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

[Kwak]

I'm throwing out the name Dillon Cease. High school pitcher from Georgia plus plus fastball, 6-2 could go in the Supplementary round, but I think he falls to the 2nd round, his secondary stuff isn't there yet and most teams will go with a more polished pitcher with their 1st round stuff. If the Twins can teach him a good breaking ball the kid could be an ace... or a 7th inning guy if he can't.

 

Also watch Justin Sheffield a LHP out of Tennessee 92-95 MPH fastball strong secondary stuff, repeatable mechanics. Definitely a starter. Like cmb0252 mentioned this draft is deep in high school pitching, and I like go with the grain of a drafts strength.

 

Since the Twins are still complaining about the lack of LHP (see thread on Brooks Raley), this guy sounds "just right". Considering he is LH, I would not be surprised to learn if he was already selected by the Twins 2nd Round pick.

[maxisagod]

By the way, at least one person has already posted a mock draft through the second round.

http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753

 

The Twins take Marcus Wilson in this mock. He's another athletic HS outfielder like Monte Harrison; both have plus arms and plus speed. Harrison's probably got the more advanced bat but Wilson has got a lot of projection and there would probably be no problem signing him.

 

I'd be on board with Kolek and Wilson as our first two picks.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Found this review of Jeff Hoffman's season debut really interesting. He probably won't be available at #5, but if he was, he sounds good:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/game-report-ecu-rhp-jeff-hoffman/

[nicksaviking]

I'd be on board with Kolek and Wilson as our first two picks.

 

I'm interested also, but picking the top HS arm at #5 may require a large signing bonus. If the Twins go that route, it might be hard to snag another high ceiling HS guy in the 2nd round and get him to sign.

[beckmt]

Still take the BPA, but I am hoping for Kolek. You can never have too much pitching.

[InfraRen]

Definitely a Kolek fan as well. Also like Turner a lot. Would be pretty happy either way. If they do take Turner I'd hope they'd take another talented HS pitcher in round 2.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Turner's season debut, with video: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/game-report-north-carolina-state-ss-trea-turner/. Bunt single to first base in 3.42 seconds.

[Monkeypaws]

Turner's season debut, with video: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/game-report-north-carolina-state-ss-trea-turner/. Bunt single to first base in 3.42 seconds.

 

Yeah, I'd be down for an elite SS prospect. He looks crazy fast.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

He's not going to excite a lot of you guys, but Luke Weaver had a real good start to his season. The Twins are high on him and see some Greinke similarities.

 

Recap: http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20140214/FSU02/302140041/Weaver-Stewart-lead-Noles-opening-win

[tobi0040]

One other point on the draft - the Marlins at #2 also have three other picks in the 30-40 range and a really cheap owner. They could very well underdraft at 2 to save some money for other guys and let a better player slip by them.

 

That is a good call. They have #2, #36, #38, and #42. They could probably go above slot a few times if they save $1-$2M at #2. That would be great.

 

The Royals snagged Mannea at about 35 last year and he was a top 3 guy 6-8 weeks out until he had a hip injury, velo drop as a result. Maybe that will be the added incentive for them to do the same thing.

[nicksaviking]

That is a good call. They have #2, #36, #38, and #42. They could probably go above slot a few times if they save $1-$2M at #2. That would be great.

 

The Royals snagged Mannea at about 35 last year and he was a top 3 guy 6-8 weeks out until he had a hip injury, velo drop as a result. Maybe that will be the added incentive for them to do the same thing.

 

And the Marlins have the reputation of a cheap team as it is. I'm good with penciling in a lower caliber prospect for them at #2!

[howieramone1406390264]

Read a recent article which said the White Sox are leaning heavily towards a college stating pitcher to fill out the rotation ASAP. 13 of the last 17 years they have gone with a college player. The Loveable Losers are currently proclaiming their undying love for Starlin Castro. I think Trea Turner will be there at 5.

[jimbo92107]

 

5. Minnesota Twins — Tyler Kolek, RHP, Sheppard HS (TX)

...I got to see him throw at Wrigley and he was hitting 99 mph with ease...

 

I can relate. With just fifteen minutes warmup, I can hit 65mph with ease. And my curve is deadly - hits the batter right in the side of the head. Luckily it's going only 45 or so...

[jimbo92107]

The neat thing about Kolek is that if he indeed throws 99mph "with ease," that indicates that he has excellent mechanical efficiency. If he doesn't require max effort to reach that kind of velocity, then it implies that he could ease off to a mere 94mph and pick his spots, much like Verlander learned to do. Then, if he really needs it, ramp up to the high 90's. I'd rather see a pitcher do that then try to blow everybody away with non-stop heat. Good pitchers always mix it up. Even Mariano Rivera changed location of his magical cutter.

[Parise11]

The neat thing about Kolek is that if he indeed throws 99mph "with ease," that indicates that he has excellent mechanical efficiency. If he doesn't require max effort to reach that kind of velocity, then it implies that he could ease off to a mere 94mph and pick his spots, much like Verlander learned to do. Then, if he really needs it, ramp up to the high 90's. I'd rather see a pitcher do that then try to blow everybody away with non-stop heat. Good pitchers always mix it up. Even Mariano Rivera changed location of his magical cutter.

On the flip side of Verlander unfortunately he could be very well be Mark Prior. Don't think I've seen anyone make upper 90's look more effortless than Prior.

[oldguy10]

Regarding the Mark Prior remark - what is the success/non-success rate of young pitchers in this regard? Historically say, in the last ten years or so. Gibson and Wimmers could very well wind up in the non-success column. Too early to tell about Stewart, Thorpe, etc. Thus I still take Turner at number 5 if he is still out there.

[nicksaviking]

Regarding the Mark Prior remark - what is the success/non-success rate of young pitchers in this regard? Historically say, in the last ten years or so. Gibson and Wimmers could very well wind up in the non-success column. Too early to tell about Stewart, Thorpe, etc. Thus I still take Turner at number 5 if he is still out there.

 

You need ace caliber pitching to win though. If Kolek is the better prospect you can't pass him up just because you're afraid a pitcher is going to get hurt. You don't win the World Series with second tier free agent starters. They're good to have, but to win you're going to have to get some big power arms in the draft, and the best bets are the ones that go early.

[InfraRen]

He's not going to excite a lot of you guys, but Luke Weaver had a real good start to his season. The Twins are high on him and see some Greinke similarities.

 

Recap: http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20140214/FSU02/302140041/Weaver-Stewart-lead-Noles-opening-win

 

Are you thinking more with the 2nd rounder? Doesn't seem like he'd be in the #5 convo based on what I just dug around in. Never know though this far out.