Seth Stohs

since he's been acquired, there was a lost minor-league season, and he had an arm surgery (maybe TJ?)... Just getting healthy this year.

That's a lot to give up, but two years of Mahle softens the blow. All three prospects will likely be big leaguers, but if the Twins want to win this year, this is the kind of deal they have to make.

Trade Deadline Day has begun, and the Twins have made the first move of the day. They have acquired Orioles' closer Jorge Lopez. Lefty starter Cade Povich is heading to the Orioles along with reliever Yennier Cano and two pitches currently in the Complex League. Jon Heyman was the first to report that the Twins are acquiring Jorge Lopez from the Orioles. The Twins will send four pitchers including Twins Daily Top 10 prospect Cade Povich, reliever Yennier Cano, and two more pitchers from the low-minors, Juan Rojas and Juan Nunez. Prior to this year, Lopez, 29, was a struggling starting pitcher. He debuted with two games with the Brewers in 2015 and then pitched in another 11 games with the Crew between 2017 and 2018. He went to the Royals and pitched in 47 games between 2018 and 2020. He went to the Orioles in 2020. That year, he posted a 6.34 ERA over 38 1/3 innings in nine games (six starts). In 2021, he went 3-14 with Baltimore with a 6.07 ERA over 121 2/3 innings. But this season, the O's moved him full-time into their bullpen and he became an All-Star. In 44 games, he is 4-6 with a 1.68 ERA. In 48 1/3 innings, he have given up 30 hits, 17 walks and struck out 54 batters. He has given up just three home runs, a couple to the Twins in back-to-back blown saves last month. Lopez throws hard, with a fastball averaging over 97 mph. As of right now, Lopez ranks as the second best reliever (behind Josh Hader) traded at the MLB deadline, though he’s likely to fall to at least third when Cubs closer David Robertson is dealt. He’s also under team control for two more seasons after this one. His worth is reflected in the quantity and quality of prospects the Twins gave up to acquire him. Twins Daily has learned that left-hander Cade Povich, their third-round pick in 2011 out of Nebraska, will be sent to the Orioles. Povich has spent the season with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. He became a top prospect with the organization when he arrived at instructional league last fall throwing 97 with a slider. Cano was signed after leaving Cuba. The 28-year-old has been impressive the past two seasons in Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul. He has made 10 appearances for the Twins. In 13 2/3 innings, he has walked 11 and struck out 14 while posting an ERA of 9.22. He's got good stuff and a rubber arm and will do well with the Orioles. Juan Nunez, 21, signed with the Twins from the Dominican Republic. He pitched in 11 games in 2021 in the DSL. This season, he is 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA in eight games (7 starts). Over 29 2/3 innings, he has walked 10 and struck out 47 batters. Juan Rojas is 18 years old, signed out of Venezuela. He also pitched in the DSL in 2021. This season, he is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in eight games (5 starts). In 30 innings, he has 38 strikeouts and just four walks. So, the Twins need to make sure that Jorge Lopez 2022 is the Jorge Lopez they are acquiring, and not turn back into Jorge Lopez circa 2015-2021. Will Lopez be thrown into the closer's role? Most likely, Rocco Baldelli will be able to simply choose between Lopez and Jhoan Duran, along with Griffin Jax, in the late innings, and that is a positive. The Twins made one move... Will they make more? Let us know your thoughts and what more you would like to see in the comment section. View full article

I find Harold Grant really interesting... Most players in the DSL are from the Dominican, Venezuela, etc. Harold Grant was signed in January from Barcelona, Spain. So, he actually speaks Spanish (though I'm guessing there are subtle regional dialects). But he's had a nice start to his career as well.

He had a long bout with Covid. So did Wood Richardson. It's just great seeing them back on the mound.

Every level is a step up, and adjustments need to be made. It's also good to see how a player responds to struggles. And they absolutely should be patient with Cano and especially Moran. Both can be 4-5 year relievers.

Key Play: No question the biggest play of the game was Profar drilling the 2nd base umpire. If it doesn't hit the ump, it's a 2-2 game and that inning takes on a whole new direction, potentially. Megill - First pitch tonight, 100... After that, nothing but low-80s slow, 12-6 curveballs, which are a nice pitch, but man, I'd like to see him throw the heat a bit more. He can be a late-inning guy.

The Twins, Sean and others, said that they were going to try to sign him. The draft-and-follow was a possibility, but they wanted him signed right away for multiple reasons.

Always interesting to see how catchers do when they come into the organization. Generally, if you look at the catchers throughout the organization, especially in the lower levels, most of the catchers catch just twice a week. Hard to get into an offensive rhythm like that, but they want lots of guys ready defensively and getting reps because it is such a position of attrition. Then again, always interesting to see which catchers get an opportunity to DH. Ryan Jeffers caught a couple times a week and DHd pretty much every other game.

Celestino optioned, Coulombe to 60 Day IL.

Thanks to @Dave Overlund for being willing to try this out... Now, let us know who is right, who is wrong, and who you would vote for below.

I agree with this... Without listening back, Sean Johnson said that he's a "kitchen sink" guy. Doesn't throw real hard, maybe 92 with room to increase that potentially, and a ton of pitch options... Now, over time the Twins, with him, will likely talk about the pitch mix, what are effective pitches or not... but Sean said that at least to start, he will throw the knuckleball some... and that it can be a really good pitch as he throws it like 80 mph. So, it's definitely not the traditional knuckler.

First of all, I echo the comments saying 'Great Job, @Jamie Cameron! As for the shortstop thing... I think it's their intent to just draft best available... In 2019 and 2021, there was a bigger focus on pitching because those drafts had some pitching depth. The general thought on this draft is that pitching was weak. Sean said a big focus was on up-the-middle guys. Of course, that doesn't mean that they'll all stay there, and that's OK. Lee wasn't the #8 overall pick because of his defense. It's because hit bat plays anywhere, and if it's SS, great. Schobel already played mostly 2B. Daniel and Lopez are likely going to college. Everyone gets how hard it is to find an MLB shortstop, so you draft a bunch of them, and try to develop them, and if not, they are great athletes and can move. That's a good thing.

Absolutely have been, and just FYI... several more scheduled over the next few days!!

Williams was 5-for-50 to start the 2021 season in Cedar Rapids... Then he moved up to Wichita, and he hasn't stopped hitting. And his power stretch in recent weeks is incredible. Also, Yasser Mercedes has sure done well to start his career.

So, uhh... there are some catchers.

Well, @Jeremy Nygaard, you got one name right again this year!! That Comp pick was drafted.. oh wait, that was by the Brewers... I'll give you credit!

Of course, but it was very clear from how Sean Johnson said things, and the Noah Miller/Brooks Lee comp told me a lot. They loved Noah Miller, and this tells me they were thrilled with getting Lee. And, Priellip, I've talked to a few guys. They really like him and were surprised he was still there.

It's all the same people. Deron Johnson's still around. Sean Johnson was promoted. Mike Radcliff is involved. The cross-checkers have been around a long time. One thing they do now is include player development in evaluating players and the communication is great between departments.

80 players heard their name called on Sunday night, altering the course of their lives, or at least their potential bank accounts. The top 68 draft spots have a slot value of over $1 million. The Twins had three picks in that top 68 picks, and they couldn’t be happier with the players they selected. Let’s start with the basics. The draft was filled with surprises at the start. After Jackson Holliday and Druw Jones went with the top two picks, the Rangers messed up a lot of mock draft boards by selecting righty Kumar Rocker with the third overall pick. In addition, the Cubs used the seventh overall pick on Oklahoma right-hander Cade Horton. That left the Twins with several options that we have read a lot about, including Cam Collier (18th, Reds), Gavin Cross (9th, Royals), Kevin Parada (11th, Mets) and others. The Twins scouting department was ecstatic that shortstop Brooks Lee was available. “We see him as a playmaker. He’s a creative, skilled, and instinctual player,” Scouting Director Sean Johnson said following the first day of picks. Lee could have been a very high pick out of high school but, as Johnson noted, “chose to go play for his dad, Larry Lee, who is a heavily decorated college coach, and they have a very close connection. He comes from a really strong baseball family.” Interestingly, Johnson noted that in 2021, when the Twins selected Wisconsin prep shortstop Noah Miller, they were comparing him to Brooks Lee, who the Twins have been watching for several years going back to high school. He noted, they both “have really good instincts, elite baseball IQ, great feel for the game, really great feel to hit in the batter’s box.” “We think, whether he plays shortstop, or second or third or wherever he ends up, we think that he has a chance to have impact power to go along with the hit skills that he possesses.” Lefty Conner Prielipp was the team’s second-round pick (#48 overall) out of the University of Alabama. He had Tommy John surgery in May of 2021, but he has thrown bullpens and was impressive at the draft combine. Many believe he has the talent to be a top-of-the-rotation starter in time. Several Twins scouts saw him before the injury, but they have been around him a lot. The area scout, Matt Williams, and the supervisor, Derek Dunbar, got the chance to know him. Johnson said, “Our scouting staff has absolutely loved the pitcher, loved the pitches. The uniqueness of the slider is a real draw. It’s a high-velocity breaking ball that you don’t see a lot because his grip on it is pretty unique.” Johnson also said that Alabama head coach Brad Bohanon was very helpful in giving the Twins insight on his makeup and the type of person he is off the field. At the combine, he was up to 95 or 96 mph and the breaking ball was at 90, and he flashed a changeup. It was an impressive outing (just 20 pitches), and it certainly is a signal that he’s tracking toward full health.” In 2021, the Twins drafted Steve Hajjar in the second round. They added Cade Povich in the third round. In the fifth round, they took Christian MacLeod. All three are left-handed, and Prielipp adds another left-handed arm with upside to the mix. Is this a trend? A strategy? Or, just who the best pitcher was on their board at the time. Johnson said, “Our aim is not to acquire left or right-handed pitching, it’s just impact pitching, regardless of which hand they throw with. So obviously it’s a little more unique being left-handed. A guy with his kind of pitches and upside is exciting to turn over to our player development group which has done such an amazing job with a lot of the pitchers we have taken in the last couple of years. To be able to add him into the mix is really exciting for our future, as it pertains to pitching prospects in our system. Finally, with the 68th overall pick, the Twins took infielder Tanner Schobel from Virginia Tech. Now, he is listed at 5-10 and 170 pounds, but his stats might surprise you. This season, he hit .362/.445/.689 with 18 doubles, a triple, 19 home runs, and 74 RBI. He led the Hokies in home runs, RBI and total bases, a team that included Gavin Cross who was taken by the Royals with the ninth overall pick. “He really performed. He’s a guy that grows on you a little bit. He’s not the most physical guy on the board, but he’s got surprising strength and he can jolt the ball farther than you’d ever think he could,” Johnson continued. “His makeup is really good. Comes from a really great background, and family. He’s really competitive. He was the leader on that Virginia Tech team.” The Twins went to watch Gavin Cross a lot, but “The more you see that team play, the more you appreciated Schrobel’s game. He’s got a chance to stay in the middle of the diamond. He’s got a fast swing with some sneaky power. Like Brooks Lee, he’s got plus-intangibles.” Fair to say that the draft couldn’t have gone much better for the Twins. They have two players that probably should have gone higher in the draft fall to them, and their third pick is clearly a guy they really like too and maybe even drafted just a little higher than he might rank, knowing that they don’t have a third-round pick on Monday and he would be gone long before Round 4. The Twins draft room was very happy, according to Johnson. “We were just saying in the room that some years, it feels like you don’t get any bounces falling your way, and some years you feel like some of them go, but you never feel like they all fall that way. But to get the three guys we got tonight, felt like a really good night for our room. We coveted all three players. We were hopeful that ones would make it to certain ranges on the board, and the fact that they did, our room is in a really good spot going into Day 2.” Here’s hoping that Sean Johnson and the personnel at Target Field are just as excited about Day 2’s selections. Regarding Day 2, Johnson said, "Day 2 always seems to be the craziest!" View full article

Credit to Sean Johnson, the Scouting Director, and his entire scouting staff!

My guess... and it's just that. He'll sign. Spend a couple of weeks at the Complex. Then move up to Ft. Myers for a month, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends at Cedar Rapids. I'd also venture to guess that they will instruct the hitting coaches not to change a thing, They probably won't touch his swing at all this season. Just let him play. He's the best hitter in the draft already.

OK, Dude just got drafted following his junior season in college, he's 21, and he's "too old?" He was top 5 on most every board. I can't imagine not loving this pick.