I'm with you, really bad feeling about Appel. Even if he is ok I see his ceiling as Luke Hochevar, not terrible but not worth a #1 or #2 overall pick.

Um, Luke Hochevar is actually quite terrible. Luke Hochevar as a ceiling is beyond terrible.

I'd be surprised if Correa signed below slot. In an article on ESPN it said he's a 4.0 GPA student and has committed to University of Miami and is prepared to go that route. On the other hand he does come from a poorer family in Puerto Rico and it would be hard to turn down those millions. He's the guy I think the Twins should draft. He offers a high ceiling similar to Buxton, and even if he has to move to 3B I've heard some people say Sano is a better fit at 1B or corner outfield

If we draft Appel, Buxton, Correa, Gausman, or Zimmer will they become our #2 prospect right away?

No. Buxton might become number 3 or 4, the others lower. The pitchers would be sloting where Gibson slots pretty much, and Correa maybe a tad higher. But it is all subjective This is just not a draft with crazy good talent.

No. Buxton might become number 3 or 4, the others lower.

BA said Buxton would rank above Starling in the Top 100, which would be around 25 (higher with graduation to the pros), their current #2 Joe Benson, ranked at the bottom of the 100. Buxton for sure would be 2. (And I wouldn't be shocked if someone major had him over Sano.) I think the pitchers would all be 2. I think Correa would be in the mix for #2 (with Rosario). But you're right, it's all subjective.

Also, the signing deadline was moved up to mid July this year so anyone that signs should get some time in the minors this year (although they might let some pitchers rest due to high number of college innings).

 

To add to this too: A lot of the deadline deals were worked out earlier, but wouldn't get the approval until the very end. That won't be the case anymore. I think you'll still see some deadline deals, but there will be a lot more higher signings earlier as teams try to set their limits on their earlier picks.

I'd be surprised if Correa signed below slot. In an article on ESPN it said he's a 4.0 GPA student and has committed to University of Miami and is prepared to go that route. On the other hand he does come from a poorer family in Puerto Rico and it would be hard to turn down those millions. He's the guy I think the Twins should draft. He offers a high ceiling similar to Buxton, and even if he has to move to 3B I've heard some people say Sano is a better fit at 1B or corner outfield

"Hey Carlos, it's the Minnesota Twins. It sounds like you're going #6 to the Cubs. It's gonna be tough for them to give you more than $3.25m. We're talking about you at #2. How's $4.2m sound? If you'll agree to that, we'll take you."

 

Probable? Doubt it. Possible? Sure.

I don't like the idea of drafting a pitcher 2nd overall. The injury risk is just too great unless the prospect is off-the-charts in terms of stuff and command. This class doesn't have any of those guys. Keith Law said the other day that he heard Appel was #1 on the Twins' board, for what it's worth.

 

Not being a scout or even having seen them play, I can't really compare Correa and Buxton, but the Twins wouldn't be working Correa out for the second time unless they really liked him. He's significantly younger than Buxton and it's harder to find 3rd basemen than outfielders. I'd like to see one of those guys and then a bunch of pitchers- preferably with upside. Stockpiling finesse college guys like Dean, Lanigan, etc., is just pointless. You can always find a 5th starter. Draft raw high schoolers and teach them how to pitch. That's what they pay the minor league instructors and coaches for.

I know Correa is believed to outgrow SS but I have heard some people think that he can definitely stay at SS. Like I have said before I really hope they draft Correa but I just don't see it happening. I guess I hope they prove me wrong.

Correa outgrowing SS for 3B isn't really too much of a negative. Sano is not going to be there.

Correa outgrowing SS for 3B isn't really too much of a negative. Sano is not going to be there.

Good point.

I was just thinking about how everyone is worried about Appel's "advisor" being Boras. Well what if we draft Appel and then are unable to sign him. What happens?

I was just thinking about how everyone is worried about Appel's "advisor" being Boras. Well what if we draft Appel and then are unable to sign him. What happens?

All the money for that spot is removed from the draft pool and the team receives a compensatory pick next year, I think #3 overall. In other words, not good, because it could prevent the team from signing other picks in this class.

I think it will be Buxton or Correa. And, then they'll take a bunch of #4 arms and won't have any pitching in three years either. I just don't get the obsession with not taking a pitcher. There are about 15 aces on the planet, and maybe 15 "number 1" pitchers after that. What's wrong with taking a pitcher that you are pretty sure is a number 2?

I think it will be Buxton or Correa. And, then they'll take a bunch of #4 arms and won't have any pitching in three years either. I just don't get the obsession with not taking a pitcher. There are about 15 aces on the planet, and maybe 15 "number 1" pitchers after that. What's wrong with taking a pitcher that you are pretty sure is a number 2?

They can get that guy or an even better guy in next years draft

I know nothing about these guys but the ML draft is the biggest crapshoot of any Draft by alot but It has to be a starter IMO...Gausman or Zimmer I think.

I think you're selling Correa's upside short. He's been compared to Tulo. Here's Mayo's write up on him "Defensively, Correa is above average across the board -- range, arm and actions -- leaving no question about his ability to stay at short. He can swing the bat, too, with the potential to be an above-average hitter with outstanding power." Sickels wrote: "Excellent hitter, yet chronologically young for his class. Even if he moves to third base, he's elite. Stellar makeup." Goldstein wrote "A big athletic shortstop with remarkable presence at the plate, quick hands, outstanding bat control and the potential for plus power. He's a plus runner who is graceful in the field and has one of the best infielder arms in the draft. The only concern is with his size, as he’s already 6-foot-3 and approaching 200 pounds, but he has more than enough ability to be a star at third base as well, and one scout believes he'd actually get to the big leagues quicker at that position." Both Sickels and Goldstein rank him #1 in this draft.

 

Additionally, if you could get Correa for 4.5-5 million, you could use that extra million to sign some hard to sign players later in the draft. That said, I'd be happy with any of the names that have been branded about at #2.

Ok... It says no question that he can stay at short and before the paragraph is complete. mayo contradicts that with he's 6 3 and near 200 pounds which suggests a move to 3b.

 

Thats kind of like saying. Without question... I do not believe in reincarnation.... But I did in my past life.

 

Personally I would like to read about a high round SS that projects to actually be a SS. I'm beginning to think they don't exist.

Personally I would like to read about a high round SS that projects to actually be a SS. I'm beginning to think they don't exist.

Deven Marrero, Arizona State. Was considered top-5 for this draft a year ago, but he didn't hit this year. He'll be gone by 32.

Gavin Cecchini, Louisiana HS. Defensive-wizard, no bat. End of first-round or sandwich-round type.

Addison Russell, Florida HS. Lost a lot of weight, so now scouts believe he can stick at SS. Bonus demands (Scott Boras) has him sliding down boards and will probably go late first.

Nolan Fontana, Florida. No standout tools, but can field the position and hit a little bit.

C.J. Hinojosa, Texas HS. Injured his shoulder, considered unsignable.

 

So they exist. There just aren't a lot of them and none of them are great.

I believe Correa is rising up the charts and it wouldn't surprise me if Twins took him. On their board I believe Appel is the clear cut number 1 on their board so if Houston takes Buxton or Correa or Gausman the Twins will take Appel mark that down. Me personally the abuse at Stanford scares me so on my board I have Gausman ahead of Appel on my board. I have Buxton slightly ahead of Correa as best available followed by Gausman and Appel. I truly believe one of these 4 will be a Twin tommorrow night. Buxton, Correa, Gausman, and Appel. To be honest I would have no problem with any of them and think each of them can help the Twins win in the future.

Thsi is Sunday morning and will do a top 10 today and Tommorrow and i request everyone do the same.

 

1. Houston Astros- Mark Appel SP Stanford

2. Minnesota Twins- Carlos Correa SS Puerto Rico

3. Seattle Mariners- Byron Buxton OF HS Georgia

4. Baltimore Orioles- Kevin Gausman SP LSU

5. Kansas City Royals- Mike Zunino C Miami

6. Chicago Cubs- Albert Almora OF HS Florida

7. San Diego Padres- Kyle Zimmer SP San Francisco

8. Pittsburgh Pirates- Devin Marrero SS Arizona State

9. Miami Marlins- Courtney Hawkins OF HS Texas

10. Colorado Rockies- David Dahl OF HS Alabama

1. Houston Astros - Mark Appel SP Stanford

2. Minnesota Twins - Byron Buxton OF HS Georgia

3. Seattle Mariners - Carlos Correa SS Puerto Rico

4. Baltimore Orioles - Kevin Gausman SP LSU

5. Kansas City Royals - Kyle Zimmer SP San Francisco

6. Chicago Cubs - Albert Almora - OF - HS Florida

7. San Diego Padres - Max Fried SP HS California

8. Pittsburgh Pirates - Mike Zunino C Florida

9. Miami Marlins - Courtney Hawkins OF HS Texas

10. Colorado Rockies - David Dahl - OF HS Alabama

I do prefer Gausman to Appel, due to the ridiculous way Stanford coaches treat their pitchers....If it was me, I'd have Gausman, Buxton, and Correa in my top three. Not having seen any of them play kind of makes it tough to really choose. But given that you need 5 starters and 7 bullpen arms, I'd probably go arm. That said, when the Strib writers write a story about not taking Adam Johnson again....I'm thinking it is a hitter.

I just don't get the obsession with not taking a pitcher. There are about 15 aces on the planet, and maybe 15 "number 1" pitchers after that. What's wrong with taking a pitcher that you are pretty sure is a number 2?

What's wrong with taking a potential all star SS or OF? Those are quite scarce as well.

I think I might be just as interested if not more interested in who the Twins take at #32 and #42. I know pretty much everyone believes #32 will be Mitch Brown but I am still excited to see what happens.

As of right now (about 5:30 EDT Sunday), it is almost official that the Astros are selecting Mark Appel. The Twins are on the clock...

Jim Bowden just tweeted "According to source the Houston Astros are expected to select Stanford RHP Mark Appel with the first over all selection in tomorrows draft." so I would expect the choice to be between Buxton and Correa and possibly Gausman. I expect the Twins to take Buxton though.

What's wrong with taking a potential all star SS or OF? Those are quite scarce as well.

You don't need 5 of them, right? Nothing is wrong with the decision, but that's not the point most people are making. They are basically saying, don't take a number 2 pitcher, no matter what. I will also state that Buxton is super raw, so he won't even sniff the majors while Mauer is still really good. They are also completely devoid of pitchers that even look to be as good as number 2 pitchers right now, think about that. Their entire minor league system doesn't have a pitcher with the upside of Gausman or Appel. It's kind of hard to fill out a rotation that way.

Thing that we need to keep in mind is there are 50 rounds in this draft and the twins have 6 of the top 100 so it is way important to get those picks right than knitpicking between Buxton, Correa and Gausman. I am fine with any of those 3 the more important thing to me is the 5 other picks they have in the top 100 as they need atleast 2 of them to be major leaguers. The Twins are in a similar situation that the Vikings were in the draft that there are many needs so they need to take the best player available. However between 2, 32, 42 I think 2 of those 3 need to be pitchers so if you go Buxton or Correa at 2 then you need to take pitchers at 32 and 42.

One pitcher can't fill out a rotation. If Gausman was a 100% guaranteed #2 starter who could join the rotation this month, well, that would be difficult to pass up. But he and Zimmer are both fairly raw as college pitchers go. Their ability to maintain velocity with a pro workload is unknown. Over 200 innings, Gausman might be more of a low-90s guy with one good off-speed pitch, making him a #3 or #4 starter at best. The upside is there, but the overall package doesn't overcome the inherent injury risk.

 

I think they will take Correa and then a bunch of pitchers with subsequent picks.

Thsi is Sunday morning and will do a top 10 today and Tommorrow and i request everyone do the same.

 

1. Houston Astros- Mark Appel SP Stanford

2. Minnesota Twins- Carlos Correa SS Puerto Rico

3. Seattle Mariners- Byron Buxton OF HS Georgia

4. Baltimore Orioles- Kevin Gausman SP LSU

5. Kansas City Royals- Mike Zunino C Miami

6. Chicago Cubs- Albert Almora OF HS Florida

7. San Diego Padres- Kyle Zimmer SP San Francisco

8. Pittsburgh Pirates- Devin Marrero SS Arizona State

9. Miami Marlins- Courtney Hawkins OF HS Texas

10. Colorado Rockies- David Dahl OF HS Alabama

I won't pretend to know the players because I don't. I've been reading a little so I will do mine based on What I think the organization will do and what I've read.

 

1. Astro's take Appel... I'm reading that this is a done deal.

 

2. Twins take Gausman... In a draft where every player seems to have question marks? I wonder if there is enough of a BPA difference to ignore the biggest need pitching. I've read that Gausman is the most MLB ready arm in the draft.

 

3. Mariners take Buxton... They have been building their pitching for a little while. They are moving into the offensive phase.

 

4. Orioles take Almora... They have Young Pitching... They have a young SS... Surprise pick of Almora here.

 

5. Royals take Correa... They have organizational strength everywhere. This is a BPA pick.

 

6. Cubs take Zimmer... They need pitching and Pitching Quick... A college Arm makes sense.

 

7. Padres take Marrero... They could use a fast track infielder.

 

8. Pirates take Zunino... Was probably banking on Marrero but Surprised and Happy that Zunino falls to them.

 

9. Marlins take Giolito... After the Cubs... This is the team that will roll the dice on this kid.

 

10. Rockies take Hawkins... Something tells me that Pitching will not be the Rockies Direction.

Houston Appel

Twins Buxton

Seattle Zunino

Balt Gausman

KC Zimmer

Cubs Correa

Padres Fried

Pirates Giolito

Marlins Seager

Rockies Dahl