The Scouting Skinny: Brendan McKay

While the Twins have a plethora of 1B types, McKay would fit the the Twins timeline better either as a pitcher or hitter. Greene is tempting, but a huge role of the dice, and development might cause him to miss the prime of this teams postion players. (Unless the team changes its stance on signing their own FA) High velocity high school arms like Greene are scary, and if he ends up hurt, he is at least 5 years from TF, if at all. As of this draft, the Twins don't seem to have a farm system that looks to support a long term run of contention.

I have to disagree with the above.  The only reason the Twins farm system is only at a mid rank position is that most of the talent is further away.  Except for some pitchers there is very little talent at Rochester and only at little more at Chattanooga

Granite, Park, and Gordon(maybe Vielma) are the only position players on these teams, I feel we will see for more that a cup of coffee in Minnesota.  I would love to be wrong, but this is how I see it. .

I know nothing about McKay other than what Jeremy has said. I don't think it would be wise to draft a pitcher #1 overall who doesn't have legit ace potential. Is one spring enough to go from at least solid #3 to legit ace potential?

If he is the #1 pick then I would rather it be as a hitter. It is definitely an interesting situation.

Greene has an ego the size of Texas and with that velo at such a young age is almost certainly going to have TJ sooner than later. Young bodies simply can't handle that hard of throwing without damage. This kid wouldn't see a big league uniform for 4 years at least. Risk isn't worth the reward. Ask teammates how he really is. He scrubbed his twitter of all the Lavar Ball esque things he used to say and clearly has a PR rep having him do all the expected good boy routine. Yes I know he's a kid. But give a kid constant adulation and millions of dollars and 9 times out of ten you're going to create an ego monster and clubhouse cancer

Any actual data on that 9 out of 10 thing? 

HS guys get PAID in teh major league draft every single year.

I'm leaning against Greene and for the college arms - McKay or Wright - but his attitude has nothing to do with it.  I'm sure Greene and Buxton and Mauer and any other player good enough to go 1/1 or thereabouts out of high school has a HUGE ego. Some hide it, others don't. But what I've read of Greene's work ethic (and Jordon Adell's as well) is really exciting. I think, barring injury, he'll be a very good player. But I'd go a bit safer with the college arm and take some upside HS arms later.

High school position players and pitchers are very different. And no my 9/10 is anecdotal based on personal knowledge and experience. But it doesn't take an MIT study to see what fame and fortune do to kids.

so being 2-3 years older makes it not happen?

Sure, but Josh Beckett was arguably the biggest ass on the planet when he went #2 overall.  The only way attitude hurts is if it makes the player not listen to coaching or creates a bad work ethic.  If those two issues are ok - and every article I've read about Greene suggest this wouldn't be a problem - you ignore attitude concerns.

Compare Greene with Seth Romero, arguably the second best lefty in the college group.  Romero's make-up issues - rumors of drug use, bad conditioning and not listening to coaches - might very well drop him out of the first round. Those are problems.  If Greene or McKay or Wright don't check those boxes, you don't worry.

If his upside is really #3 starter I go with Greene. You can't use the first overall pick for a mid rotation starter.

I don't necessarily want McKay, but a #3 isn't his ceiling. He could certainly be better.

 

There isn't a surefire ace in the draft, and there isn't an obvious bat to take instead. Greene has the highest upside, but there are obvious risks.

Yeah I wasn't trying to imply that #3 is his ceiling. When I read "bigger version of Ted Lilly" I don't think of #1 pick in the draft. Just a little concerned with that, but like I said, I know nothing other than what I have read on this site.

Interesting thought... if Kohl Stewart was a dual threat like McKay, would he have been switched to a position player by now? Or still too soon?

Well, he'd been fairly successful up until now, and is only 22. Why would they have moved him? Way too soon.

Sorry guys, it won’t be as a two-way player. But you’re not getting this exclusive newsletter in your email to tell you that.
 

John, I'm curious if this is info you've gotten from the front office or just an opinion.  While I share an opinion that this is likely true, I personally think the front office would be wise to experiment with it...

But that said, I'm very curious if this is the feel you've gotten from taking to Falvey and Levine.

John, I'm curious if this is info you've gotten from the front office or just an opinion.  While I share an opinion that this is likely true, I personally think the front office would be wise to experiment with it...

 

But that said, I'm very curious if this is the feel you've gotten from taking to Falvey and Levine.

disagree. Pitchers have routines on off days, and messing with those routines is not setting McKay up to be the most successful he can be.