Article: Twins Hidden Draft Gems (Rounds 2-10)

[Seth Stohs]

On day two, the Minnesota Twins will select eight more players in the MLB Draft. Rounds 3 through 10 will take place on Tuesday afternoon. We will detail each of those picks here at Twins Daily. The first-round picks get a lot of the publicity, but teams can find great talents in the later rounds as well. Today, I’ll take a look at the best Twins picks from rounds two through ten in their draft history.Who will be the next Brian Dozier? Bert Blyleven? Justin Morneau? LaTroy Hawkins or Brad Radke?

 

2^nd Round

 

1981 – Frank Viola – LHP – St. John’s University – WAR 47.4

 

Viola was up with the Twins by 1982 and went on to win 176 games in his long career. He was the World Series MVP in 1987 for the Twins. He also won the 1988 American League Cy Young.

Honorable Mention: Butch Wynegar (1974 - WAR 26.3), Scott Baker (2003), Tim Teufel (1980), Jesse Crain (2002), Jacque Jones (1996). Bill Swift (1983), Del Unser (1965), Allan Anderson (1982).

 

Current: Ryan Eades (2013), Mason Melotakis (2012), JT Chargois (2012), Madison Boer (2011), Niko Goodrum (2010).

 

Last year: Nick Burdi

 

 

3^rd Round

 

1969 – Bert Blyleven – RHP – High School in California – WAR 95.3

 

Blyleven was drafted by the Twins and debuted as a 19-year-old in 1970. He went on to win 287 games with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. After years of falling short, Blyleven went into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That is going to make you an organization’s top selection for a round most times.

Honorable Mention: Steve Garvey (1966-Did Not Sign), Justin Morneau (1999), AJ Pierzynski (1994), Denny Neagle (1989), John Castino (1976)

 

Current: Stuart Turner (2013), Adam Brett Walker (2012), Corey Williams (2011), Pat Dean (2010), Brian Duensing (2005)

 

Last Year: Michael Cederoth

 

 

4^th Round

 

1965 – Graig Nettles – 3B – San Diego State University – WAR 68.0

 

Of his 68 WAR, just one WAR came with the Twins. Following the 1969 season, he was traded with Dean Chance and others to Cleveland for Luis Tiant. He went on to become one of the best third baseman of his era.

Honorable Mention: Scott Erickson (1989)

 

Current: Danny Ortiz (2008), Eddie Rosario (2010), Matt Summers (2011), Zack Jones (2012), Stephen Gonsalves (2013)

 

Last Year: Sam Clay

 

 

5^th Round

 

1967 – Dave Goltz – RHP – Rothsay (MN) High School – WAR – 23.2

 

A local product, Dave Goltz signed and spent five years in the minor leagues before debuting in 1972. He was with the Twins through the 1979 before going to California to play for the Dodgers and then the Angels. He had double-digit wins each season from 1974 through 1979 including a 20-win season in 1977.

Honorable Mention: Doug Mientkiewicz (1995)

 

Current: Aaron Slegers (2013), Tyler Duffey (2012)

 

Last Year: Jake Reed

 

 

6^th Round

 

2002 – Pat Neshek – RHP – Butler University – WAR 7.3

 

The Minnesota native debuted with his hometown team in 2006 and was in the final vote for an All-Star pick in 2007, though he lost out. He was a dominant force in the bullpen until he had some elbow problems and eventually missed time due to Tommy John surgery. Upon his return, the Twins let him go and he spent time with San Diego before doing well in Oakland and then becoming an All-Star in 2014 with the Cardinals. He turned that into a big contract with the Astros this year.

Honorable Mention: Darrell Jackson (1973)

 

Current: BJ Hermsen (2008), Chris Herrmann (2009), Logan Darnell (2010), Dereck Rodriguez (2011), Brain Navarreto (2013)

 

Last Year: John Curtiss

 

 

7^th Round

 

1991 – LaTroy Hawkins – RHP – High School in Gary, Indiana – WAR 17.2

 

“The Hawk” came up as a starter way back when and struggled. Then he became the closer. And he struggled. Then Rick Anderson moved him to the set up man job and his career took off. In fact, at age 42, he is still playing. Only 13 pitchers in big league history have pitched in more games than Hawkins. There is a chance that he could end the year (and his career) in the Top 10 all-time.

Honorable Mention: Mark Guthrie (1987)

 

Current: Steven Gruver (2011), Jorge Fernandez (2012), Brian Gilbert (2013),

Last Year: Andro Cutura

 

 

8^th Round

 

1991 – Brad Radke – RHP – High School in Tampa, FL – WAR 45.5

 

One round after drafting Hawkins, the Twins selected Radke out of high school. He flew through the Twins minor league system and debuted as a 22-year-old in 1995. He was “Real-As-Radke” early in his career, but he got into the national spotlight in 1997 when he won 20 games. He was a stalwart in the Twins rotation from 1995 through 2006 and won 148 major league games. Following his career, he was named to the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.

Honorable Mention: Rick Burleson (1969), Brian Dozier (2009), Adam Lind (2002)

 

Current: Jason Wheeler (2011)

 

Last Year: Keaton Steele

 

 

9^th Round

 

1981 – Steve Lombardozzi – SS – University of Florida – WAR 4.4

 

“Lombo” was a surprise contributor as the second baseman for the Twins during their World Series championship in 1987. He didn’t hit for average, but he and Greg Gagne combined to play very good defense up the middle. Before the 1989 season, he was traded to Houston but only played another 19 games before retiring. His son has spent a lot of time in the big leagues the last three years.

Honorable Mention: Darrell Jackson (1977), Tony Fossas (1978)

 

Current: Mitch Garver (2013)

 

Last Year: Max Murphy

 

 

10^th Round

 

1966 – Steve Braun – SS – High School in New Jersey – WAR 17.6

 

Braun spent six seasons (1971-1976) with the Twins, playing in at least 115 games each year. He played mostly third base, though he spent time in the outfield as well. He played for four other organizations through the 1985 season, though he was primarily a part-time player and pinch hitter much of the remainder of his career.

Honorable Mention: Jeff Reboulet (1986), Marty Cordova (1989)

 

Current: Brett Lee (2011), DJ Baxendale (2012), CK Irby (2013)

 

Last Year: Randy LeBlanc

 

 

So, as you can see, there aren’t a ton of success stories as the rounds go on, but you just never know which players are going to take off and become valuable regulars in the big leagues. Today, the Twins will draft their third round pick through their 10^th round picks. Who will be the next Bert Blyleven, Frank Viola or Brad Radke? Who will be the next Brian Dozier or Craig Nettles?

 

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[twinsfanstreif]

I'm hoping for Either Austin Rei or Blake Trahan with our 3rd rounder, Matuella would also be a value pick but it scares me that no one has picked him up yet so either he's unsignable, the injury's worse than we thought, or scouts saw what I saw and believe he's gonna be constantly hurt.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm hoping for Either Austin Rei or Blake Trahan with our 3rd rounder, Matuella would also be a value pick but it scares me that no one has picked him up yet so either he's unsignable, the injury's worse than we thought, or scouts saw what I saw and believe he's gonna be constantly hurt.

 

Have to think Matuella would just go back to school at this point and try to pitch his way back into the 1st round. I mean, unless the Astros have a deal with him too. 

[nytwinsfan]

This is a great Baseball America list of ten upside talents left for round 3. Hope the Twins take one, or someone else with that kind of upside.  Hooper and Matuella (as Seth noted) would probably be pretty hard to sign, but the rest sound really exciting.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2015-draft-best-remaining-prospects-day-two/

[Captain Hindsight]

 

Have to think Matuella would just go back to school at this point and try to pitch his way back into the 1st round. I mean, unless the Astros have a deal with him too. 

 

Since he had TJ in April, would Matuella pitch enough before next years draft to make much of a difference? He is kind of in a bad spot, since he will be a senior next year and the talent pool should be better. I'd imagine if a team took a chance on him in the 3rd or 4th and gave him near a $1 million bonus he would be crazy not to accept.

[Hrbowski]

 

Since he had TJ in April, would Matuella pitch enough before next years draft to make much of a difference? He is kind of in a bad spot, since he will be a senior next year and the talent pool should be better. I'd imagine if a team took a chance on him in the 3rd or 4th and gave him near a $1 million bonus he would be crazy not to accept.

I don't think he would be back in time, he might get in one or two starts, and it wouldn't be enough to get him into the first round.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

This is a great Baseball America list of ten upside talents left for round 3. Hope the Twins take one, or someone else with that kind of upside.  Hooper and Matuella (as Seth noted) would probably be pretty hard to sign, but the rest sound really exciting.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2015-draft-best-remaining-prospects-day-two/

Pretty much what MLB.com has too:

 

23. Donny Everett, RHP, Clarksville HS (Tenn.)
28. Michael Matuella, RHP, Duke
31. Justin Hooper, LHP, De La Salle HS (Calif.)
33. Dakota Chalmers, RHP, North Forsyth HS (Ga.)
39. Jacob Nix, RHP, IMG Acadamy (Fla.)
41. Jalen Miller, SS, Riverwood International Charter School (Ga.)
45. Riley Ferrell, RHP, TCU
47. Blake Trahan, SS, Lousiana-Lafayette
54. Luken Baker, RHP/1B, Oak Ridge HS (Texas)
55. Cole Sands, RHP, North Florida Christian HS (Fla.)

[ashbury]

The next Craig Nettles will be the first.

 

_{^{/spoiler: it's "Graig"}}

[d-mac]

Man, the Twins have not drafted well in the 2nd and 3rd round recently. I bet that has something to do with losing a bunch of games the last few years. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

The next Craig Nettles will be the first.

 

_{^{/spoiler: it's "Graig"}}

 

Corrected... thanks for the "spoiler!"

[Captain Hindsight]

 

Man, the Twins have not drafted well in the 2nd and 3rd round recently. I bet that has something to do with losing a bunch of games the last few years. 

 

I'm confused, how would that negatively effect their draft choices? I think they did well with their recent choices of Adam Brett-Walker and Nick Burdi. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Man, the Twins have not drafted well in the 2nd and 3rd round recently. I bet that has something to do with losing a bunch of games the last few years. 

 

I don't know. I think they've done pretty well... though a lot of the high-end talent is relief pitching, but those are obviously important pieces of a roster too. And, Walker.

[d-mac]

 

I'm confused, how would that negatively effect their draft choices? I think they did well with their recent choices of Adam Brett-Walker and Nick Burdi. 

 

I don't know. I think they've done pretty well... though a lot of the high-end talent is relief pitching, but those are obviously important pieces of a roster too. And, Walker.

 

Actually, just perusing BBref's draft history, the Twins haven't gone this long without either a 2nd or third rounder reach the majors. And I'm not talk about last two or three year's picks- can't assess those yet. I'm talking since like 2004. They haven't gotten a contributor since Kevin Slowey. Just a couple of replacement level players. The poor 2005-2011 drafts might have something to do with the Twins' loosing the last few years.

 

Food for thought.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

If not for his balky back, I think Marty Cordova would have been a pretty special player. . . how many ROY's are drafted in the 10h round?

[gunnarthor]

 

Actually, just perusing BBref's draft history, the Twins haven't gone this long without either a 2nd or third rounder reach the majors. And I'm not talk about last two or three year's picks- can't assess those yet. I'm talking since like 2004. They haven't gotten a contributor since Kevin Slowey. Just a couple of replacement level players. The poor 2005-2011 drafts might have something to do with the Twins' loosing the last few years.

 

Food for thought.

Two of those 2nd rounders were traded for Scott Diamond and Cabrera, IIRC.  All the rest of the 2nd rounders since 2010 are still in the system, although some are probably on their way out. 

 

And, of course, Joe Benson was a top 100 prospect whose release created one of the most epic threads ever at Twins Daily.

 

But again, Deron Johnson's drafts haven't been as succesful as Radcliff's were.