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Christopher Crawford released his new mock draft and has the Twins taking Stewart. Link below: The Mock 2013: Volume VI |

Interesting article from ESPN on the last time each AL team drafted an All-Star. Spoiler alert.... We have the second longest time since we drafted one.... Minnesota Twins: Evan Meek (2002) Joe Mauer was drafted first overall in 2001 and since then has been a draft spell as cold as a Minnesota winter. That's how you go from six division titles in nine years to back-to-back seasons of 99 and 96 losses. That's also the price you pay when you spend a decade never drafting higher than 14th. Meek was actually released by the Twins before making the All-Star team as the Pirates' rep in 2010 Full article below: http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/36350/last-time-each-al-team-drafted-an-all-star

A few more interesting questions from the perfect games chat: [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtext viewer_text][TABLE=width: 0] Is it fair to assume #4 is where the draft starts? Or can you see one of the big 3 (Appel, Bryant, Grey) falling past #3? [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtime, bgcolor: #F6F6F6]12:06 [/TD] [TD=class: chatmsgtext altcaster_text][TABLE=width: 0] [/TD] David Rawnsley: If that happens Kyle the Twins are going to be very happy campers.....but I don't see it happening. There is no reason for the Mark Appel song and dance from 2012 to repeat itself. [/TABLE] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtext viewer_text][TABLE=width: 0] Out of all the high school arms projectdd to be selected in the supplemental-2nd round which ones have the highest upside? Which ones have the best present "stuff"? [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtime, bgcolor: #F6F6F6]12:28 [/TD] [TD=class: chatmsgtext altcaster_text][TABLE=width: 0] [/TD] Todd Gold: Present stuff: Ian Clarkin. Upside: Devin Williams. [/TABLE] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtext viewer_text][TABLE=width: 0] Is Hunter Green a legit target for Twins at 43, or do you think he'll be gone at that point? [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtime, bgcolor: #F6F6F6]12:34 [/TD] [TD=class: chatmsgtext altcaster_text][TABLE=width: 0] [/TD] David Rawnsley: I have to admit that I have less feel for Green than just about any other HS player in the country. When I saw him last summer he was obviously interesting but a LONG way away from being a top round consideration. There are a ton of HS lefties who have similar abilities and it will be a matter of individual preference as to who goes to who in the 20-50 range.....Green could well be there when the Twins pick. [/TABLE] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtext viewer_text][TABLE=width: 0] Does Kohl Stewart compare well to Josh Becket when he was drafted? [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtime, bgcolor: #F6F6F6]12:49 [/TD] [TD=class: chatmsgtext altcaster_text][TABLE=width: 0] [/TD] David Rawnsley: They are comparable on draft status and obviously location but Beckett was much more polished at the same age with far more innings under his belt. He didn't compete against HS hitters, he toyed with them. And I did see Beckett many times in HS. Remember, Beckett was almost the only HS RHP ever drafted #1 overall, it was down to the wire between he and Josh Hamilton. [/TABLE] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtext viewer_text][TABLE=width: 0] Did you think Clint Frazier is better than Byron Buxton? I know that they are different type player. [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 0] [TD=class: chatmsgtime, bgcolor: #F6F6F6]12:54 [/TD] [TD=class: chatmsgtext altcaster_text][TABLE=width: 0] [/TD] David Rawnsley: Different players, obviously. Buxton went #2 overall and was in the talk for #1. Frazier will go top 10 unless I'm shocked, but he's not going #2. Ergo....... [/TABLE] [/TABLE]

Jim Callis also is doing a draft/prospect chat today at 1:30 ct. Here is the link: Prospects And Draft Chat With Jim Callis - BaseballAmerica.com

Keith Law's present and future grades for Zimmer and Shipley head to head Zimmer: Fastball- 60/60 Fastball movement-45/45 Command-40/50 Control-45/55 Curve ball-55/65 Change-40/50 Shipley: Fastball-60/70 Fastball movement-45/45 Command-40/50 Control-45/55 Curve ball-50/60 Change up-65/65 Looking at those numbers it would look like Shipley is the better overall short stop converted to pitcher prospect. But wait! Let's look at Jonathan Mayo's present/future grades for Shipley. Shipley: Fastball-60/70 Control-40/60 Curve ball-40/50 Change up-40/50 Those numbers are pretty different and make Zimmer look like a better prospect. Now let's look at BA's future grades for Zimmer. Zimmer: Fastball-70 Command-65 Control-65 Curve ball-65 Change up-55 Once again we see very different numbers which can alter what you think of the two. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of either guy but I see the upside. They both profile as #2s if they reach their ceiling but unlike most college pitchers are both pretty raw. If Shipley gives the Twins a massive discount and they use the saved money on high end talent later I guess I would be fine with it even though I prefer Stewart.

Odds are that Buxton never even makes it that far? In Law's updated prospect list he moved Buxton to #2. Good chance he ends the year in high-A. HS players do have a higher bust rate than college players but that doesn't mean every one busts at the same rate. Once again, the Twins took the safest/quickest to the bigs player in Wimmers a few years ago and how has that turned out? On Gausman, I have no problem with preferring him to Buxton coming out of the draft. I loved Gausman coming out of college but saying X player will be in the bigs quicker so he is better is short sided. Gausman is a heck of a talent but it will be years to know who is better.

While Gausman is up now his first outing wasn't what you call a quality start. Wacha is pitching this week but who knows how it will turn out. A limited amount of innings from either, heck both, these players doesn't make the Twins a play off team. Take the best player regardless of time till the majors. Outside of the uber elite rookies most struggle their first year or two anyways. Now is McGuire the best player at 4? No way I could see it. Personally, i have about 10+ prospects ahead of him. As people have said above if you are going under slot take Shipley but you better hope some big names fall.

Article about who Green is visiting. Includes Rangers/Rays who both have multiple late 1st round picks and Atalanta. Green working out for pro teams this week - Bowling Green Daily News: Sports

Nice! Pitcher/pitcher would be solid with how this draft class is setting up.

Talent wise Green fits perfectly in at 43rd pick range. Have seen him on draft boards from 31-54. The biggest question I have is IF the Twins take Stewart at #4 would the front office take two HS pitchers in a row? Out of their last 5 drafts they have only taken 2 HS pitchers out of their 33 picks in the top 5 rounds. This draft is flushed with HS arms so I hope they do.

It was interesting neither made it but the whole list is pretty impressive. There have been a ton of break out players this year.

BA posted their updated 500 player draft board. Link below: BaseballAmerica.com: Draft Preview Database

Geeze, busy day for mockers. There is ANOTHER mock draft over at bleacher report but this one is one of those annoying ass slide shows..... They have the Twins taking Kohl Stewart, seems to be the popular pick, and here is what they have to say. Picking fourth means the Minnesota Twins will likely miss out on the draft's top three prospects: Appel, Gray and Bryant.On the plus side, it frees them from the shackles of having to pick one of those players. From their spot, they could go in any number of directions.If they are seeking a seasoned hitter, UNC's Colin Moran will be there for the taking. If they prefer another high-upside player in the Byron Buxton mold, there's two waiting to be plucked in Austin Meadows and Clint Frazier.More than likely, Minnesota will be going after the top available pitcher. Right now, it looks like they could have eyes for prep right-hander Kohl Stewart.Stewart is a pretty good consolation prize, offering mid-90s heat and arguably the best breaking ball in the draft. He is an exceptional athlete who has front-of-the-rotation stuff.On a related note, the Twins happen to lack a true ace.This is the perfect example of need meeting best available player. Full link below: 2013 MLB Mock Draft: Best-Case Scenarios for All 30 Teams' First-Round Picks | Bleacher Report

Another mock note. A blogger at SB Nation put together a Consensus mock draft list where he took 5 of the top mockers and figured out who's name is linked where the most. Link below: MLB 2013 draft: Consensus mock draft list - SBNation.com

Another mock draft from bleacher reports and this one also has the Twins taking Stewart at #4. Here is the link: 2013 MLB Mock Draft: Landing Spots for Top Pitchers in First Round | Bleacher Report

Today Keith Law released an updated prospect list, only top 25, and the Twins ended up have two in the top 6. Coming in at #2 he had Byron Buxton and at #6 he had Sano. It is behind the money wall but I will post what he has to say about our young studs: Buxton: Buxton was the top prospect on my board in last year's amateur draft, and his huge April (.392 BA/.510 OBP/.584 SLG) seemed to justify that ranking in striking fashion. His May hasn't been as torrid, but the raw ability that made him such a commodity out of high school -- 80-grade speed on the 20-80 scouting scale, a very quick bat, a plus arm, the potential for plus-plus defense in center -- is accompanied by more present baseball skill than I realized last spring. He's already 19, so a late-season promotion to high-A wouldn't be too aggressive if he continues to rake. Sano: There are so few guys in the minors who project to hit 30 to 35 homers a year -- without some huge caveat such as, "He might strike out 200 times a year" -- that Sano ends up in the top 10 here despite questions about his position (he's still hanging in there at third base) and ultimate size. I don't think he'll be in the majors before late 2014, at the earliest, but the probability of his becoming an above-average big league regular is very high now. For the full list follow the link below: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9315120/oscar-taveras-st-louis-cardinals-new-no-1-prospect-baseball-mlb

Sorry, I just meant position vs pitcher/ HS vs college. I was specifically talking about individual positions but you are right. HS catchers have a insanely low success rate.

Personally the struggles of Boyd don't worry me in regards to Stewart at all. The fact Stewart is a HS pitcher worries me by itself. HS pitchers have the highest bust rate not only because of lack of development but injury. Saying that, to get an ace you have to get lucky ala Nationals or develop one yourself. Stewart definitely has the tools to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.

I just got done driving back to Houston from Dallas and I wanted to update this with the questions from the chat this week. Jim Shonerd did the chat and here is what he had to say about the Twins: Travis Harrison is having a sneaky good season in Cedar Rapids. Can he stick at third? Jim Shonerd: Sneaky good is a pretty good way to describe it–.280 with 7 long balls. He won’t be a gold glover at third or anything like that, but he’s made enough progress to look like he won’t hurt you there. Kyle Gibson (Louisville): What do I have to do to get called up!! Two complete game shutouts? How many minor leaguers every do that! Jim Shonerd: I’d say just stay healthy and keep doing what you’re doing. The Twins aren’t going anywhere and don’t need to rush Gibson, but I expect he could be up at any time once we get into June or July.

Over at SB Nation's Crawfish Boxes (Astros blog site) they put up their second mock draft. They have the Astros taking Appel at #1 but I found his explanation interesting. Just to let everyone know how close this was for me between Appel and Kris Bryant, I had a full e-mail typed out explaining my reasoning for Bryant. I would be happy with both players. However, as the adage goes, you can never have too much pitching. Appel has three plus pitches, some of them plus plus, and can command them all. He's not a perfect prospect, but I do believe he's the best player right now for the Astros. He could both pitch in the big league rotation by this September and anchor the rotation for the next ten years; his big league readiness and upside is pretty hard to pass up. The pick for now if Appel, but if you ask me next week I could very well go with Bryant. The author makes it very clear that he thinks the Astros might take Bryant which in the end still doesn't help the Twins get one of the big 2 arms. He has the Twins taking Stewart. Link below: TCB 2013 MLB Mock Draft v2.0 - The Crawfish Boxes

Christopher Crawford updated his draft board. Enjoy. The Board 2013: Volume VII |

Thanks for the link. I have updated the main page. It seems every time I update a mock they have the Twins taking Stewart.

Thanks! Glad I can help. I enjoy following the draft and the Twins minor leagues so I figured I would post some information this year. Seeing the talent the Twins added last year via the draft makes me excited knowing they can do it again this year.

Kieth Law has Green ranked 51 and here is what he has to say about him: Green has been wildly inconsistent this year, looking like a first-rounder some outings and a borderline prospect in others, making him a sort of lottery pick where if your number comes up, you get an elite prospect. He has been up to 95 mph this spring (and sometimes has pitched in the 80s), with 90-93 more typical, showing good two-seam life on the pitch. His changeup flashes above-average at 80-82 with hard fading action, while his breaking ball is slurvy at 75-80, sometimes a true curve with some two-plane action, but often just flipped out of his hand for an easy chase pitch against high school hitters. His delivery is a little rough, drifting off the rubber early, with a moderate stride and some occasional head violence, but he turns his arm over early and finishes well out front. He is extremely projectable, and a lefty with this kind of room to fill out who has already shown plus velocity is very intriguing, but he'll need to throw more strikes and develop that breaking ball further.

Not me. Stewart is taller and a freak athlete. His fastball is about the same speed but because of his height has a downward plane to it. Both have two advanced pitches but Stewart has a significantly higher chance to be an ace. If you want a J.O. comparison look at Kyle Serrano. Young, 2 advanced pitches, good control, but only 6 foot.