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Keith Law answered a question about Nola today in his chat: Does Aaron Nola have #2 starter upside? Klaw (2:10 PM) I don't think so. High-probability but more 4th starter. A #2 starter, someone who's top 30-40 in his league, should have some kind of a swing-and-miss pitch, and Nola doesn't.

Keith Law chat today: Rick Hahn has stated the White Sox are targeting a college pitcher with their #3 pick in the draft. Who offers more upside Hoffman or Beede? Klaw (1:04 PM) Hoffman. More velocity, great athlete, underdeveloped as a pitcher right now. Beede's the safer pick of the two, but I would bet that if they have both guys staring them in the face (and Rodon too) they'd take Hoffman. What's the absolute farthest you can see Rodon falling to in June? Klaw (1:10 PM) Seems like the Cubs at 4 would be a stopping point for him - a large-market team with no historical aversion to taking, shall we say, players with his likely bonus demands. After that, it gets dicey. Think the jays have a shot at Nick Gordon when their first pick comes around? Klaw (1:14 PM) Yes, I think he goes in that range. I know a prep righty has never been selected first overall, but should the Astros seriously consider taking Kolek with their first pick? It seems like his stock is rising. Klaw (1:20 PM) History of prep RHP that high in the draft isn't favorable and his secondary stuff isn't that advanced. I prefer Aiken, considering all factors Will the cubs be able to draft a ace and would they consider drafting a position player. Thanks Klaw (1:21 PM) I don't think there's any bat worthy of the 4th overall pick this year. It's all arms up top. Any chance Kolek falls to 5? Klaw (1:21 PM) Don't see it. Do you remember another prospect who had as much helium as Jacob Gatewood did last year fall so far so fast? Klaw (1:28 PM) Happens quite a bit with prep kids. Harold Martinez was one - looked like a sure top 10 pick as a junior, ended up falling so far he went to college. Phillies took him in the 2nd round three years later and he's been terrible, .257/.322/.348 all in A-ball so far. Bradley Zimmer: middle-of-the-order potential? Klaw (1:46 PM) Seems like it. Has the size and athleticism, pretty good approach, not sure he stays in CF with that kind of body though. Do your recent viewings of Rodon change his ceiling, or just lower the floor? Klaw (2:06 PM) That's a damn good question. I'm not really sure if it's both or not. I feel less confident about him becoming an ace, certainly. If you're the Twins, do you want the 5th best pitcher in this draft of the best position player when you pick at #5? Klaw (2:07 PM) What if the 5th best pitcher is still better than the best position player? However, I had one exec point out that if we look back on this draft in ten years, the odds that the five best players will all turn out to have been pitchers are incredibly slim. So maybe the bat is there and we just haven't identified him yet? Who is the better HS prep arm - Kohl Stewart or Kolek? Klaw (2:10 PM) Kolek has size and velocity. Stewart had athleticism and a better slider. I'd lean Kolek but it's not a huge gap. Does Aaron Nola have #2 starter upside? Klaw (2:10 PM) I don't think so. High-probability but more 4th starter. A #2 starter, someone who's top 30-40 in his league, should have some kind of a swing-and-miss pitch, and Nola doesn't.

BA game report on Grant Holmes: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/game-report-grant-holmes/

Haha, stupid auto correct.

Outside of some pitching choices nothing really to complain about.

Kiley Mcdaniel's reports/videos on Hoffman, Rodon, Turner http://sbb.scout.com/2/1389607.html

Haven't heard what he has been sitting at this spring but was in the low 90s and hitting 94 this summer. Definitely has one of the best change ups in the draft. Monster of a kid too. 6'5 and 220+ lbs.

Chris Crawford released an ESPN insider article; Top College Bats are Stepping up today. Highlights Zimmer, Conforto, and Schwarber. One scout had this to say about Zimmer: "[Zimmer] is the one true five-tool player in this class," an NL Central scout said. "He's not going to hit for massive power numbers, steal 40 bases and hit .330, but I think he's going to provide above-average numbers everywhere. My only question is at 6-foot-5, is he going to be able to stay in center field. The bat plays wherever he ends up, though." Crawford notes all three being first rounders while Zimmer could go in the top 10. He also has notes on college pitchers Beede, Ellis, Newcomb, and Imhof. Full inside article here: http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb-draft/post?id=1462

Here is Law on Aiken's delivery: "His delivery is excellent -- he starts tall over the rubber with a high leg kick, then pushes off well with a long stride, turning his pitching elbow over early and finishing mostly over his front side. He doesn't fully pronate his forearm before his front foot lands, but other than that it's a solid delivery that makes very efficient use of his lower half to generate that power." The biggest question I have about Aiken is if he going to end up with a plus-plus pitch. If his fastball sits at 93-94 and hits 97 with some movement from the left side that's a 70 pitch. Add in his two other pitches which could both be plus and I think you have an ace.

Aiken draft profile: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/3/31/5564478/2014-mlb-draft-profile-brady-aiken-lhp-california-hs

Kolek definitely looks like a stud. While a team can never have too much pitching after Buxton/Sano graduate our system is going to be pretty light on elite hitters. Rosario, Kepler, and Santana are great but they aren't elite talents. Jackson could be special with his bat.

Chris Crawford's second mock draft: http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-mock-2014-volume-ii/

Draft profile on Max Pentecost: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/3/30/5559048/2014-mlb-draft-profile-max-pentecost-c-kennesaw-state

If he signs after the 2014 draft the draft pick compensation just goes way. The team signing him won't have to surrender any 2015 picks.

Also, just looking at mocks it is obvious that this is a super deep draft. Twins are going to get a stud in the second round. Would love to see Marshall or Forest there.

Here is a random mock. I can actually see the top few picks going like this but there is no way Zimmer is going 32. Heck, I think he has put himself in top 10 and maybe top 5 talk. 6 HR, .400+ BA, 11 SB, good BB/K ratio, above average defender. I'm actually interested if the Twins have been scouting him. They love toolsy players. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2014/03/25/blfs-2014-mock-draft-v-1/

Yeah, that's what I thought most clubs did.

Why would two college pitchers in Eades (who draft experts said could be one of the quickest arms to the bigs) and Slegers start in low-A? I'm confused by why the Twins do this.

Some other updates from the Invitational opener: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140326&content_id=70188200&notebook_id=70188432&vkey=notebook_mlb&c_id=mlb http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb-draft/post?id=1414

Reports had his fastball sitting between 92-94 with a few 95s. Definitely an interesting arm.

Didn't they offer better overall $ total contracts to Garza, A.J., and Salty?

I usually consider myself a pretty positive person but things are getting out of hand. First Rosario, then Sano, and now Buxton. The only saving grace to our current bad offense was help is on the way. I guess bad things do come in 3's.

Last year about this time I had a list of about 8 prospects I figured the Twins would choose from. This year? Maybe 12. It definitely seems like we will end up with a pitcher unless Zimmer, Gordon, or Jackson step up.

I could easily see the top 5 being all pitchers unless someone steps up. Jackson needs to show his elite hit tool he showed last year. I have been a Zimmer fanboy since last year and if a team thinks he will stay in center he could sneak into the top 5.

Christopher Crawford released his second big board and things have definitely been shaken up. Like Law he now has Aiken #1. Here is his full board: http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/