We hope you have come back after having a refreshing Memorial Day. Because, to be honest, if you’re not properly hydrated these next couple of weeks, you’re not going to be able to handle all the draft material we have for you.

 

Today marks the start of this extensive coverage of the Major League Baseball Draft (which is held June 8-10). We know you love it - the three days of the draft are three of busiest days of the year at Twins Daily. Try to break us. Seriously.The Twins will draft 6th overall (and you already know this, man!) which has a slot value of $3,889,500. Because of the signing of pitcher Ervin Santana, the Twins had to forfeit their second round pick. They were, however, awarded a pick in the Compensation B Round (73rd overall) that has a value of $839,700. They will then go on to make eight selections on Tuesday and finish out the draft on Wednesday by making thirty more picks.

 

From now until the draft, Twins Daily will be your home for a ton of draft coverage. We'll profile several of the players who the Twins could potentially draft as well as posting Mock Drafts and much more. Of course, we'll continue to cover the Minnesota Twins and lead the market with the best minor league coverage of the organization, but these next two weeks will certainly have a strong draft focus.

 

We will be on top of the draft during the three days of the event. Join in on the discussion by commenting in our articles as well as posting in the forums.

 

We are also happy to announce that for the second straight year, Twins Daily will be hosting a draft-related show while the Twins pick. Last year, we did a Hangout during the first five picks, followed by a radio spot from 9-10 pm. We’re dropping that. On June 8 from 7-8 pm, John Bonnes will host a draft show on KFAN. I’ll be fighting the traffic to join him in studio and we’ll have Seth Stohs on the show as well. Be sure to put that on your calendar.

 

At some point in late June, we'll also be putting together a PDF-only Draft Prospect Handbook. It's going to be sick. And if you're draft-crazy, you won't be able to live without it. (Ok, that's hyperbole; but it will be great.)

 

All told, it's going to be more Twins-draft related information than you could shake a stick at.

 

So without further adieu, grab a water bottle, pop some popcorn and enjoy Twins Daily’s first-round mock draft:

 

1) Arizona: Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt

2) Houston: Daz Cameron, OF, Georgia HS

3) Colorado: Brendan Rodgers, SS, Florida HS

4) Texas: Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

5) Houston: Alex Bregman, SS, LSU

 

If those five guys are off the board when the Twins draft, it will leave them with a difficult decision. At this point in time, there is no chance that Swanson drops and a very slim chance that Rodgers falls. Tate has a slightly better chance to drop, but it’s unlikely the first five picks are all hitters and Tate is still the best college pitcher. The Twins love Bregman and - again - at this point, would love to see him drop to them. The Twins like Cameron, but don’t have any desire to meet his asking price. And, lastly, despite only one of the top five picks above being pitchers, there is a strong feeling around the industry that they “all want pitching” which could muddy this up even more.

 

In this scenario, I would expect the decision to come down to Tyler Jay, LHP, Illinois and Kyle Tucker, OF, Florida HS.

 

6) Minnesota: Kyle Tucker, OF, Florida HS

7) Boston: Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt

8) Chicago (AL): Tyler Jay, LHP, Illinois

9) Chicago (NL): Andrew Benintendi, OF, Arkansas

10) Philadelphia: Walker Buehler, RHP, Vanderbilt

11) Cincinnati: Jon Harris, RHP, Missouri State

12) Miami: Trenton Clark, OF, Texas HS

13) Tampa Bay: James Kaprielian, RHP, UCLA

14) Atlanta: Tyler Stephenson, C, Atlanta HS

15) Milwaukee: Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville

16) New York (AL): Garrett Whitley, OF, New York HS

17) Cleveland: Kolby Allard, LHP, California HS

18) San Francisco: Mike Nikorak, RHP, Pennsylvania HS

19) Pittsburgh: Ashe Russell, RHP, Indiana HS

20) Oakland: Donnie Dewees, OF, North Florida

21) Kansas City: Brady Aiken, LHP, IMG Academy

22) Detroit: Donny Everett, RHP, Tennessee HS

23) St Louis: Kevin Newman, SS, Arizona

24) Los Angeles (NL): Nathan Kirby, LHP, Virginia

25) Baltimore: Ian Happ, OF, Cincinnati

26) Los Angeles (AL): Phil Bickford, LHP, College of Southern Nevada

 

So there you have it: Mock Draft v. 1. What do you think? If the Top 5 go like that, did the Twins do the right thing? Leave your thoughts below.

 

And don't forget to check back frequently for new content.

 

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Well my hope going into the draft was Bregman, Tucker or a pitcher who wasnt Aiken, so I would hope Bregman drops, but would be happy with Tucker too.

Did Happ fall off a truck and hurt himself?  What's the deal with his slide all the way down to 25?

 

I think in this situation, with Tate off the board, I'd be looking at a high school guy, probably a guy like Allard.  Given how weak the Twins catching situation is, I could see going after a guy like Tyler Stevenson under slot. 

Interesting that you'd have Brady Aiken being taken by the Royals.Just last year, they took the guy who everyone thought should go higher, but for injury concerns/performance, fell. Last year is was Sean Manaea in the supplemental 1st round. Good pick for them at that point, if he's willing to sign.

 

This is going to be an interesting draft. Compared to years past, pretty much anything can happen.

Sale, Rodon, Quintana, and another lefty for the White Sox?  Three of them with heat and good sliders...

Edited May 26, 201511 yr by tobi0040

No matter who drafts him, Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville, they will immediately have one of the best names in MiLB. I'm not sure what that's worth, but Funkhouser is up there with Dinkelman.

The pendulum seems to be swinging for everyone. It's just swinging down right now for Happ. But all it takes is one team...

If the Twins ended up drafting Tucker, I would be sooooooo happy

Jeremy, I think your top-5 prediction is completely reasonable. Is it your personal opinion that the Twins should pick between Tucker and Jay, or do you think that is what the Twins are thinking right now?

 

I have a hard time believing that Tucker is the BPA in this scenario... but I can't make a really strong case that it should be someone else. Such is this draft.

The coverage here is great, thanks to everyone.

I wouldn't think the Twins would have a difficult decision on draft day - presumably they would have their board finalized at that point.

 

I'm not a scout, so I've never been one to have strong opinions about particular amateurs. Bregman's defensive value is a little worrisome, based on what I've read, but offense is hard to find these days and it seems like he can hit. Jay is intriguing. It wouldn't surprise me if four or even all five of the first five picks were position players... all the pitching options have significant risk or upside concerns.

Does Jay project as a starter or a relief pitcher?  He's been closing at Illinois.  6 seems high for a relief pitcher.  If they're going with a LHP, I'd prefer they go Allard (assuming his medicals check out).  I really like Tucker too.  

Houston blogs really want them to take Tucker over Cameron, for whatever that's worth.

 

I think I'd prefer Jay to Tucker but I really don't know enough about either to have a worthwhile opinion.  

Since the Twins forfeited their 2nd round pick, does that mean they forfeit the money for that slot too?

 

Since the Twins forfeited their 2nd round pick, does that mean they forfeit the money for that slot too?

Correct.  They don't have the slot money for a round 2 selection.  

 

Bonus pool money is based on the picks that a team actually has, not what they would have had before forfeiting picks.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see Fulmer crack the top 5 which could make someone higher on the Twins board available.  Please not Cameron. 

 

Swanson, Rodgers, Tate, and Bregman are in the top 5 of my board.  I like Jay (assuming the only reason he is not starting is enertia).

Any word on the Twins and Nikorak or Allard?  I've seen some link the Twins with Allard (Klaw, McDaniel) but nothing on Nikorak.  Have you heard anything more indepth on those two?

How does Bregman compare to Gordon as a prospect and shortstop?

Jeremy, I think your top-5 prediction is completely reasonable. Is it your personal opinion that the Twins should pick between Tucker and Jay, or do you think that is what the Twins are thinking right now?

 

I have a hard time believing that Tucker is the BPA in this scenario... but I can't make a really strong case that it should be someone else. Such is this draft.

 

Area scouts line them up, then supervisors line them up, then they all congregate with the his that have crosschecked. So it's hard to say how they'll shake out on the final board. Call it "educated speculation".

If the Twins did draft Jay and go the Brandon Finnegan route it would be interesting to see their bullpen come August and September.  A lot of folks thought Nick Burdi and/or Jake Reed would be up by then.  With their development slowed a bit, could we see a Tyler Jay/ Alex Meyer left/right setup combo?

I wouldn't think the Twins would have a difficult decision on draft day - presumably they would have their board finalized at that point.

 

I'm not a scout, so I've never been one to have strong opinions about particular amateurs. Bregman's defensive value is a little worrisome, based on what I've read, but offense is hard to find these days and it seems like he can hit. Jay is intriguing. It wouldn't surprise me if four or even all five of the first five picks were position players... all the pitching options have significant risk or upside concerns.

 

I hear everything you're saying. And some would tell you that you're spot on. One thing I've been told:

 

Bregman is legit MLB SS, who profiles as a 7-9 hitter.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And while it seems like it could all be position players, I've been told all four teams above "want pitching".

Does Jay project as a starter or a relief pitcher?  He's been closing at Illinois.  6 seems high for a relief pitcher.  If they're going with a LHP, I'd prefer they go Allard (assuming his medicals check out).  I really like Tucker too.

 

Houston blogs really want them to take Tucker over Cameron, for whatever that's worth. I think I'd prefer Jay to Tucker but I really don't know enough about either to have a worthwhile opinion.

Jay is closing, but would start career in a rotation. He could help a MLB team in the pen soon. He's also been stretched out some, not used in a typical closing role.Houston loves Daz, but has a connection with Tucker toO. So who knows...

Does Jay project as a starter or a relief pitcher?  He's been closing at Illinois.  6 seems high for a relief pitcher.  If they're going with a LHP, I'd prefer they go Allard (assuming his medicals check out).  I really like Tucker too.

 

Houston blogs really want them to take Tucker over Cameron, for whatever that's worth. I think I'd prefer Jay to Tucker but I really don't know enough about either to have a worthwhile opinion.

Jay is closing, but would start career in a rotation. He could help a MLB team in the pen soon. He's also been stretched out some, not used in a typical closing role.Houston loves Daz, but has a connection with Tucker toO. So who knows...

Correct.  They don't have the slot money for a round 2 selection.  

 

Bonus pool money is based on the picks that a team actually has, not what they would have had before forfeiting picks.

 

But you have to sign those picks for that money to count.

I'll let Jeremy answer your questions however he likes. He's the most tuned in to all of this. 

 

I'll just remind people that we started profiles today with Buehler and will be profiling more players each day of the next 2 weeks. 

 

How does Bregman compare to Gordon as a prospect and shortstop?

I know that one expert (I think Jim Callis) considered Bregman similar to Trae Turner from last year, not in style but in overall talent. And most experts had Turner ranked slightly below Gordon last year. If the transitive property holds with prospects, then I think it is reasonable to think that Gordon would be ranked ahead of Bregman if he was in this draft.

I think if that situation plays out it would be between Tucker, Jay, Allard, and Aiken, and I sure would hate to see Jay, Allard, and Aiken go to rival teams in our division.

I know he'll go high, but I don't want anything to do with Bregman.  Picking at #6, even in a weak draft, I'd rather whiff on a guy with a high ceiling than pick a guy that high that could be the next Jed Lowrie if everything works out.  Plus with Nick Gordon, Jorge Polanco, possibly Wander Javier-they've invested a lot at the SS position.  Would rather go after a possible impact bat or high-ceiling starting pitcher.  I've never liked the whole draft a SS argument, seems like a lot of no-hit infielders drafted high because they could play SS.  

Gosh I hope Bregman falls. Seems like Tucker or Tate would be ok tho