DocBauer

Economics and game playing in the draft are a real thing. And SOMEBODY may throw a monkey wrench in to the draft based on those two factors. And I can see reasons why Pittsburgh might grab Crews 1st, despite rumors. I can even, barely, see them drafting one of the HS kids 1st overall. And maybe, maybe, the Pirates make a HS bat move to play the "later in the draft" game. And maybe, maybe, the Nationals decide Crews is Harper #2 and can't resist a more "sure thing" to be a potential generational talent and passion on Skenes. So then comes the rebuilding Tigers. Are they scared of $8-9M for their 1st round pick? In one of the deepest drafts in years, do they grab someone like Langford, also a stud prospect, or maybe the best HS arm in the draft for 5yrs in Meyer...playing the long game for a potentially amazing return...and save $ for later picks to add to their rebuild? A ton of IF's and maybe's that actually make some sense. But then come the Rangers at #4. And their checkbook has been wide open the past couple of years. It hasn't paid off until this season. The ONLY way they don't pick Skenes is due to so much $ on the books already they don't want $8-9M on their first pick, OR, they just love their rotation and upcoming arms and want to add a stud bat to their system. SUDDENLY, Skenes falls in the Twins lap for around $9M. They have the $ to do it. Hell, they can STILL spend $ on the first 3 or 4 rounds and then draft a collection of inexpensive senior signs with at least some potential. Maybe a couple junior signs with a couple thousand more, which they've been good at. And then, Santa Clause brings toys to everyone who is and isn't a Twins fan next Christmas. LOL Skenes should be part of this series as he's one of the top 5. But at least one of the previous top 4 drafting teams will pick him, along with Crews. And while there MIGHT be a surprise pick, MAYBE two, the odds of either Skenes or Crew going to 5 are just not worth discussing.

A really interesting post Stringer! While he's a coach and not a player, we might include Matt Borgschulte, the Orioles hitting coach. He rose through the Twins system pretty quickly, and more than a few Twins prospects had positive things to say about him. As I recall, he was one of the candidates to be the Twins primary hitting coach before they settled on Popkins. And I don't mean that as an indictment of Popkins, or that he "got away", merely to include him as a former Twins organization addition to the Orioles. He's one of many coaches, instructors, and additional staff that have been "snagged" by other organizations over the past few years, an indication to me that the FO has a good eye for personnel. As to the 4 you listed: GIBSON: I never felt he got his due when with the Twins. IMO, he was a victim of expectations as he never became the front of the rotation starter everyone hoped for after being selected. And there's no question he ran hot and cold at times. But I think he was better than a lot of people gave him credit for. And he pitched for some not very good teams at times. I've always wondered if expectations and some bad teams held him down some. COULOMBE: I liked him with the Twins, and I like him now. He's nothing special, and he's had injury concerns. So I didn't have a problem with him being left off the 40 man. But once ST was underway, IMO, was an easy choice to be kept, placed on the 40 man for 1 of a few candidates, especially Megill, and should been kept, 100%. While I never would have kept Pagan...and I think few would have...but once he was back, his rubber, low leverage arm should have been kept as the 8th man, with Sands beginning the year at AAA, and Coulombe as a 3rd LH in the pen. Retrospect is one thing, but this was obvious KEEP in my mind, at the time, and doesn't need retrospect. CANO: He was bad with the Twins in 2022, and bad with the Orioles as well. The fact that he's done so well in 2023 with the Orioles is good for him, good for them, and a bit of a mystery. And I can't fault the Twins for tossing him in as part of the Lopez trade. Why wouldn't you at 28yo and bad control? But as you point out, his past 30 days have been in a constant decline. Surprisingly, the BB haven't been aweful, but the hits per and ERA are definitely up. I wish him no ill will, but it will be interesting to see the rest of this season and next, who is better between him and J Lopez. I understand that Lopez is a "good guy" dealing with some family issues. But if he can find a "good place" in his head and heart and balance his personal and professional life better, he's still got the stuff to be a very good piece to the Twins pen. I'm sure hoping so. And I believe the Twins still have arbitration control for 2024. WELLS: Yes, this one hurts a bit to be sure. But to put his situation in context, despite promise and being the Twins milb pitcher of the year after 2018, he went through surgery, and then missed all of 2020 as most milb players did. Meanwhile, the Twins had one the best seasons in the history of the franchise in 2019, and were fully expected to contend in 2020, which they did. At that time, the organization was looking to add a few depth pieces for the staff, as well as normal prospect 40 man adds, and weren't concerned with protecting a AA arm coming off of surgery. Now, I think it's fair to examine a few of the "throw away" arms they brought in for potential depth options, but I don't think we can blame them for not being concerned about a AA arm on rehab vs arms they believed might add to playoff runs. (Personally, I would have protected him). I'd like to think they've learned their lesson as they were somewhat protective of Enlow, have been with Canterino, and were aggressive with Paddack. MASSIVE credit to the Orioles who knew they were bad, were going to be bad, and were rebuilding their entire system. They took a shot on a rehabbing arm with no IP for 2yrs and no guarantee he'd ever amount to anything but stuck with him. From interviews of Wells alone, I'd like to have him as part of the system as he seems like a great teammate and high character guy. There really is no way the Twins, or Baltimore, could have expected what he's done here in 2023, over 4yrs removed from surgery, no play, and a couple of nondescript seasons at the ML level. HAD he been protected, I don't know that anything he's done the two previous seasons would have changed the various moves the Twins have made, but who knows for sure? He might be right there with Ober, and Varland, as part of the "pipleine" of young arms too good for AAA, but still behind the starters the Twins began this season with. But man, it would be fun to have that conundrum wouldn't it?

Really liked what he did last season and was a little surprised he wasn't on the Saints roster to begin the year, even if it was rather packed. And then he got off to such a rough start this season in Wichita I was very surprised and disappointed. Really great to see him at AAA and doing so well now. He's stretched, I believe, at SS and CF, which is why he's played them the least amount, but I think he might be able to fill in there. And frankly, I don't know how good his arm is, but he can, and has, played just about anywhere and everywhere so far, and he's got a nice mix of BA, OB%, SLG and speed with legitimate SB ability. One thing the Twins AREN'T lacking right now is utility options, now and 2024, between Gordon, Castro, Farmer, Helman (when healthy again), and Severino. And I'm probably missing someone.

I know it sounds simplistic and cliche, but if Nowlin can reign in that control on a more consistent basis, he's a legit ML SP prospect, IMO. At worst, he becomes a lethal LH RP. The thing is, his control isn't always bad. He's flashed days where the control is there, like yesterday's game, and you get really enthused. Then he walks 5 in 4 the next game and you scratch your head. I'm excited as he has stuff to work on, but when you can actually see what he can do, it's hard not to be.

I have nothing against Jenkins at #5 at all. He's got a powerful bat but reportedly good bat to ball skills as well. He runs above average for a big kid...still growing some I'd guess...and has a good arm. What's not to like? I keep thinking Kirilloff with a stronger arm? His profile as a HS senior just reminds me a lot of AK. He hasn't been a favorite choice of mine simply because we have a lot of young corner OF bats in A ball but I feel we're short of future CF types that have real bat potential. That's why I'm so high on Langford or Clark as they fit BPA AND need. There are a couple arms, and maybe Teel, that are legitimately worthy of top 10 status. And a couple might be top 5 in other drafts. But you should never turn down TOP talent. And I still think the best choice is to grab one of the top 5, whoever it may be, and celebrate your selection.

Trying to help Martin gain some additional power was not the wrong thing to do. Every team does it for every single position player as more power/pop means more XB hits and keeps both the pitcher and defense honest. To everyone's credit, all experimentation was dropped and Martin went back to what felt more natural. He finished strong, looked great in the AFL, and was in ST getting time pretty much day 1. And then he got hurt. Not his fault or the Twins. Where the Twins did mess up, IMO, was leaving him at SS too long when absolutely nobody thought he could play it at the ML level. I don't buy the "keeping him in the dirt and the middle of the action" arguement. 3B and 2B get enough action that he could have just worked at being better at those 2 spots, as well as getting in to the OF earlier. If his elbow holds up, he might be a part of 2024. SWR I don't have a clue on. I wasn't crazy about him when the trade was made and couldn't understand the high rankings. Then he started to break out in 2022 and I climbed on the SWR wagon. Now, a season later, it doesn't appear he's got anything to help. So I just don't have any answers other than he's young, and sometimes crap happens. But just no way to judge this trade for at least another year, if not two or more. Berrios is pitching and the other, younger pair are in AAA. Gotta see what happens for a while before any rational judgment can be made.

He hasn't been as bad as I feared. But he also hasn't been as good as I had hoped. I agree his .800 OPS and OPS+ just feel hollow. I love seeing his moonshots. And he's had some key games for us. But the RBI total is pretty small, the K's are higher than expected, and the BB fewer. If healthy healthy the second half all of his numbers should be at lest a little better, and he'll probably earn his $11M. But I still believe he and Kepler, combined, are providing no more offense than the guys at AAA, and for a whole lot more $. I just don't think they needed both. And I think that is being proved true.

Correa coming alive at the plate is what the Twins need. Buxton has been better of late following his rib injury by being hit by a 96mph FB, I'd be in bed for weeks! LOL Still, he came through. I still like a lot of what I've seen from Headrick despite the run To bad Ryan didn't get the W. But a win is a win. And the Twins got this one. Can they sweep before the break with good karma?

Even with talent traded away, the Twins had a very good 2019 draft. And while I still have serious concerns Sabato will ever amount to anything, Raya and Rosario are looking like keepers. Is Soularie actually starting to look like an actual prospect? The 2020 class might turn out very good with Raya and Rosario, even better if Soularie gets his act together being healthy now. Despite trading away 4 of their top 5 draft choices from the 2021 draft... for ML talent options yet to be determined, though it doesn't look good except for adding Gray...it was a good draft it seems. The Twins still have Miller at SS, Festa, a couple of interesting catchers in Winkel and Cardenas, and a handful of INF and P options that MIGHT turn out, including Adams at AA, Ohl, Macleod...just getting healthy...and the 19th pick Nowlin who could be a surprising rotation piece if he could put it all together, but is probably destined to be a hard throwing LH bullpen option who could be WICKED if he just keeps the BB under control. I am only semi hijacking the thread to state that with the draft coming up in a few days, we are going to have to address the 2022 draft at the same time. It only makes sense to me. Maybe the wrong OP to do so? With the exception of Priellip, who is being nursed along with hope he will pitch again this year and be 100% in 2024, how much more could you ask for in a draft than we've seen from 2022? Lee is just fine in his first full season. Schobel is looking great. Ortega looks like a stud. So does Ross. Cossetti has a ways to go, but what a debut. And besides Lewis, and Culpepper, almost very other arm has flashed, including Veen as a LHRP who MIGHT turn in to something as a control LH who can get RH out. As good as Cossetti has looked, Nate Baez might be even better with health and some time. He's the same kind of athlete and POTENTIAL bat as prospect Teel, with less experience behind the plate. We are going to have to examine the 2022 draft either after THIS upcoming draft, or at the end of the milb season. And I don't mean to hijack the OP, but I have just been so impressed with what I've seen so far from most of last year's draft that I felt I needed to comment.

BTW, if MLB wants to grow MLB, a couple things they could do is: 1] STOP BLACKOUTS for those who subscribe to the APP. I shouldn't have to be forced to watch the KC broadcast when the Twins play the Royals. They are 4hrs away from Omaha, and I'm NOT buying a car there or visiting a local restaurant. 2] I forget who they have providing the radio version of their casts, but they are always behind, and the signal is often lost. 3] When the MLB network has "REGIONAL GAMES" on their network, QUIT SHOWING games that are East Coast or West Coast. Since when does anyone in the Central Time Zone want to watch a Boston Tampa game vs Twins and Guardians? I know my geography pretty well, and Boston/Tampa is NOT "REGIONAL"! EXIT my soapbox rant to derail the thread.

No insult to ANYONE selected to ANY ALL STAR game. Good for them! Gray deserved it. So did Ryan and Duran. But honestly, while I enjoy my favorite team having players recognized, and dislike those deserving being snubbed, I just don't care. Gray has been there twice, and I hope he does well and enjoys his time there. When I was a kid in the 70's, a teenager and early 20yo in the 80's, I enjoyed both the ALL STAR GAME as well as the NFL PRO BOWL. I even watched the NBA ALL STAR game so I could watch 2-4 Laker greats perform. And I saw some great games, some amazing plays, and I saw some of my favorite players have defining moments at times. But a lot of things have changed. The NFL PRO BOWL is touch football now. Defense has completely disappeared from the NBA ALL STAR GAME. But more than that, it was a struggle when I was younger to watch the Twins and Vikings. Cable TV was in it's infancy. I was able to watch Laker games for a couple decades on cable before TV caught up with the NFL. Even then, for YEARS, the Vikings were 57.0 WNAX out of Yangton SD, with a few games on TV. The Twins were the same radio station, DECADES, except for trips to SD to see family where I could catch games, UNTIL the internet blossomed and streaming became available. And that's been what, 10yrs now? All of the changes is how the games are played, combined with greater access, all of the "reward" games just don't mean the same to me any longer. I haven't watched a single one in years now. I'm almost happy that Duran and Lewis are not in the game for an extra rest. I almost hope Gray declines for whatever reason, to get extra rest as well, even though I'd NEVER deny an opportunity to have fun and enjoy the reward. But as a fan, I'm just a fan of the reward games any longer.

Great work as always! But I actually prefer the monthly awards as some of the "cold" performers for the week were actually part of the top choices for the month of June, LOL. I've always believed, and stated, I thought Wichita was going to have the toughest season this year. Despite some very good players there, there was a talent gap between AAA and A ball to begin the year. Unfortunately for them, both Keirsey and Severino are ready for AAA and should be there soon, if not tomorrow. There's room for Severino, but less room for Keirsey, but he shouldn't be held back or penalized. Room CAN BE MADE for him, and should be, in a variety of ways, but I'm not going down that path yet again right now. But the Kernals have got to have one of the youngest teams in all of A+ ball. Schobel might be ready, but almost everyone else needs time. Might be a rough 2nd half for Wichita. I'm surprised by Raya moving up this soon. Borderline shocked. I thought he'd finish at CR and slowly increase his IP there the rest of the season. Other than his last last start, he's been dominate. Very young still, and not even allowed to throw in 2020, when drafted, a couple mild shoulder twinges, they've been cautious with his development. At 6' 1" and a listed 170lbs, I'm sure he's growing in to his body and much bigger than that at this time. Milb tends to display "signing size" for some time, seldom if ever updating such. Clearly, the Twins believe his stuff is ready for AA and they can continue to monitor his IP while challenging him at the higher level. I think the idea remains the same, however, 3-4 IP at a time with the idea of reaching 4-5 IP per turn at some point, building him up without burning him out. Surprised as hell, but loving it. Also heard Martin has been promoted to the Saints, building on his 2yrs at AA and his 2022 AFL, having concluded his initial "low A rehab" assignment. Who he replaces I haven't heard. And where does this leave room for a Keirsey promotion? Is the FO going to consider getting serious about change soon?

Crazy good month for so many bats across the system! Honestly, many months, the HR list would make a pretty good top 5. I'm really hoping Carmago has zero need to see MLB this year so he can keep polishing his skills and his bat, especially the K area. I think he's actually turning in to a ML catcher. Tremdous to see E Rodriguez get cranked up! Soularie finally getting going is a surprise. Can he keep it going? Really hoping Schobel gets to AA before the season is done. I know Keirsey is older than we'd like, but injuries and the lost 2020 held him back. I think he's a late bloomer who has a chance to be a ML OF. Now, he might just be a 4th OF and PR, BUT, being LF with defense and speed might help him be a little more than that, sort of a 3 1/2 OF who can fill in at all 3 spots and help at the top and bottom of the order. He needs to be at AAA SOON. But it's crowded up there until or unless a move is made somewhere. But he shouldn't be held back just because of St Paul depth. I have nothing to say about Wallner that hasn't already been said. It's hard right now to see room for Stevenson or Williams at the ML level. Injuries, or changes in the Twins roster, might allow a shot for either, or both. I have no illusions that Stevenson is going to be a starting ML OF. But could he work with Taylor in CF in a quasi-platoon? Maybe. But first, there would have to be room on the 40 man, much less the 26 man. Williams, on the other hand, is a 26yo who isn't exactly ancient, and is putting together back to back really good years. I CAN see a scenario where he plays 1B, a little DH, and Kirilloff gets more OF time. But we're right back to the roster crunch scenario again unless changes happen. Interesting that if this was 2022, there'd be room for these guys. If it was 3 or 4yrs ago, there'd be room for some of these guys. But right now, there is no clear path.

And for goodness sake, get Keirsey up to AAA. I know they are loaded in the OF, but he's just too good for the AA level and not getting any younger. Best start of the season for Travis Adams?

Not sure I agree the Twins aren't interested in HS position players, especially ones as highly regarded as we see in this year's top 5. I mean, Lewis was their 1st ever pick and they gambled on the "helium" pick of Cavaco. So why wouldn't they go after a top HS player? I'm not convinced Lowder is the better prospect over Dollander. He might be "safer", while still having real upside if he gets that slider down, or perhaps changes it to a sweeper. But while Dollander might seem more risky after slipping in 2023, I think he may have more upside. I don't see any scenario where Skenes slides to #5. That leaves Langford, or one of the HS bats. I believe that's where they go. But if the arms are just too tempting to pass on I'll only hope they make the right choice, because I'm really not sure which one that is.

Nothing changes unless something changes. Great pitching in the series. Duran was human today.

Buxton is an AMAZING athlete! He's one of the best CF I've ever seen! In roughly 50yrs of watching and following and loving the Twins through thick and thin, he and Pucket are the most dynamic players in Twins history. I have LOVED watching him in CF. I LOVE watching him on the basepaths! While he seems to run almost in a clumsy fashion as his legs almost can't keep up with his speed, it's a site to behold as he legs out doubles and triples. And for his career, he's amongst the best in SB%. It's a baseball tragedy that his body is betraying all of his talent. It's crazy to me that all time great Oliva is revered, despite his knees betraying what he might have been, and yet Buck is being almost vilified for not having knees that could allow him to be what he might/could have been. I believe the 2023 "rest" as a DH might allow his knees to rest enough, recover enough, that we might still see him as a part time CF in the future. Especially if we're talking post season appearances. I am still saddened that despite therapy, blood placement procedures, some question his dedication to his profession, and the Twins, as a couple days off for the All Star break would have made a difference. There remains a chance his knee(s) will allow him to be at least a part time CF. But if he does become a full time DH, is that a bad thing? I understand it limits your roster. But did anyone have a problem when Chilli Davis was our DH? Did anyone object to Cruz as our DH? And now, the roster is 26, not 25. (I still want the 28 man roster during covid that makes so much sense in today's game). I DONT like a full time DH. I want a complete and deep roster where the DH is a rotating spot. But there are times when you have a BAT to be said DH where it's OK and special. For Twins history, we again look at Davis, Cruz, and even Thome. IF Byron is destined to be a DH, why can't he be special enough to be a special one? I know it makes the FO and the rest of the roster having to make adjustments, and that's on the fly a bit, and stinks, but WHAT IF? As he talked about in the video provided, it's about adjustments. Lord knows he wants to be in CF, and the Twins want the same. But it just might not happen. His body just might not allow him to do so. But WHAT IF he can do a "Cruz" and find a way as a still tremdous athlete to stay warm and engage and just be a batter? To be 100% honest, his BA, OB% ,and SLG% have always wavered. Some of that is due to injury, and some of that is due to general streakiness, which is just Buxton. I DO THINK he's a better HITTER than his career numbers. Coaching or attitude, he's got enough life in his bat that if he would stop pulling his head so much, reign in his swing a bit more, he'd start driving more singles and doubles while stilling have massive HR power. Or should I be his personal hitting coach as it seems so obvious? And even with bad knees, he can still run in bursts. He can still leg out doubles and triples, score a run when nobody else should, and even steal a key base here and there to maybe make a difference. But the WHOLE key is Byron not only ACCEPTING his role as a DH, mentally and physically, but having the hitting coach(s) helping him adjust to that role. It's "iffy" at this point. But man, with his talent, he could be AMAZING as a DH, even if he remains a streaky hitter.

Wasn't able to watch the game due to work today. Only got to follow the box/GameDay. Maybe that's a good thing as I don't know if I would have been excited watching Ober, Jax, and Duran...OR...had heartburn and cussed a bunch watch the offense after the explosion of yesterday. Really bummed out by both Ober and Rocco though. A shutout through 7 with only 2 hits, no BB, 8 K's, and only 85 pitches. What a bum and lousy call by the manager! Rocco should be gone! [SERIOUS SARCASM ALERT!! LOL) On a serious note, I have always been so impressed by how the team handled Ober in 2021, nurturing him along, developing him, building him up, and not over extending him. ALSO, HUGE CREDIT for helping him refine his delivery. His length offered up issues of staying healthy and feeling "beat up" after starts previously in his career. I think it's safe now to look back at his abdominal/hernia/whatever injury in 2022 and realize it was just a SOMETHING that happened and not a return of past injuries he suffered in his milb career. He was good in 2021. He was good early in 2022 pre-injury, probably even better on his return, and keeps being good to great here in 2023. I agree with a previous poster that I'm not sure he and Ryan aren't our top 2, with no disrespect to the great Gray, who has admitted frustration that despite his great numbers, he still hasn't been as good as he thinks he should be. And Lopez has been good to great most every time out, to be fair. All of his underlying numbers indicate as much. He...and Gray to a degree...are suffering from what I refer to loosely as "Radke disease". It's rather tongue in cheek as Radke is an All Time Great Twins pitcher. But there were times when he had that ONE INNING issue...usually early in games...where he just wasn't settled. This excellent rotation is even better if Lopez and Gray can work through that "hump" they seem to encounter some games. I want to diverge from the game thread to make a couple comments: 1] Despite being a single voice amongst the cacophony of many who have spoken out about necessary changes in the OF corners, I've never said Gallo and Kepler were bad people or lousy ballplayers. I want to make that clear. Kepler made a great defensive play today that saved the game. He's always been a great defensive OF. Would Wallner have made that play? We don't know. He actually has the athleticism, speed/range to do so. But he's lacking some of the tracking skills, or so it seems at this point, that Kepler has. But the physical skills are there to be better and MAYBE make that same play as he'd probably beat Kepler in a sprint. But then again, if the offense was better, even if he didn't make that same play, would it have lost this game if the offense produced more than a single run? Pretty much ditto for Gallo. I fully accept Gallo as a streaky hitter who will almost always hit around .200, but with a decent OB%, and tremendous power that can change a game. And he was the #1 hero today, despite the great pitching. But let's be honest, while celebrating today's win, up until this past week, he's been aweful for a good month since coming off the IL. Being a streaky hitter is one thing. Stinking for a month is a different story. 2] I NEVER root against Kepler or Gallo. They are part of my favorite team and I root for them to be productive each and every game and each and every AB. And both of them have had moments the past week or so that we haven't seen recently. But a couple good plays, a couple big hits, shouldn't be allowed to downplay past production, or the lack of. When we step back and look at reality, a few big hits, or HR, or a good play doesn't erase downward trends. Isn't it very possible Wallner, or maybe Larnach, wouldn't have made a good play? Or maybe crushed the same HR today? Or had a key hit, double, or HR in previous games recently? I AM NOT BEING A DOWNER. I LOVE what Ober, Jax, and Duran did today. I LOVE that Gallo brought the win today, and that Kepler has been "hotter" recently. I CELEBRATE a great win today! I HOPE that the players only meeting will lead to changes and greater win totals for a team that is, frankly, vastly underperforming based on talent and potential. Scoring 3 or fewer runs in almost exactly half the games played so far is not only unacceptable, but very unlike a traditional Twins team where pitching has always been the issue for a decade now. GREAT WIN! I'm happy! I'm just concerned the FO will sit back on their haunches and look at a FEW plays and a FEW AB and applaud themselves and think staying status quo is just fine and dandy. And that's just unacceptable. With ANY kind of average offense with the mix of veteran and prospect talent on this team, they should be at least average in run production. If they were, they'd be running away with the ALC and be at least 10 games above .500. Generally, I like our FO for many reasons. I don't like their stubbornness! I get we have most of a month to make decisions before the trade deadline. But I'm not sure anyone should bet on a players only meeting to see an increased offensive production from Kepler, maybe Gallo, vs giving a prospect like Wallner a real shot. Maybe Larnach again, despite Gallo suddenly coming alive again. The WORST THING the FO can do at this point is remain "in love" with players who don't produce but have a few good games. Great win! Ober is very good. Go Twins!

Personally, I see the entire OP and discussion as very Jekyl and Hyde in approach. Are we saying they can't develop hitting at the ML level? Are we saying they aren't doing so at the milb level? Are we saying they can't do either? Feels really hit and miss to me. They helped Arraez. Julien, Miranda, Lewis, and Kirilloff actually look like potentially very good hitters, given Miranda has slid and needed a re-set. But I sure haven't given up on Miranda just yet. Jeffers has shown improvement. Wallner is a question mark due to lack of opportunity, but has looked ready for more at the ML level and has destroyed milb pitching for a couple of years now. I'm uncertain about Larnach right now, but I'd also like to see him get a real run to prove what he might become. Even with his struggles, his numbers are mostly the same as veterans Gallo and Kepler. Do the Twins take the blame for the continued downfall of Gallo and Kepler? Opinion seems to suggest that, to a degree at least. And I don't think I buy that. Do I think there needs to be a change in approach at the ML level, including probably the hitting coach(s)? Absolutely. And we can debate all day long about Rooker, Cavaco, and Sabato as bad draft selections that haven't turned out. Stinks, but it happens. But we have guys who actually have talent, show potential, and have improved, at the ML level and in the minors, including names already listed. So draft choices who don't work out are bad selections, or a failure to develop? It can't be both. I object to Martin being ruined by the Twins. He went from college to a missed season, and then straight to AA. They tried to make adjustments for some more power...as all teams do...and it didn't work as intended. So he/they went back to more of what he used to do and he finished 2022 better and had a great AFL. He was brought to ST for a good look-see, but then got hurt. The injury setback is no more the Twins fault than it is Martin's. Again, I agree a general approach philosophy and coaching change is a must to happen going forward at the ML level. But even still, I have a hard time believing the coaching staff has done something to make Buxton and Correa, talented veteran star players, somehow worse. If we're talking "development" in regard to prospects, I see no evidence of poor coaching. If we're talking problems at the ML level, I agree.

My favorite draft selection from 2020 then, and now. From day 1 something just said "potential steal" to me. I'm as anxious as anyone to see him start tossing 5-6 innings per. But I'm OK that they are nurturing him a brining him along slowly. HS arms are the most unpredictable of prospects, for many reasons. Despite a couple shoulder flare-ups, never heard as much as a whisper that there was anything to be concerned about. It feels more Ike a young kid still growing in to his body, and they want to let that happen naturally and not place unnecessary strain at this point. And I'm OK with that. Hopefully he starts running more 4-5 IP games the second half. But I like the idea of staying in the rotation for the full season, on limited innings, working on refining his stuff, rather than pushing for IP and then shutting him down early. Keep working with him, get the full season out of him, let him build up, go to instructs, have a good offseason, and get ready for more in 2024. I've got a lot of hope for this kid.

Might not stick at SS, might not have the arm for 3B. And there is at least some question about pop/power and how much...or little...he might have. Wonderful bat though, but maybe a 2B? Absolutely not a choice for the Twins. Correa, Miranda, Lewis, Lee, Julien, Severino, Ross, Schobel, Miller, Ortega, and others all say NO, grab someone at 5 with STUD potential.

I wouldn't be upset if they grabbed Teel. It's a huge upside pick. A quality catcher who can hit, with a LH bat, seemingly good contact skills, a plus arm, and power. And a much better athlete than normal for the position. He might end up working with Jeffers in 2yrs and form a hell of a combo, right as Vazquez's deal expires. It's hard to find 2 way catchers like him. So why do I give pause? Am I just feeling paranoid? I 100% understand that the front of this draft is LOADED. But even then, why isn't Teel in more discussion as a top 5 or 6 pick? I mean, again, offensive, athletic, strong armed catchers with a lefty bat don't grow on trees! Is it simply the depth at the top of the 1st round? Is it a question that his offensive explosion this year is questioned by some, even though he was still very good the year before? Is there some concern he might not stick at catcher despite his arm and athleticism and might end up an average 1B or OF? He excites me but makes me nervous. Everything I hear and read seems to indicate Langford and Clark are about as "can't miss" as you can get, while also filling an organizational/team need. I just hope the FO drafts one of those 2 and doesn't try to overthink this one.

Echoing complete NO on Wilson. IF he can stick at SS, his bat might end up Arraez like, but the BB have to rise, and he needs at least a little more pop so ML hitters don't overwhelm him. To me he's a late 1st rounder based on amazing bat to ball skills, maybe even a 2nd rounder. There's just not enough projection there for a pick this high. It's still Clark or Langford, maybe, and that's the smart move. Unless they just love and believe in Teel or either of the second 2 pitching options. Keep it smart and simple, grab the best prospect at 5 and don't play it cute!

I won't pretend to be an expert, but I think power is not just the physical ability to hit a ball hard, but it's also partially experience and confidence. As pointed out, he's missed just a ton of time the last couple of years. The fact that his K and BB numbers have improved so much indicate growth as a hitter. Now, what I think needs to happen, is the recognition of a ball to drive vs maybe being "too cautious or selective" in his AB. Combined with that is the "feel" and confidence of "I got this"! To me its a bit of a chicken and egg scenario. The more you hit, and hit hard, the greater your confidence. The more you feel confident, the more you are aggressive and barrell up on a ball and drive it. To me, he's on the right path. It's just getting enough time and experience to put it all together.

There's a couple different guys I'd still be happy with, but for me it's Clark or Langford all the way. Not only 2 of the consensus top 5 talents available, but a seeming fit for the system as a whole as well. Can definitely see Langford slipping simply by various rumors, conjectures, and past draft surprises.