2024 Minnesota Twins Prospect Previews: Tanner Hall

“Minnesota has grown a reputation for successfully developing mid- to late-round college arms in recent seasons…”

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. The 2024 starting rotation is shaping up as 4 guys acquired in trades…and Bailey Ober.

I don’t think advancing guys (Festa, etc) through the minors entitles declaration of ‘successful development’. That’s not the objective, nor is the objective to simply reach the majors (Varland). I’d give you ‘promising’ with the likes of these two and others, but successful is premature, IMO.

I find myself wondering how we got this guy in the fourth round. What am I missing, other than he doesn't throw in the mid-90s? Is that the only obvious lack compared to other draftees of the same age?

1 hour ago, big dog said:

I find myself wondering how we got this guy in the fourth round. What am I missing, other than he doesn't throw in the mid-90s? Is that the only obvious lack compared to other draftees of the same age?

There were some national guys who thought the same thing.  Won't succeed if he doesn't add more velo, but a few teams (us included) are much better at doing that than anybody is at developing changeups.  Fastball also has the right spin to succeed even if the average fastball is only 92-93.

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

I just assumed Tanner Hall was the college dorm he lived in.

No. But based on prognostications…some day, Southern Miss WILL have a Hall Hall.

The pre-draft scouting report on Hall showed his fastball maxing out at 95 MPH. I think the velocity will be there consistently after spending some time in instructs. A very exciting prospect with plus command and changeup.

It seems like he is a young version of Sonny Gray.  Hall was a known commodity in college ball but it was a deeep draft. The kids knows how to mix his pitches and put up 00000’s.  He will develop what he needs to, to have a successful MLB career.  Just another great 4th round pick for the Twins. Lol 

Hall is going to succeed no matter what in my mind,  its just going to be how good will he be.  

He is already a pitcher,  he knows how to command a zone, hit locations, and have filth on the stuff he throws.  He ran a 2.8 ERA in 2022 on 110 innings and a 2.48 ERA in 2023 on 110 inning.  He is a stud already.  You add a deadly slider/sweeper, and increase velocity 4 mph.  Move him from  88-91  to 92 to 95 and watch out.  

For top 5 prospects in 2026 he is my safest pick.  I have no doubt he will succeed and fly up through the minors and prospect boards.  High end #2 pitcher is what I am looking for from him right now.  

23 hours ago, jkcarew said:

“Minnesota has grown a reputation for successfully developing mid- to late-round college arms in recent seasons…”

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. The 2024 starting rotation is shaping up as 4 guys acquired in trades…and Bailey Ober.

I don’t think advancing guys (Festa, etc) through the minors entitles declaration of ‘successful development’. That’s not the objective, nor is the objective to simply reach the majors (Varland). I’d give you ‘promising’ with the likes of these two and others, but successful is premature, IMO.

Damn you have a high hurdle for late round prospects.  The Twins are finding MLB players and prospects late in the draft on a routine basis. I am looking at players drafted in Rd 4 or later.  

2017.  Ober (12)

2018,  Winder (7th) Funderburk (15)

2019  Varland (15th)

2020 Raya (4)

2021 Festa (13), Ohl (14)

2022  Morris (4), Jones (7) Matthews (8), Lewis (9), Culpepper (13)

2023 Hall (4), Questad (5) Stoffal (8), Dougherty (9), Dunn (10), Langenberg (11), Pasqualotto (12), Lee (13)

What are you looking for or wanting.  Out of the 17-19 drafts you have a #3 starter,  a #5 starter (so far) and a reliever.  In the 21-23 drafts you already have a current top 5 and top 10 prospect as a starting pitcher in Raya and Festa,  and you have a crap load of talent in the 2022 and 2023 draft.  Yes some will flake out,  but you have a ton of options,  a couple will rise to the top at minimum.  That is out of draft picks that are expected to fail.  That they have found any type of MLB talent is impressive.  

On 2/16/2024 at 10:23 AM, Karbo said:

In this age he will have to gain some velocity on the fastball.

 I don't believe Kuechel had high velocity.  If he can get up to 92-94 and have good control those other pitches will help him keep hitters off balance.   

1 minute ago, Karbo said:

That may be, but Kuechel was the exception to the rule. As I remember, Keuchel got lit up pretty well last year. Do you know if he signed anywhere else this season?

I don't believe he has but he is 36 (35 last year after injuries).  I am sure there are others that don't throw hard, he is just the first that came to mind.   For 6 years he was a top pitcher in the league winning CY once and could have easily one it a second time.