According to Keith Law's latest mock he has the Twins drafting Buxton but says "There's a late rumor that has them taking right-hander Kevin Gausman and possibly saving a little money to go after some prep righties with their extra picks."

Well, presumably, the reason to go underslot at #2 is so you can spend that money elsewhere. If the Twins don't sign the #2 pick, they lose 6.2m of their spending cap. So, if they drafted Fried with the expectation he'd sign for 4m and then drafted several above slot guys later, that plan would be ruined if they don't sign Fried. If they're going underslot just to save the Pohlad's some money, well, **** that.

I'm thinking more of not signing the pick means we get an additional pick with more potential next year. I don't think it would save the Pohlad's any money, just defer some to next year.

 

For the record, I would like to see the Twins draft Correa. The lack of competition that Buxton has faced makes me nervous.

I like Buxton. He's "a highlight reel waiting to happen"! [video=youtube;_jEOvrNoBlE]

".

Maybe we could have Buxton pitch. He had something like 18 strikeouts in his last game.

At least his arm will not be a liability in the outfield...

 

According to reports from Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated, Buxton has clocked the fastest time out of the box by any right-handed prospect since Bo Jackson, and his arm has been clocked at 99 miles an hour (he is going to be a centerfielder, but he has pitched throughout high school). According to that same article written on May 22, Buxton is hitting .545 this season and has stolen 35 bases in 36 attempts. Given the fact that he is 6'3" and currently 180 pounds, he might fill out even more and add on more power.

Keith Law just published his last mock draft. (Sorry, insider only). He's still going with the Twins getting Buxton. Giolioto goes #11 to the Reds.

 

He ends the story with some random notes about the Twins looking at Mitch Brown, RHP Shane Watson and Clemson RHP Lucas Sims for #32.

 

Also, FWIW, John Manuel just suggested on KFAN that the Astros could go a different way with the #1 pick. They're negotiating with their top 5 picks to see who will come in below slot.

1.2 Kevin Gausman RHP LSU 6-4 185 Hard to pass over Correa or Buxton if they are available, but the Twins need pitching in a desperate way. If they draft a college arm they can get him into the rotation within two years and let him finish his development at the major league level. Gausman is now my #1 rated college pitcher, and although he does nto project as a sure #1 starter, he should become a solid #2 guy in the rotation and a solid inning eater. Since the Twins need pitching 1-5, that is a big start.

 

1.32 (Comp) Brian Johnson LHP Florida 6-3 235 Left hander with above average off speed and curve balls to go along with an average fastball. He has command of his offspeed stuff and should be ready to pitch in the big leagues very quickly.

 

1.42 (Comp) Mitchell Brown RHP Rochester-Century 6-2 210 College arms are in short supply, so restock the lower minors with Minnesota's best prospect. Brown has a plus curveball and is already big league sized.

 

2.63 Brenden Kline RHP Virginia 6-3 195 Kline has experience as a starter and a reliever, and has a good fastball, curve and slider.

 

2.72 Patrick Wisdon 3B St. Mary's 6-2 210 Wisdom has good power potential as a 3B and good approach at the plate if he can put it all together and remain consistent.

 

3.97 Damien Magnifico RHP Oklahoma 6-2 195 Flame thrower that needs to develop a slider, but could become major league closer if he did.

Also, FWIW, John Manuel just suggested on KFAN that the Astros could go a different way with the #1 pick. They're negotiating with their top 5 picks to see who will come in below slot.

I'm not quite sure how they'd sell that to Astros fans. Perhaps they are just trying to drive Appel's price down.

Mike Radcliffe was just on KFAN w Lavelle. If I heard right, he basically said they would either go with Appel or Buxton, whichever the Astros don't take.

1.2 Kevin Gausman RHP LSU 6-4 185 Hard to pass over Correa or Buxton if they are available, but the Twins need pitching in a desperate way. If they draft a college arm they can get him into the rotation within two years and let him finish his development at the major league level. Gausman is now my #1 rated college pitcher, and although he does nto project as a sure #1 starter, he should become a solid #2 guy in the rotation and a solid inning eater. Since the Twins need pitching 1-5, that is a big start.

 

1.32 (Comp) Brian Johnson LHP Florida 6-3 235 Left hander with above average off speed and curve balls to go along with an average fastball. He has command of his offspeed stuff and should be ready to pitch in the big leagues very quickly.

 

1.42 (Comp) Mitchell Brown RHP Rochester-Century 6-2 210 College arms are in short supply, so restock the lower minors with Minnesota's best prospect. Brown has a plus curveball and is already big league sized.

 

2.63 Brenden Kline RHP Virginia 6-3 195 Kline has experience as a starter and a reliever, and has a good fastball, curve and slider.

 

2.72 Patrick Wisdon 3B St. Mary's 6-2 210 Wisdom has good power potential as a 3B and good approach at the plate if he can put it all together and remain consistent.

 

3.97 Damien Magnifico RHP Oklahoma 6-2 195 Flame thrower that needs to develop a slider, but could become major league closer if he did.

I like this for the most part, except I would like C Kevin Plawecki at 63. Not sure about 97 at this point. After 75 or so, I just get lost in players. Could grab Brown at 32 and then see who is still there at 42.

Go sign Soler. There's your high upside OFer. Then draft pitching. Or, heck, take Correa at that point....I'd love it if they rolled the dice on Soler (the Cuban free agent), who BA just said (or KLAW, can't recall which), would go in picks 4-9 this year if he was draftable....

Go sign Soler. There's your high upside OFer. Then draft pitching. Or, heck, take Correa at that point....I'd love it if they rolled the dice on Soler (the Cuban free agent), who BA just said (or KLAW, can't recall which), would go in picks 4-9 this year if he was draftable....

I like the idea of signing Soler, regardless of how we draft.

So what if Astros take Buxton instead? I gotta think that's a possibility since Boras represents Appel and is unlikely to even consider a discount. If they take Buxton, do you think Appel is a no-brainer? It would sure be nice to add a nice arm that could be ready in a year or so.

So what if Astros take Buxton instead? I gotta think that's a possibility since Boras represents Appel and is unlikely to even consider a discount. If they take Buxton, do you think Appel is a no-brainer? It would sure be nice to add a nice arm that could be ready in a year or so.

Yes Appel is a no-brainer. This place would explode if we get the chance to draft Appel and don't.

So what if Astros take Buxton instead? I gotta think that's a possibility since Boras represents Appel and is unlikely to even consider a discount. If they take Buxton, do you think Appel is a no-brainer? It would sure be nice to add a nice arm that could be ready in a year or so.

Boras burned the Twins twice - once with Belcher and again with Lee. My understanding is that they haven't drafted a Boras guy since Lee, in 1996. I don't think they'd draft Appel, although they said they would. If Buxton's gone, I think they choose between Correa and Zimmer.

Will he take slot? Or will he want the extra mil that comes with going #1 overall? If he won't take slot, I would look seriously at Zunino or Gausman.

So what if Astros take Buxton instead? I gotta think that's a possibility since Boras represents Appel and is unlikely to even consider a discount. If they take Buxton, do you think Appel is a no-brainer? It would sure be nice to add a nice arm that could be ready in a year or so.

I think the Boras angle is overblown. With the new slot caps, there's not really much incentive for a player to hold out and go unsigned, especially if he's the No. 1 or 2 pick.

The problem is that the caps are quite high compared to the available talent this year. The Twins may take Buxton and offer $5 million, basically thinking he couldn't possibly walk away.

I think the Boras angle is overblown. With the new slot caps, there's not really much incentive for a player to hold out and go unsigned, especially if he's the No. 1 or 2 pick.

It'll be really interesting to see how this dynamic plays out. There's no reason to think any of the top 8-10 guys would be drafted as high again in the future, so they don't really have any leverage, and their agents should know it.

 

From what I've read, the Mariners love Zunino and the Orioles prefer Gausman, which means if Appel doesn't go #1 or #2, he could fall to #5. That's about half the slot money of #1. If he's available at #2, I'd tell Boras he's got 5 minutes to accept $5.5M from us or else we're taking Correa. Then take the $700K saved plus the $600K we can safely go over and be aggressive with the BPA who's dropped into the supplemental round.

Who's on first?

Whomever of Sano/Harrison is not at the OF

I'd tell Boras he's got 5 minutes

There's a little bit of Walter Mitty in all of us.

MLB Network coverage has started. They're interviewing a bunch of the prospects now. AFter reading more about Buxton, I'm really hoping the reports are correct and he falls to the Twins.

5:16 PM - They're about to have a feature on Buxton on the MLB network. That's ch 733 in Mpls Comcast.

MLB Network coverage has started. They're interviewing a bunch of the prospects now. AFter reading more about Buxton, I'm really hoping the reports are correct and he falls to the Twins.

Another project. They're working so well in this org.

Is Byron Buxton faster than Ben Revere? Buxton is said to have 80 speed.

I like the idea of signing Soler, regardless of how we draft.

yes Please do so. Can't draft well,might as well do better in signing a guy.

yes Please do so. Can't draft well,might as well do better in signing a guy.

Do you guys really see us getting Soler? I don't see it happening.

FWIW, the MLB Network is absolutely ga-ga over Buxton. They're making it sound like the Astros are making a huge mistake if they don't take him.

People believe Buxton is the best talent. I just worry about a guy trying to learn power IN the Twins Org.

People believe Buxton is the best talent. I just worry about a guy trying to learn power IN the Twins Org.

We could say the same thing about any pitcher they may draft high...they will make him pitch to contact