Article: Twins Draft Preview: Ten Local Names

[Jeremy Nygaard]

While there isn’t a headlining prospect from Minnesota that will be selected on the first day, there are a number of players with local ties that should keep your attention.

 

Baseball America gave the state of Minnesota two stars for this year’s class and called it “not up-to-par”, but we’re also going to spill into Iowa and Wisconsin as well.The top prospect with local ties is Kentucky RHP Kyle Cody, who grew up in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Cody is currently (underperforming) at Kentucky, but there is a history of Kentucky pitchers heading to Fort Myers to join the Twins minor leagues. Cody is the only one on this list that figures to hear his named called in the first ten round and could go as high as in the late-20s.

 

Speaking of that Kentucky connection, RHP Sean Hjelle, a 6-11, 190 lbs prep from White Bear Lake is heading there this fall. That is, of course, unless he signs a contract to become a professional. While Hjelle, who currently throws in the high-80s, is very projectable, he probably won’t go high enough to give up his commitment, and will hear his named called on Day 3.

 

RHP Jake Irvin, Bloomington, is committed to Oklahoma. Armed with a nasty slider, Irvin is committed to Oklahoma. There is probably a greater likelihood that he goes professional than Hjelle, but in all likelihood, it’s going to require hearing his name called in the Top 10 rounds and there is no guarantee that will happen.

 

Gopher LHP Dalton Sawyer throws in the 90s and is the most draftable of all the Gophers, but Sawyer didn’t have a great year (4.58 ERA and a 38:32 K/BB ratio) and might be signable early on Day 3.

 

Another Red Wing prep, Ty Buck, a third baseman, may be the most well-known prep in the state. He’s committed to Iowa Western CC. While junior college guys typically appear more signable, it sounds like Buck will head there as he’s not expected to go in the Top 10 rounds.

 

An Apple Valley alum spent last week playing in the NCAA regionals. Kris Goodman, a left fielder from the University of Iowa, could fit in to fill an organization needs. Goodman is a four-year player and would be likely to sign regardless of where he’s drafted.

 

Brad Mathiowetz was drafted by the Twins last year in the 35th round out of Rochester Mayo. The catcher spent the year at Des Moines Area CC and hit 16 home runs, which ranked ninth in the JC ranks, in 56 games. He’s currently playing for the Rochester Honkers in the Northwoods League.

 

International Falls RHP Ben Humbert remains relatively unknown. He is committed to Minnesota, but the three-sport star - who Baseball America ranks as the #1 prospect in the state - may just find himself getting drafted high enough to give his next step a second thought.

 

Another U of M commit - Litchfield INF Eduardo Estrada - will likely find his way to campus. The high-energy player will find himself back on draft radars in three years.

 

Bethel RHP Tyler Heitmann isn’t likely to get drafted. But the 6-4, 190-pounder went 9-1 this season and had a K/9 over 9.00. Heitmann is the only player in the Northwoods League (Willmar Stingers) from a non-scholarship school. Oh, and Heitmann used to be a little rugrat that hung around the gym when I was in high school and graduated 10 years after me. Now he hits 90 mph and has a future in baseball. So that’s pretty neat. Not bad for Baldwin, a little town in western Wisconsin.

 

There’s ten local players to keep in mind as you hear 1200 people hear their names called in pursuit of their dreams over the next three days.

 

Any other names that you'll be listening for?

 

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[Hrbowski]

Sean Hjelle lives in White Bear, but he goes to school in Mahtomedi. Speaking of Mahtomedi, I saw on the mlb.com draft tracker that Mike Baumann was listed as a State College of Florida Manatee - Sarasota (FL) Right Handed Pitcher, but he pitched at Jacksonville this year and was named a freshman All-American, so I was wondering if you knew anything about that.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I'm guessing he's just in the database incorrectly. He shouldn't be draft-eligible.

[nfisch22]

Another name to keep an eye on is Andrew Thome from the University of North Dakota who played high school baseball for St. Cloud Cathederal. He had a solid career at UND and has used up his eligibility so he might be a later round pick who's relatively inexpensive to sign. I know he has thrown for a few teams in the last couple weeks. Two other names from SCSU Garrett Harrison and Mike Jurgella have shots to be Day 2 or 3 picks as well.

[nfisch22]

Another name to keep an eye on is Andrew Thome from the University of North Dakota who played high school baseball for St. Cloud Cathederal. He had a solid career at UND and has used up his eligibility so he might be a later round pick who's relatively inexpensive to sign. I know he has thrown for a few teams in the last couple weeks. Two other names from SCSU Garrett Harrison and Mike Jurgella have shots to be Day 2 or 3 picks as well.

[Seth Stohs]

Twins take Kyle Cody with their 2nd pick. 

[Seth Stohs]

Maple Grove native Roman Collins was taken in the 5th round by the Royals.