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Haha, definitely sounds like a Stewartesk pick. The Twins drafted Eades last year so I bet they will, have, already scouted his former team mate and Friday night starter Aaron Nola. 6'1" 190 lbs, RHP LSU 89-94 fastball with movement and the chance to add a tick or two Power curve (already a swing/miss pitch) and a fading change up that has a chance to be a plus pitch.

You are exactly right. Not only is it an above average group of top tier prospects but they are all at needs for the Twins.

Haha, I'm glad I can keep things moving with not forcing you to use the delete button. Back on topic! For any one who really enjoys the draft and is interested in a few good sources for prospect info here are some links. Bigleaguefutures.net has the break down, some detailed write ups for the bigger names, for the college ranks. Here is a link to their reports: 2014 Draft Profiles Right after the draft mlb.com's Jonathan Mayo released his top 10 prospects for next years draft with mini write ups. Scouts will be busy this summer looking at 2014 MLB Draft talent | MLB.com: News After the draft SI.com caught up with its lead draft analyst David Perkins and Perfect Games Allan Simpson and asked them to break down their top 5 prospects for next year. Early look at top five prospects for next year's MLB draft - MLB - Joe Lemire - SI.com And finally Scouts.com Kiley McDaniel has released his top college pitchers and hitter lists. Pitchers: Scout.com: 2014 MLB Draft Preview: College Pitchers Hitters: Scout.com: 2014 MLB Draft Preview: College Hitters While there is a ton of time till next years draft, a lot can/will happen, most of these names will still be the big names around draft day.

While everyone on here is obviously a big time Twins fan, we wouldn't be wasting our time on a Twins site/forum, some of us prefer different aspects of fandom. I love going to games and following the big league club as much as the next fan but I also love college baseball, the minor league game, and the draft. To me talking about the Twins minor league players or who they might draft is just as fun as talking about any other aspect of the Twins. Actually, i currently prefer focusing on the minor league and draft aspect of the Twins because of the negativity surrounding the team. I rarely post, much less read, a lot of the things posted on the big league forum. I'm personally just tired of every thread get derailed into negative whining about why the Twins didn't sign X free agent, why they didn't spend X amount of money, or fire X person. I respect posters right to turn every thread into these whine posts but I rather be happy and focus on the future. Buxton for President!

Yeah

I was going to post a list of names and scouting reports for the 2014 draft today before I saw this. Like always Jeremy, beating me to the punch. For those of you would didn't watch any N.C. State games last year missed out on seeing IMO the most exciting player in college baseball in Trea Turner. True 80 grade speed, true short shot, bass a sound hitting approach, and from all accounts is a good kid. Definitely my favorite right now.

At this point very little if not zero. Unless the Twins are willing to pay taxes, which I doubt they will, I don't see them signing any of the kids left. Add in the potential of not signing DeMuth and the draft looks a little weaker than it did before.

While I see the value in losing and can appreciate the rebuilding (retooling) process you are taking it to a whole new level haha.

Sandberg would be a great choice. I'm still hoping for Mike Maddux.

If something does happen put me in the get someone from outside of the organization camp. I'm all for loyalty but at some point this organization needs to bring in some fresh blood with different ways of thinking.

I forgot all about the whole Soria debacle. Yeah, that turned out horrid for the Royals.

You are right. Having high draft choices doesn't guarantee future success but it has be researched several times, most recently BA, that higher the pick the more likely for not only big league success but stardom. You are also right that development, picking the right player, and proper use all have a big effect on the players future. Heck, I would add injury and immaturity to that as well as reasons that drafting high players doesn't guarantee success. While losing to get a higher pick doesn't guarantee playoff victories, nothing truly does, there is value (even more value because of the new system) in getting a higher pick. There are no participation trophies in the major league but there is the opportunity to draft better prospects.

Adding Buxton, J.O., Stewart, and Eades (the forgotten guy) with high picks definitely helps. While you don't need a high pick to get a great player studies have show it significantly helps!

I have seen Rodon compared to David Price on more than one occasion. While Rodon looks like a stud, next years draft is considered about 7-8 deep in elite talent, so its not like the Twins need to finish last. Its strengths are front of the rotation starters and SS prospects.....I wonder if the Twins need either of those.

Baseball tonight was on, Pirates vs A's game was rain delayed, and Buster Onley was talking about how poor the RPing market is. He said it is so weak that Jesse Crain is most teams #1 target for closer even though he is currently on the DL. While Crain has had a great year he isn't exactly a example of health/consistency over his career. Onley as reiterated that if the Twins started to list to Perkins a huge bidding war would start.

David Schoenfield at ESPN published an interesting article called Another Reason why Closers are Overrated. The article suggests that the Twins should trade Perkins while his value is at its highest because of how volatile closers are. Mr.Schoenfield takes these lines from a Buster Onley blog: "Do you know how many teams have the same closer in 2013 that they did two years ago, in 2011? Try three: Mariano Rivera of the Yankees, Chris Perez of the Indians and Craig Kimbrel of the Braves. Closers are like kickers in the NFL. Yes, there is the occasional Morten Andersen, the guy who is really good for a long time. Rivera is that guy. But if baseball history holds in the cases of Parnell and Perkins, then by 2015 the odds are they'll either have lost their jobs or gotten hurt." Mr.Schoenfield goes on to suggest the Twins, and Mets, should trade their closers because: "What's more important than worrying about acquiring a Proven Closer is acquiring bullpen depth. So the Twins and Mets shouldn't hang on to Perkins and Parnell simply because they worried about trading their closer. They'll find another one easily enough." Link to full article below: http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/38037/another-reason-closers-are-overrated

Having the team drafting above you pass on the #1 talent in the draft isn't a normal occurrence. If the Twins won just 2 more games they wouldn't have had a chance at him because the M's would have taken him.

Tanking is not only an ugly word for what the Twins could be doing but an inaccurate word. The organization isn't sitting their best players (like basketball ball teams often do). They aren't trading every player that has more than one years experience (like the Astros or Marlins). They actively tried to get FAs in the off season but found most guys didn't want to come to MN unless over payed. Over paying for mediocre talent is how teams stay bad for a long time. Players, managers, and front office people are "playing" for their jobs. Now, realizing you will not make the playoffs so might as well plan for the following years is completely different from tanking. Finding at bats or innings for younger players to see what you got and trading pieces to play off contenders for prospects or cost controlled players isn't tanking. Its being smart. While normally it results in more losses, which leads to higher draft picks, it isn't the sole reason.

Wonder how Kohl Stewart stacks up compared to other recently drafted high school pitchers? Don't worry, Callis answered this question in his April 29th Ask BA article. I’m basing the rankings below on how the pitchers were regarded at the time of their draft. For instance, Jose Fernandez would rank No. 1 based on current status, but he ranked 20th overall on our 2011 Top 200 Draft Prospects list. 1. Dylan Bundy (Orioles, No. 4 overall pick, 2011) So polished that scouts considered him equivalent to a college pitcher. 2. Jameson Taillon (Pirates, No. 2, 2010) Pittsburgh took the next Josh Beckett between Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. 3. Archie Bradley (Diamondbacks, No. 7, 2011) Had even more electric stuff than his Oklahoma high school rival, Bundy. 4. Max Fried (Padres, No. 7, 2012) First lefty on this list is a slightly less powerful version of Clayton Kershaw. 5. Lucas Giolito (Nationals, No. 16, 2012) Might have been first prep righty to go No. 1 overall if he hadn’t hurt his elbow. 6. Kohl Stewart (St. Pius X HS, Houston, 2013) Has best high school arm this year, extra leverage as Texas A&M quarterback recruit. 7. Lance McCullers Jr. (Astros, No. 41, 2012) Only signability dropped him to the sandwich round, where he landed $2.5 million. 8. Taylor Guerrieri (Rays, No. 24, 2011) His stuff compared to Bradley’s in 2011, but maturity issues caused a slight slide. 9. Karsten Whitson (Padres, No. 9, 2010) Failed to sign after contentious negotiations, then struggled and got hurt at Florida. 10. Trey Ball (New Castle, Ind., HS, 2013) There’s no longer a split camp on two-way’s star future—he’s definitely a pitcher. Link to article below: Ask BA: The 2013 Draft's "True First-Rounders" - BaseballAmerica.com

In Kohl's first two starts: First start:2 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 ER, 2 Ks, no walks Second Start:3 innings pitched, 1 hit, 0 ER, 3 Ks, no walks

No player or manager who is fighting for their job is going to tank. GMs? They might because of the incentives but Ryan isn't in complete rebuild mode like other teams. It just isn't realistic. Too much money involved. The Twins just blow. I'm not as sentimental as other people around here. Winning 5 more games than last year doesn't mean anything to me. Missing the play offs is missing the play offs. Give me the high draft pick. I don't mind them losing.

Molitor doesn't have enough coaching experience for my fancy. If, which I highly doubt they will, let Gardy go put my vote down for Mike Maddux. Played in the bigs, good history as being a pitching coach in the bigs, and has worked wonders with the rangers pitching staff. Once again, it doesn't really matter because I doubt the Twins get rid of Gardy.

Maybe my favorite Twins article so far.

J.J. Cooper is about to start a chat about the updated list. Here is a link so we can get some Twins questions in: BaseballAmerica.com: Chat Prospects

How many of the other qualified CFers are 23 with less than 300 big league plate appearances? While I agree Clete/Antoan combo might be better right now but it isn't that big of an upgrade. Give the kid at bats because he is part of our future. Maybe my expectations of what a rookie should do his first year is different from others. I'm impressed by Hicks performance so far but maybe that is just me.