twinsfan34

I think this is something that is in the best interests of the players, might be some 'fight' back. Speaking of an alternative, our man Byron Buxton endorses these: @getGRINDS

Pretty solid start. Just glad we haven't had to say we passed on Kyle Schwarber (Indiana, Cubs #4)...4 homeruns in his first 18 at bats, already being promoted to A+. Nice to see (or also telling) Gonsalves got the first start for the ELZ Twins.

Diaz, Tapia, and Tovar are considered their top prospects correct? Who else would have MLB projections?

I hadn't heard the Salvador Perez comp either, however, I was also under the impression having watched about 4 Royals games this year and coming away very impressed with Perez as a defender, someone who Fangraphs ranks as the #3 defensive catcher in MLB, just barely behind Yadier Molina. http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0 I was thinking Navarreto was more offensive....less defensive. My couch scouting was thinking a more powerful Sandy Alomar, Jr. build and skillset wise.

Agree with everyone else...cryptic, but also because it seems it's not his decision. May was lights out. He's actually outpitched Meyer this year. Both those 'kids' are 24...going on 25...not sure how much longer they need to stew in the minors...until 29..maybe 30... (sarcasm)

Michael Ohlman is a pretty solid catching prospect, well, more so a hitter. Reports say he calls a good game, however struggles blocking balls with his 6'5"+ frame. He's 23 and at Bowie (AA - Eastern League - same as New Britain) hitting .236/.321/.330. Last season he hit .313/.410/.524 in the Florida State League...pretty solid numbers as a 22 year old (avg age was around 23). But that said, he's not ready. But if he hits well enough in AA this year he could be in the mix for next year. Matt Wieters becomes a Free Agent after 2015, and Buck Showalter has gone on record the Yankees will sign him (sarcasm, not literally now with McCann signed, but saying he'll take the big contract). So Suzuki would be a good rental (or another like him) in the interim of the rest of this year, Wieters returns in 2015...Ohlman backs him up and takes over in 2016 should the Showalter prophecy come true regarding Wieters.

Good read. Been wanting for an article like this. And further updates on those two guys... Nice to hear they may be forming a great friendship to build on. I've watched the Twins a lot more than I thought I would this year. Layst year, it was tough to finish watching many of the games vs just check a box score after the game was finished. Glad the Twins are doing well, despite these two guys being out. I wish I knew more on Buxton's injury. Just seems, perhaps like Sano's injury or unlike it, that there is possible further damage? I hope they're doing ultra sound (get more blood to the location, heal faster) to anti-inflammatories, ice, heat, and the like - wasn't mentioned specifically in the article - but the Twins has a medical staff that is no doubt better than my pre-med education - so despite the seemingly indefinite wait on this wrist injury - just have to trust they're doing everything possible to ensure a healthy and quick recovery.

I was wondering too... Found this: "The derby features eight participants, including Bradenton Marauders outfielder Josh Bell, and will be broken into two rounds. Each hitter will have three minutes to hit as many home runs over McKechnie's regular wall (worth two points) or an auxiliary fence placed in the outfield (one point)." http://www.bradenton.com/2014/06/11/5199566/mckechnie-field-should-be-friendly.html Either way, the kid continued to impress. Perhaps a poor man's Jose Abreu (a lesser .260 AVG .314 OBP .600 SLG).... Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/06/11/5199566/mckechnie-field-should-be-friendly.html#storylink=cpy

Leaves just Burdi and Curtiss correct? Both of which are still in the CWS...

I actually asked Klaw that question...glad to see everyone else here had the same thoughts. As the thought bubble was more than just Prince, granted, I'd take Prince's first 8 years of production for Vargas without shedding a tear! But Frank Thomas, and of course, Vargas' own personal mentor, David Ortiz. But even so, was hoping for a more specific analysis. "doesn't generate enough bat speed" or "poor pitch recognition" versus comparing him to a perennial all-star who's over 300 lbs, but currently injured. Thrylos says he can hit now...I hope Thrylos is right, not Klaw.

I think there were initial concerns, as he doesn't quite fit 'the picture' of today's 6'3+" 220+ thoroughbred pitchers. I kinda figured he'd 'compete' his way up the ladder at a much slower pace. He seems to have that drive and humility but is a bit shorter and he is might not throw as hard as those aforementioned thoroughbreds. But, he seems to have not only that moxy/compete (sometimes just become throwers) in him but can really pitch. Exciting to see. I'd agree with a previous poster, still would be surprised if he beat Buxton to the bigs. But it's becoming more of a coin toss now.

I agree with you Singleton didn't have a MLB at bat yet. He was a pot smoking violation from a year ban (would kill his development and give him time to smoke more weed). So for him, he can walk away with money and be ok still. Arcia, man, if the guy gains some patience/control of the strike zone....he's a .280 30+ HR guy annually.

Great post, thanks for sharing this Lightfoot.

Round 8... Keaton Steele, 91-93. RP most of the season, has started some. Groundball pitcher. http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/keaton_steele_831367.html That makes ANOTHER college relief pitcher. Per MLB.com 6'3" 225lbs DOB: 10/30/91 | http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/components/events/draft/y2012/draftcaster/images/vid_icon.pngScouting videoSteele missed his first college season in 2011 with rotator-cuff and labrum tears in his shoulder that required surgery. He came back the next year to win Most Outstanding Player honor at the Junior College World Series. Steele helped Iowa Western capture its second national title, hitting a go-ahead two-run homer and earning a save in the championship game. In his first season at Missouri in 2013, he was the only NCAA Division I player to lead his team in homers, wins and saves, and he has focused mostly on pitching this spring. When he's at his best, Steele works at 91-93 mph and touches 96 with a heavy fastball, flashing a plus slider with good tilt at 84-85 mph. At other times, he pitches with an 88-91 mph fastball and a flatter slider in the upper 70s. He has a strong, athletic frame and earns praise for his control and his competitiveness. Moved into the Tigers' rotation for the final three weeks of the season, Steele responded with two complete games and pitched into the ninth inning of his third outing. He has a chance to start in pro ball, though he'll need a better changeup in that role. After graduating as a redshirt junior with a degree in sociology, he's expected to sign after turning down the Rays as a 29th-rounder in 2012 and the Royals as a 40th-rounder last year.

What?! Another reliever?!?! Perhaps the FO thinks we're contending already? Or thinking we will next year or 2016? I mean, this seems like a mentality a perennial division winner has. Must think Buxton is going to go 12 WAR next year and Sano about 8 WAR.

Took the thought right out of my brain...both of those guys were hard throwers (94-97 MPH), so not quite Buri/Cederoth territory....but we haven't seen either. I think Chargois had TJ correct? Bard came back late last year to FTM...but I haven't seen him yet this year.

I'm someone who believes relievers can be had somewhat easily, e.g. Grant Balfour, etc types seem to come out of nowhere. So typically my 'philosophy' would be, grab as many hard throwing starter arms as possible. If they can't develop a 3rd pitch, voila, full effort throwing for 2 pitches = successful MLB reliever. That said, these two guys, Burdi and Cederoth, are guys who have thrown 100 mph and are the hardest throwers in this draft. They also, barring injuries, are pretty much locks to make MLB and likely by next year. So, who knows, if somehow Buxton, Sano, and Rosario are ready to add some bats to the team next year, sign another starter...this is a team that could be above .500 next year. A lot of contingencies for sure, but no more Jared Burton etc.

Yeah. Was stated on air Reid-Foley and Harrison had price tag concerns. Whether true or not, hard to tell, other than they both fell quite a ways. I'm all on board for a Burdi over Eades type. And I guess if you have a potential top closer/setup guy who is lights out. Does provide value.

Well...some feel he could pitch in MLB by this Fall. I just don't like RP/CP as high draft picks. Maybe they want to try him as a starter...have to.

Here we go...foley...harrison...?

One more pick...Cubs...hope they pass on Harrison.

Yeah, I would have been happy with Gatewood too. He's a Brewer now. 4 more picks...then the Twins.

Monte Harrison Michael Gettys ??

He's hitting .272 now overall as a 19 year old in Class A (almost 2 years younger than the competition). Only 500 minor league plate appearances. He's got a great glove and he's very fast. More like Cristian Guzman at this point in that he has great speed, but not 'stolen base' speed (yet). I think the thinking may be for the Twins, if we have solid SS prospects, can always trade them for a high return value. I hope Gordon turns out well. He' is in the same 'mold' as what we have in our system now in the likes of Vielma, Polanco, Goodrum, etc. He's not likely to hit like Buxton, Sano, or Rosario. I think I would have still liked Jackson a bit more, but the Twins saw him 10+ times in person - so they had to have been in consensus on him. Buxton was a can't miss. Kohl is looking good. Our late first and early 2nd rd picks haven't turned out that well of late (Travis Harrison, Hudson Boyd, Madison Boer, Luke Bard, JT Chargois, Mason Melotakis, Ryan Eades), with the exception of Berrios, so let's hope they can get a good one this year.

I'm audio here... TV on MLB and computer on here: http://espn.go.com/mlbdraft/live