, was an offensive force Friday. Jackson went 2 for 4 but hit everything hard with good exit velocity up the middle.

Jackson hit a shot deep to dead center field close to the base of the wall 410 feet from home plate that the defender made an error on in his first plate appearance. In his third trip to the plate, Jackson roped a triple that one-hopped the center field fence. He sent a screaming liner back up the box that nearly killed the pitcher in his next plate appearance. Jackson walked and struck out looking in his other two plate appearances.

“I have been working on compacting my swing because this summer. I didn’t have time to sit there and load against big velocity, I have been working on firing quickly,” Jackson said. “It’s definitely something I have worked on and it has been feeling great.”

Jackson, who has seen most of his time behind the plate and some time in the right field, played third base for the Yankees Scout Team Friday.

“I grew up playing short and have probably played about five games at third since freshman year but I take ground balls every once in a while to keep my hands going,” Jackson said.

 

Arizona Senior Fall Classic: Day 2 Notes - BaseballAmerica.com

[PseudoSABR]

BA released its preliminary top 50 list today.

[Mike Sixel]

That's a lot of pitching in the top 10, and around 30......thankfully.

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BA released its preliminary top 50 list today.

 

Beat me to it! This is a must read for people who are interested in the draft. While prospects will rise and fall before the draft most of these guys will still be first/second round picks. BA has an amazing track record.

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QUOTE=mike wants wins;172650]That's a lot of pitching in the top 10, and around 30......thankfully.

 

"Rodon and Hoffman typify the power arms from both the college and high school classes that should be the strength of the 2014 draft. Last year, for example, at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego, one pitcher touched 94 mph: eventual No. 4 pick Kohl Stewart. This year, nine high school hurlers hit 95 or better, with the top velocity belonging to Tyler Kolek, who hit 99 mph and is the top high school player in the class.The high school pitching class is as deep as it has been in years and is replete with big velocity arms that could go in the first 50 picks."

 

Not only does this year have ton of pitching depth but also a ton of velocity. Add in 3 potential SS prospects in the top 11 and I don't think we will have the same old BPA vs Need debate we have every year. This draft stacks perfectly for the Twins to get both of those to match up.

[gunnarthor]

I wonder if the Twins would take Burdi again with their second pick. Johnson likes flame throwing relievers.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I doubt Rodon or Hoffman are still there at 5... Hoping one of Gatewood/Kolek is.

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I doubt Rodon or Hoffman are still there at 5... Hoping one of Gatewood/Kolek is.

 

I agree that by the time the Twins draft at 5 both should be gone but I wouldn't be disappointed to get Kolek. Would be almost the exact thing as last year with Stewart. Miss out on the college guys just to have the best high school player fall into your lap. I'm a big Kolek and Turner fan so I hope one is there at 5

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Matt Garrioch at MinorLeagueBall is getting ready to start up his draft coverage. He is starting it with regional coverage for anyone interested in learning a bit more about draft prospects. Here is his first region, Atlantic Region, which he released today and boy is it loaded:

 

2014 MLB Draft: Atlantic Region-College Discussion - Minor League Ball

[Ozziedavisfan]

I have to think that Kolek will not fall to us. Pitchers who are 18 and throw 100 don't generally fall. However, this is supposed to be a deep draft. so here's hopeing. As a back up I'd like to see them get either gatewood which is possible or turner (also probably not going to happen.) I think the pick right now is going to be Jackson.

[nicksaviking]

I have to think that Kolek will not fall to us. Pitchers who are 18 and throw 100 don't generally fall. However, this is supposed to be a deep draft. so here's hopeing. As a back up I'd like to see them get either gatewood which is possible or turner (also probably not going to happen.) I think the pick right now is going to be Jackson.

 

As the draft is eight months away, I think it's unlikely that the top four will be Rodon, Hoffman, Turner and Kolek. The Twins will likely have their choice of a couple of these guys at #5 assuming they still remain top picks.

[CC7]

Luke Weaver someone i think will rise up draft boards come this spring. frame is small, but can get to major quick. reminds of Zack Greinke

[diehardtwinsfan]

I have to think that Kolek will not fall to us. Pitchers who are 18 and throw 100 don't generally fall. However, this is supposed to be a deep draft. so here's hopeing. As a back up I'd like to see them get either gatewood which is possible or turner (also probably not going to happen.) I think the pick right now is going to be Jackson.

It's going to depend on how many college studs there are in the draft, and that won't be answered until next spring/summer. The college guys with upside carry a bit lower risk and still have the upside, so they likely will get drafted first. I'd say that the odds are good that at least one of Kolec/Gatewood will be available to the twins at number 5, especially if Rodon, Hoffman, Turner, and Beede all do well. Let's just hope they continue to do well next year.

[Mike Sixel]

If Rodon got hurt, and dropped, would you take him? Say, tommy john hurt?

[MinnesotaMike]

Without a doubt. But the Twins never would do it.

[diehardtwinsfan]

If Rodon got hurt, and dropped, would you take him? Say, tommy john hurt?

 

For the right price maybe... especially if it allowed us to grab a HS guy that fell due to signability concerns.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

If Rodon got hurt, and dropped, would you take him? Say, tommy john hurt?

 

If Rodon's left arm is attached and he's available to the Twins, I take him.

[gunnarthor]

Does anyone remember how much the Twins were on Giolito before his arm fell off? I seem to remember rumors that the Twins loved him and were still kicking the tires on him before Buxton emerged as their guy.

[kab21]

For the right price maybe... especially if it allowed us to grab a HS guy that fell due to signability concerns.

 

I don't think Rodon would be cheap if he was falling. Giolito received a large bonus despite being picked late.

 

Right now I'm pulling for Kolek to fall to us but it's going to take 1-2 guys to step up and put themselves solidly into the top 5.

 

I'm still trying to figure out just how much power Turner has. Right now it sounds like his best arguments are that he's really fast and he plays SS. He obviously has more power than a guy like Billy Hamilton (the type of pick I want to avoid). I would be quite happy with a Jacoby Ellsbury (minus the 32 HR season) type of player (at SS). I'm just concerned that if he misses that upside then he's a fairly ordinary hitter and the only redeeming thing is that he's a SS.

[Ozziedavisfan]

abosoultly not, not a five to much of a risk if injured.