Seth Stohs

I admit that I wanted Gausman a year ago, and he's on the verge of the big leagues, so it would not have been a bad pick either. I always will advocate for Best Player Available, but if it's close between two players, go with the pitcher...

Doumit is a career .772 OPS. It was .781 last year and .830 the year before. I want to see Colabello get an opportunity as much as anyone, but there's no guarantee he would come anywhere near those numbers in the big leagues. If Colabello comes up, it would be as a part timer. Occasional 1B. Once in a while DH. Sometimes a pinch hitter. There could be some platooning involved, of course, though i think Doumit's stronger side is batting right-handed.

Wilkin Ramirez was pretty impressive, with 15 homers last year in just 370 at bats in Rochester.. just tells you how impressive Colabello has been that he's got 12 homers in about 170 at bats.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1748-Twins-MLB-Draft-Profile-Austin-Meadows-OF

Today, we continue our look at players that the Minnesota Twins could consider drafting with the #4 overall pick in next month's MLB Draft. Today, we look at an uber-talented prep player from a baseball hotbed! Who Is This Guy? It can be argued that outfielder Austin Meadows is the top-rated high school position player in the 2013 MLB Draft. It can also be argued that Austin Meadows is not the top-rated high school position player in the 2013 MLB Draft from Loganville, Georgia. Depending on which scout you talk to and on which day, Meadows (from Grayson high school) or outfielder Clint Frazier (from Loganville high school) is ranked a little higher. Georgia has been a baseball hotbed for the past several years. Twenty players have been drafted out of high school in Georgia over the past six drafts. That doesn’t include several players drafted from colleges such as Georgia, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State. The Twins used their second round pick in 2010 on Fayetteville, Georgia, shortstop Niko Goodrum. Just last year, the Twins used the second overall pick on Appling County High School (Baxley, Georgia) outfielder Byron Buxton. Among those drafted by other teams include Jason Heyward (Braves), Zach Wheeler, Tim Beckham, Delino DeShields, Jr., and Dwight Smith, Jr. No less than two more Georgia prepsters will be added to that list in 2013. Austin Meadows is a 6-3, 215 pound outfielder is a tremendous athlete. He has all five tools. He can hit and hit for power, though these skills will still need to develop. This year, he was hitting .535/.655/.930 with 14 doubles, a triple and four home runs. He has very good speed. He has 17 stolen bases this year. He has been times at about 6.3 seconds in the 60 yard dash. He is also known as a good outfielder in centerfield. He also had nearly a 2:1 K:BB ratio this year, showing a very good eye at the plate. The one question I keep hearing is whether or not he has the arm to stay in centerfield, so he likely profiles more in left field, but he has enough power potential that may not be an issue. [ATTACH=CONFIG]4126[/ATTACH] As mentioned, Meadows is a tremendous athlete. He played basketball until his freshman season. He played football through his junior season but focused on baseball for his senior year. Scouts also like to look at a player’s genetics. Meadows dad was a three-sport athlete in high school who went to Morehead State on a full football scholarship. He also was a walk-on in baseball. He started in both sports all four years. Meadows’ mother received a fast-pitch softball scholarship to Georgia Southern. Who Could He Be? Meadows is very raw, but he has the potential, the upside to hit for average and power while being a decent outfielder whose speed and arm may push him to left field. Best case scenario, he would become another Josh Hamilton-like talent. Jay Bruce is another player that he could be compared to. Of course, player comps seem to always be with all-star caliber players, but again, when talking about what Meadows could be, it is a middle of the lineup, power threat. How Soon Could He Be Playing In Target Field? When the Twins took Byron Buxton with the #2 pick a year ago, there was talk about him having a fairly raw hit tool. He signed quickly enough last year to spend time in both the GCL and Elizabethton. As Meadows is not a Boras client, it would be feasible that he would not wait until the deadline to sign. So it’s possible that he would play for both rookie league affiliates and start 2014 in Cedar Rapids. Because he is fairly raw, the assumption should be that he would spend all of 2014 with the Kernels. If he were to proceed by the Mauer path, he would split 2015 between Ft. Myers and New Britain and jump to the Twins in 2016. That’s absolute best case scenario. Most likely, he would not debut until later in the 2017 season. If The Twins Draft This Guy, They Messed Up Because… Although the Twins traded Denard Span and Ben Revere, and Josh Willingham will be a free agent following the 2014 season, the Twins do have some outfield depth in the organization. Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia are already in the big leagues. Joe Benson is still in the picture. Byron Buxton and Adam Walker should end the 2013 season in Ft. Myers. Max Kepler could still develop. There is always talk that infield prospects such as Miguel Sano or Travis Harrison could move to the outfield. Although Best Player Available is always the best strategy because we don’t know what the needs of the organization will be in three or four years, outfield is not a real position of need. Despite the success that the Twins have had with athletic outfielders drafted out of high school in previous drafts, there is always a lot of risk when drafting 18 year olds and giving them $4 million to sign. Meadows is raw and could develop into a star, or his skills may never reach the potential that scouts see in him. That’s the nature of the draft, but it is especially true with raw high school talent. Also, from the reports that I have read and people I have talked to, Clint Frazier may have more power potential and a better arm. There is a friendly competition between the two which may force the best out of each. If The Twins Draft This Guy, They Nailed It Because… Whoever the Twins draft, it will be because they have a conviction that the player will be the best player to help the organization. The front office knows the importance of getting such high picks right. If Meadows reaches that Josh Hamilton-like potential, he is a guy that you make room for on a roster. Meadows potential is to be able to hit for high average and for a lot of power. An outfield of Meadows (should he meet his potential), Buxton (should he meet his potential) and Hicks (should he meet his potential) with Arcia (should he meet his potential) DHing sounds like a pretty strong, especially if Miguel Sano and Travis Harrison can stay in the infield (and meet their potentials). SUMMARY: A lot of people thought it was a mistake when the Twins did not draft a pitcher in the 2012, instead drafting a raw, athletic outfielder out of Georgia with the #2 overall pick. Byron Buxton has done a great job of proving the Twins right. In 2013, it seems in theory to be equally silly for the Twins to consider drafting another raw, athletic outfielder (also from Georgia). If the Twins are convinced that he can be a four or five tool, difference-making type of hitter, then the absolutely should draft Meadows. If they have questions about whether he can reach those levels, then they should absolutely go in another direction. From my research and discussions, I’m not convinced that he is near the same level as Byron Buxton, so I think the odds of the Twins taking him with the 4th overall pick is probably pretty low. PREVIOUS Draft Profiles: LHP Sean Manaea - 5/20/13

Someone told me that Thielbar is reminiscent delivery-wise to Perkins. He's a low-90s guy with a couple of pitches. He's a little wild at times. I think he's similar to Duensing, which I think any team would be happy to take. Can't make too much out of whatever he shows over these three or four days, but it's exciting. He came back aggressive. I talked to him at Twins Fest, and I'll have to check my transcription. Great story!

Jordan Parraz was signed by the Twins and will be playing in New Britain. He He's spent the past four seasons playing in AAA. Was hitting like .141 in a small sample this year, but 6 of his 11 hits were extra bases (4 homers). He was a former 3rd round pick, showed a ton of power 25-31 homers most years.

I couldn't be happier for Thielbar. I love stories like this, and another local story. He's been terrific, especially in those last 8 outings when he's gone 11.1 innings and given up just 4 hits, walked 5 and struck out 15. As for Friday, I think the easy pick is Gibson since it is on his scheduled pitching day, and we'll find out probably Thursday. However, with two guys able to go on the 60 Day DL, it's also very much possible that they could add Sam Deduno, PJ Walters or even Andrew Albers to the 40 man to make a couple of starts.

Twins Twerp... the nice part about the podcast is that you can fast forward...

He may walk way too many and throw a ton of pitches, but I will agree that I really enjoy watching him pitch.

Wood is hurt.

It's fun to actually put our thoughts into practice though. It's easy to say I want this guy up or this guy down, but then there have to be corresponding moves. Here's what I'd do within the next week: 1.) Option Hicks, add Richardson to the 40 and call him up, put mastroianni on the DL. 2.) Option Hernandez, Recall Gibson. 3.) If they can call a fake injury of some sort, DL Pelfrey, add one of Andrew Albers/PJ Walters/Sam Deduno to the 40 man, put Tim Wood on the 60 Day DL. If no fake injury, just keep throwing him out there. 4.) I want to get Colabello up. The only way I can see it happening is to not do #3. Would have to Option Chris Parmelee, add Colabello to the 40 man roster, and put Tim Wood on the 60 Day DL. That would leave: OF - Willingham, Richardson, Arcia with Ramirez as the #4. IF - stays the same, with Colabello backing up Morneau at 1B and whoever at DH. Rotation - Correia, Worley, Pelfrey, Diamond, Gibson. Bullpen stays same for now.

A couple of questions: 1.) I like Colabello obviously, and Parmelee might be the move there since he's struggled. 2.) I'd support Richardson coming up and sending Hicks down since Hicks has struggled so much offensively and defensively. Richardson could play CF. 3.) I think Wilkin has been fine both on the field and as a leader in the clubhouse, something many believe is lacking. 4.) De Vries was terrible in his rehab and was just optioned to Rochester where he will make his first non-rehab start tonight. 5.) I'm fine with Gibson coming up. 6.) Pelfrey's got more string, for sure.

Just to clarify... Parmelee and Hernandez are Optioned to Rochester. Colabello and Richardson are added to the 40 man roster (with Mastroianni and Wood going on the 60 Day DL). Wilkin Ramirez is DFAd. Pelfrey is put on 15 Day DL. Gibson and De Vries are recalled from Rochester.

I may have missed Nate Roberts in the big list... but as you know, he had swelling in his knee after playing in one Miracle game, so he's back on the DL.

I agree on Wimmers. He was drafted in basically the same spot in the draft as Gibson and Meyer, and even if he's "just a #3"... there's value in that. Not sure that the Twins currently have a solid #3 in their rotation... probably not. I'm also with you on Boer to the bullpen. The time has come... and with this being a non-baseball, off the field injury, that is not good either.

if they're out, it'll only be for a couple of days, I'm sure...

I had a chance to ask someone in the Twins organization for an update on Twins minor league injuries... Bryan Augenstain has a flexor strain. He is getting close to pitching in games again. Nick Blackburn is planning to start with bullpens this week. Deolis Guerra is just starting a throwing program. Rich Harden just keeps experiencing a lot of shoulder soreness. Lester Oliveros had Tommy John last fall. He's on a throwing program and could throw a bullpen yet this month. Dan Sattler also had Tommy John. He is about to start throwing off of a mound very soon. Esmerling Vasquez has a rotator cuff strain, and is on a throwing program. Drew Butera has begun to catch bullpens. He should get into some games soon. Evan Bigley has a broken wrist and is in a cast. he's out at least 6 weeks. Alex Wimmers pitched off of a mound late last week. Harold Garcia had his right knee cleaned up. He's likely out another month. Madison Boer has a broken hand. He's out another month, maybe more. Jhon Garcia has a UCL sprain and is on a throwing program. Miguel Munoz has a forearm strain. He's on a throwing program and is out another week or two. Ryan O'Rourke has an oblique injury and a back strain. Likely out another week or two. Adam Bryant dislocated his shoulder in his first inning back from his foot injury. There is no timetable at this point. Michael Gonzales has a broken hamate bone and is out about 5 weeks or so. Mike Kvasnicka had a broken hamate bone and is likely out three more weeks. Lance Ryan has a sciatic nerve, back strain. His return is unknown and depends on how he's able to respond. Dallas Gallant will start throwing bullpens within the next week. Tyler Jones had a flexor strain. He may be ready in another week. Chris Mazza has an elbow strain. He's just getting back on the mound. Tim Shibuya is now pitching in Extended Spring Training. Max Kepler has a forearm strain. He just started DHing in EST late last week. Luke Bard has a shoulder impingement. Will probably be another month at least. JT Chargois has a UCL sprain. There is still no timetable on him.

I hadn't heard that. Last year it was early June still... but I'm not sure.

To be fair, Mike, the Twins did call up Hicks and Arcia without "money" being the issue. I believe they should have waited. The Twins didn't wait. Gibson? He's 25, but he's still developing. He would have been up two years ago, but he had a little thing called Tommy John surgery. Like I said, I expect him to replace Hernandez in the rotation one of the next two starts. I would prefer they wait one more start beyond that, but I sense that the Twins will call him up sooner, not worrying about the Super-2 thing.

HA! Atta boy, Jay! HA! Literally laughed out loud!

That's kind of fun to read!

In spring training, there was a ton of talk about service time as it related to Aaron Hicks and if he should be on the Opening Day roster. As was discussed, there were some key dates/timelines. 1.) For a player not to be a free agent for an extra season,- 20 days 2.) For a player not to be a Super-2 arbitration candidate - sometime around June 5th maybe. So, here is the update: Aaron Hicks - would need 20 days to retain him for an extra season. Oswaldo Arcia - would need 5 days to retain him for an extra season. Kyle Gibson - would need about 2 more weeks in AAA to not be a Super-2 guy. I know the Twins are talking about the right things, but they were never going to compete in 2013, so it makes more sense to me to be smart and keep guys around longer term when they're a little better. I enjoy watching Hicks and Arcia. I can't wait to see Gibson debut. But I'm a Twins fan through and through and will be for the long term, and I want to see them better longer. That's why I'd be completely fine with Hicks spending 3 weeks (or two months) in AAA as I believe it is better for him long-term as well as for the Twins. I'm comfortable with Arcia going down for a week. And, although I think Gibson will debut in like 10 days at home against the Brewers, I would be fine with waiting two more weeks. I know many disagree, but in a year where the Twins won't compete, a couple of weeks is not going to make a difference.