Jeremy Nygaard

Perhaps a relative of Milwaukee's mascot...

Tom Stuifbergen heading from FM to New Britain.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1829-Twins-Minor-League-Report-(6-3)-Vote-for-Pedro

The only Twins news of the days was the purchasing of OF Clete Thomas’s contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, LRP Tyler Robertson was designated for assignment. LRP Blake Martin was promoted from New Britain to take fill Robertson’s lefty role in Rochester’s bullpen. INF Joel Licon was summoned from Extended Spring Training to Cedar Rapids to help while SS Niko Goodrum recovers from yesterday’s concussion. All the moves made today are reflected here. In draft news, Oklahoma’s Jonathan Gray tested positive for Adderall, a common ADHD medicine as well as something used for weight loss. Many professional players have prescriptions for the drug, which makes it legal; Gray did not “go through the right procedures” to be using it. When asked whether it was an issue, a Twins source said he “won’t speculate… (but) obviously (its) an issue. (We) have to get all the facts.” At the very least, Jonathan Gray made (or has been making) a poor decision and even though it might not make him tumble down draft boards, it will certainly affect his bottom line. (My two cents: he still doesn’t fall to the Twins.) On a happier note, if you’re a fan of raspberries and Byron Buxton, read this post by Brad Swanson. ROCHESTER RED WINGS 9, CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS 1 Box Score Pedro Hernandez was much better tonight than he was on his last outing (5/29: 3.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R). Hernandez threw 94 pitches tonight. The result was promising: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, BB, 6 K, HR. Though Hernandez has struggled in the major leagues, he’s still young and has a future. That might be taking over Brian Duensing’s role in a couple of years, but a greater role than anyone anticipated when he was acquired (with Eduardo Escobar) for Francisco Liriano. [ATTACH=CONFIG]4288[/ATTACH] Michael Tonkin recorded six outs, without allowing a hit (or an inherited runner to score). He struck out three. Smart money says we see Tonkin at Target Field in September. The firepower from Rochester’s early season – Oswaldo Arcia and Chris Colabello – was back together for the first time tonight, but the offensive story of the game was a guy that wasn’t even in the country at the beginning of the season: Deibinson Romero. Tonight, Romero went 3-for-5. He hit two home runs and drove in five runs. Once rated as high as the #13 prospect in the organization by Baseball American (in 2007) and noted for his defense, Romero spent a season on the 40-man before being removed. It’s completely believable to think Romero could be involved in the Twins next roster move. (Though he’s a right-handed bat, he wouldn’t be a great platoon partner with Trevor Plouffe, but could be given a shot if Plouffe’s calf injury doesn’t go away. Oswaldo Arcia, Chris Colabello and Doug Bernier all had two hits and drove in a run. Tomorrow night at 6:05pm ET, Kyle Gibson (4-5, 3.38) will be making his last start in Rochester. (I’m kidding, obviously. The Twins are waiting to bring him up until mid-2015.) NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS – OFF DAY D.J. Baxendale (0-1, 13.50) makes the start tomorrow. He looks to recover from a poor AA debut. First pitch at Richmond is scheduled for 6:35pm ET. FORT MYERS MIRACLE 4, BREVARD COUNTY MANATEES 6 Box Score In Matt Tomshaw’s first high-A start last week, he was very successful. He allowed only two hits and one run in six innings. Tonight was not as successful. Though he still made it six innings, he allowed four runs on eight hits. He struck out five. Adrian Salcedo and Jose Gonzalez both allowed runs too, but combined to strike out five in three innings. Angel Morales is doing everything he can to finally escape Fort Myers. Tonight he was 3-for-4. He is 17-for-34 (.500) in his last ten games. He added a double tonight. Levi Michael went 2-for-3 with a double. Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario both had RBI doubles. Jason Wheeler will look to continue his undefeated season (5-0, 3.94) tomorrow at 7:05 pm ET against Brevard County. CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS 10, KANE COUNTY COUGARS x Box Score The Kernels strung together two well-timed innings to come-from-behind and beat the Cougars. The 5-run 6th inning came mainly as a result of taking five walks and seeing a wild pitch. Only two hits occurred: a double by Dalton Hicks and a single by J.D. Williams The 5-run 7th inning was a little more traditional, though the Kernels were aided by a throwing error and two more walks. All told, the Kernels only totaled eight hits, but drew 10 walks. Williams was 1-for-6, but drove in three runs. Candido Pimentel, Travis Harrison and Tyler Grimes all had two hits. Joel Licon, in his low-A debut, went 0-for-2 but walked twice and scored two runs. He also drove in a run and committed two errors at second base. Harrison (11) and Pimentel (8) also had errors. Mason Melotakis picked up his fifth win on the year. He allowed four runs (two earned) in five innings. He walked five, struck out two and allowed seven hits. Not a great line by any means. Many people continue to believe his future is in the bullpen. Manuel Soliman (four strikeouts) and Steven Gruver (two strikeouts) each pitched two innings. Jake Mauer was ejected for arguing a safe/out call at 3rd base. Allegedly, it was the way he said, “Aw, shucks.” Byron Buxton (thumb) and Niko Goodrum (concussed) both missed today’s game. The Kernels have an off-day tomorrow.

I don't think it's so much that he's on Adderall. It's that he didn't jump through the necessary hoops (go to the doctor and get a prescription) to legally possess the drug. That's what I've been told anyway.

Tough crowd!

Apparently Gray tested positive for a banned stimulant at pre-draft testing. No suspension, but will face additional tests.

I can promise it will be better in the future. I, for instance, have learned now how to use a microphone and won't keep my phone on speaker anymore. It was a trial, but let's hope it gets Seth out of "podcast retirement".

Blake Martin was added to Rochester's roster when Robertson was DFA'd. My opinion is that Martin has been hanging by a thread, so if Robertson cleared waivers, he (Martin) might just get released. He has added some value as a spot-starter, but I have a hard time seeing him make it through any series of organizational moves.

Scouting reports after last season were that his changeup was a plus pitch. I think his fastball is high 80s. You don't have to trust the author (me), but things that aren't true never make it by the editor (Seth).

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1818-2013-MLB-Draft-Preview-What-to-Expect-From-The-Minnesota-Twins

As the draft quickly approaches, we’ve spent a lot of time discussing the choices the Twins have with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Today, we’re going to look at what you can expect to happen in the first ten rounds. [ATTACH=CONFIG]4270[/ATTACH] Over the last three drafts, the Twins have selected 35 players in the Top 10 rounds. Here’s how those picks break down: College right-handed pitchers: 10 (1, 1s, 2, 2, 4, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10) College left-handed pitchers: 7 (2, 3, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10) Prep outfielders: 3 (1, 4, 6) College shortstops: 3 (1, 5, 9) College “corners”: 3 (3, 8, 9) *value in bat, position TBD (includes unsigned Mazzilli) Prep right-handed pitchers: 2 (1s, 1s) Prep shortstops: 2 (2, 10) *maybe should be labeled “prep athletes” Prep “corners”: 1 (1s) College outfielders: 1 (5) Prep left-handed pitchers: 1 (6) Prep catchers: 1 (7) College catchers: 1 (9) The Twins have been equipped with five extra choices in rounds one and two over the last two years, a luxury they won’t have this year. Those additional picks have been extra arms or, in Travis Harrison’s case, the only prep with his value tied exclusively to his bat in the last three years. Though the Twins have only used two Top 10 selections on catchers in the last three years, they used a 12th-round pick on a college catcher in the odd year. They’re admittedly looking for more catching, so expect to see a catcher selected higher than in previous years. (GUESS: Twins pop a catcher somewhere in the rounds 4-6.) The category of college shortstops is tied for third most-represented on the list. Unfortunately, the Twins haven’t gotten great value there. Levi Michael was likely viewed as the best-available and that was why he came off the board. (GUESS: There isn’t a lot of SS depth in the system or in this draft, so if there is a “senior sign” that the Twins believe in, taking one in round 6-9 wouldn’t be a shock.) It could be tied into the last category, but prep shortstops are different. The Twins have a history of adding a prep shortstop in the Top 15 (if not Top 10) rounds. It seems they’ll sacrifice bat for a likeliness to stick at shortstop. (GUESS: If they find a guy they like, they could move early. If not, expect them to take a chance after round 10, especially if they’ve used a pick on a college shortstop already.) College “corners” and even the lone college outfielder (Nate Roberts) happen about once a year. (GUESS: It could happen at any time in the first ten rounds, maybe twice. One name to keep an eye on early on Day 2 is Georgia Tech OF/1B Daniel Palka.) The Twins have always seemed to have a love-affair for toolsy prep outfielders. The truth is, though, that they haven’t taken a ton of them, they’ve just had a lot of success with them when they do. (GUESS: Like prep pitchers, they do it early. There is a chance the Twins take an athlete that falls with the likelihood they add a CF sometime on Day 2. Should be noted, as well, that the Twins only “overslot” sign after Round 10 was a prep CF.) Taking a prep right-hander is rare. But when it’s happened, it’s happened early. Expect the same this year. (GUESS: Kohl Stewart at 4 would qualify as early.) The Twins have only selected on prep lefty in the Top 10 rounds and that pick turned up to have shoulder issues before signing. He was also one of a handful of Puerto Ricans drafted over the last three years. The Twins typically wouldn’t be counted on to take a prep lefty, but this year has more depth in the category than most years. (GUESS: They’ll come off the board early, so if it hasn’t happened by round 3, don’t count on it.) College pitchers – both left- and right-handed – dominate the Twins draft board over the last three years. Nearly half of the Top 10 round picks have been pitchers and that makes sense. Last year, eight of the first 13 picks were pitchers. This year could be very similar. (GUESS: Expect the Twins to go to the pitching well early and often. Drafting six pitchers total in the first ten rounds seems about right, but after drafting so many lefties recently, there is less urgency to add as many this year. If two lefties come off the board in the top 10 rounds, that would make sense.) Round-by-round expectations: Round 1 – There is some intrigue left because of the uncertainty before them, but (as of today) prep RHP Kohl Stewart is the pick. Round 2 – If the pick is Stewart in Round 1, it would surprise me if they turned around and took a prep lefty here. With that being said, there will be some good value here. Names such as Blake Taylor (CA) and Hunter Green (KY) are names that could be in the discussion. A more likely scenario would see a college arm come off of the board. Best available would be the way to go, especially if one falls, but names that are in play are Tom Windle (Minnesota), Kent Emanuel (North Carolina) and Dillon Overton (Oklahoma). The other scenario would be a position player dropping into the Twins lap. It’s impossible to predict who it could be, but the Twins are enamored with Aaron Judge’s power (Fresno State), though he’s upped his draft stock as of late. Round 3 and Round 4 – Some names worth remembering here are Stephen Tarpley (LHP, Scottsdale JC), Cody Reed (LHP NW Miss. JC), Corey Littrell (LHP, Kentucky) and D.J. Snelton (LHP, Minnesota). If the Twins want to take another shot on a college reliever A.J. Vanegas (RHP, Stanford) could be an intriguing name. Slowed by injuries, Vanegas still offers a high-90s fastball and very good slider. This could also be the time you also see a prep shortstop (or other prep athlete) come off the board, though it’s a danger-zone for those with signability questions. Round 5 through Round 7 – This is the range the Twins could very easily be considering a catcher. Brian Navaretto (FL) and Rene Melendez (PR) are two preps that fit the defensive profile. Mississippi State SS Adam Frazier would immediately become a Gardenhire favorite. If the Twins go the prep SS route here, Stephen Alemais (a personal favorite of mine) would make sense. David Gates (RHP, Howard JC) and Taylor Williams (RHP, Kent State) are names that could be in the mix here. Round 8 through Round 10 – If the Twins have passed on outfielders to this point, someone like Adam Engel (Louisville) would be a great choice. Ryan Cordell (Liberty) would also make sense. There are literally hundreds of pitchers that could be under consideration for these picks. The baseball draft is far more unpredictable than either the football or basketball draft simply because of the volume of guys that are selected. The front office is hard at work setting their draft board, which will consist of approximately 900 names. (Yes, that’s less than will be selected over the 40 rounds. No, they’re not worried they’ll run out of names.) It will be much earlier in the draft than you’d anticipate where players are getting drafted that aren’t even on the Twins board. (I believe I was told it happened in the 3rd round last year.) Once the draft is complete – and the organization has 40 more players – they will begin signing them. Of course, not all will sign (not all will even be offered contracts), but when the dust clears on July 15, expect the Twins to have signed somewhere between 22 and 26 players. --- If you haven't had enough draft talk yet, go find last week's Gleeman and the Geek podcast. I also talked draft with Fanatic Jack at BlogTalkRadio last Monday. There's more draft talk coming: The Talk2Contact crew will be running their draft preview early next week. And if you're really crazy and can't get enough, I'll be joining the BlueJaysPlus podcast tomorrow night.

All rosters are updated - including the DSL affiliate, which starts their season this morning.

Just a theory, but I'm guessing he probably had a 6/1 opt-out and since it's clear he wouldn't be in the majors, they reached a mutual agreement to part ways. I doubt the Twins had to pay any sort of injury settlement.

They have an allotment greater than what they typically spend, so it's more likely that they trade some away than add more, especially when teams that like to spend don't have it available. It's an asset that they should use and I'm not opposed to it being used as a trade chip.

I'd be curious to see a list of names of players that were drafted BEFORE the guys that were drafted 6-10. I'd bet those guys were passed on for "more proven" players.

When you're potentially giving someone millions of dollars, health issues should be mentioned. His adjustment to minor-league ball could be more difficult. It sounds as though the Twins have no concerns, but I'm not sure that would be the case with every team.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1801-Twins-MLB-Draft-Profile-Kohl-Stewart-RHP

Who IS This Guy? Young Texan Kohl Stewart (6’ 3, 195) is widely considered the top prep pitcher in the nation. Kohl Stewart is also, according to ESPN, the 6th best high-school quarterback in the nation and is committed to Texas A&M. Stewart is equipped with a mid-90s fastball (an improvement over last summer) and a “nasty” slider. The mid-80s slider projects as – if it’s not already – a plus pitch. It’s a legitimate strikeout pitch. He’s shown flashes of being able to throw a low-80s curveball and throws an occasional change-up as well. Of course, he’s able to do all of this despite splitting his time between baseball and football. He stands to show improvement as he shifts his focus to strictly baseball. A scouting director recently told Baseball America that "Stewart's pure stuff is as good as [Appel’s and Gray’s], and he's more athletic than they are." Scouts also believe that Stewart is more advanced than Jameson Taillon was at the same point in his career (when the Pirates actually claimed they preferred Taillon over Bryce Harper). Though not as big, Stewart profiles similar to Archie Bradley, a Diamondbacks draft pick in 2011, who needed $5 million to be bought out of his football commitment to Oklahoma. (Bradley signed a two-sport contract, which can be paid over five years; Stewart could too, but the entire bonus would count against this year's draft pool.) The ironic part is, as a quarterback, the ESPN football scouting report mentions twice that Stewart’s arm is “not elite”. It should also be mentioned that Stewart is a Type 1 diabetic. He is represented by Frontline Sports Management’s Darek Braunecker. Braunecker, a former MiLB pitcher, also represents Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett and prospective 1st rounder Trey Ball. You can follow him on twitter: @KohlStewart1. [ATTACH=CONFIG]4204[/ATTACH] www.perfectgame.org Who Could He Be? Stewart could be a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter. But the track record of right-handed prep pitchers is limited, so making this selection at number four is not without risk. Since 2000, only seven prep right-handers have gone in the top 5. Dylan Bundy, Baltimore, 4th overall, 2011 Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh, 2nd overall, 2010 Matt Hobgood, Baltimore, 5th overall, 2009 Mark Rogers, Milwaukee, 5th overall, 2004 Chris Gruler, Cincinnati, 3rd overall, 2002 Clint Everts, Montreal, 5th overall, 2002 Gavin Floyd, Philadelphia, 4th overall, 2001 Gavin Floyd has made 187 career major-league starts. The rest of that list has made a combined nine (all by Mark Rogers). Obviously, though, both Bundy (who’s currently been shut down to rest an ailing elbow) and Taillon (who’s pitching well in AA) are two of the highest-ranked pitching prospects in baseball. So while there is risk, there is also the chance for a very, very high reward. How Soon Could He Be Playing In Target Field? It would be unfair to compare any prep pitcher to Bundy, but Taillon and Bradley are much better comparisons. Unlike those two, though, Stewart would have the opportunity to get significant professional experience under his belt in 2013. If the Twins drafted Stewart, he would likely start with the GCL Twins and finish his year in Elizabethton. Next season (2014) would likely start a little later, but be spent in Cedar Rapids. He would probably start in Fort Myers – and finish in New Britain – in 2015 before returning to New Britain in 2016 and be a candidate for a mid-season promotion. Archie Bradley is currently dismantling AA and if he continues to, he could be in the majors this year. If Stewart was on that accelerated path, it would equate to being ready at some point in 2015. I would error on the side of caution and say that being in the Opening Day rotation in 2017 would be a realistic goal, with his first major league experience coming in the summer of 2016. If The Twins Draft This Guy, They Messed Up Because.... …they didn’t do their homework. If the Twins draft Kohl Stewart, they took the right guy. If the Twins fail to sign Kohl Stewart because of his commitment to college, they screwed it up. They would lose $4.5 million out of this year’s draft pool (but acquire pick #5 in the 2014 draft). If the Twins Draft This Guy, They Nailed It Because…. …they got one of the three pitchers with the highest upside in the draft and, in all likelihood, had to shell out the smallest bonus to lock one of them up. Drafting fourth in what is widely considered to be a three-man draft isn’t ideal, but getting a pitcher with this upside – even with the risk – is like making lemonade out of lemons. --- Just like any other pitcher the Twins may consider, drafting Stewart would be a welcome addition to the organization. Though he is a year or two further away from making a contribution than many fans would prefer, you can’t try to turn the baseball draft into band-aids. At the end of the day, you want to have as much talent in the organization as possible and adding a talent - albeit someone who is a little raw (due to time spent on another sport) and comes with a significant amount of risk – is a giant leap in the right direction. Twins Daily MLB Draft Player Profiles: · Monday, May 20-- Sean Manaea, SP · Tuesday, May 21-- Austin Meadows, OF · Wednesday, May 22-- Trey Ball, OF · Thursday, May 23-- Ryan Stanek, RHP · Friday, May 24-- Clint Frazier, OF · Tuesday, May 28-- Reese McGuire, C · Wednesday, May 29—Braden Shipley, RHP For MLB Draft Day Coverage, make sure you follow @TwinsDaily on Twitter!