Article: Official Twins Daily Day Two Draft Thread

[drjim]

 

When one of these guys works out, for multiple years at the MLB level, there will be evidence that they should have the benefit of the doubt. And, I don't think they are top 3 because of the picks of RP, do you?. But like I said, they are either genius, or really wrong. I don't know which yet.

 

Out of curiosity do you have any reference to how many relievers other teams draft and are you sure the Twins draft significantly more? Individual drafts they have gone heavy, but is this true over an extended period of time?

[Mike Sixel]

 

My point is they have been successful picking their spots on grabbing SP in the international market and the middle rounds of the draft, so they must be doing SOMETHING right, which is why I am fine with their current approach of picking up a few college RP here and there.

 

I'd like the strategy more if the FO would follow up on that, and actually use their AAA and AA RP in the majors, but they want veterans, so I don't get the strategy all that much.

 

And, none of them have made the majors yet. For the person talking about the "complaining" (I prefer discussion), we are talking about a three year trend, not 1 pick.

[gunnarthor]

 

When one of these guys works out, for multiple years at the MLB level, there will be evidence that they should have the benefit of the doubt. And, I don't think they are top 3 because of the picks of RP, do you?. But like I said, they are either genius, or really wrong. I don't know which yet.

 

You were one of the most vocal complainers about not drafting fire ballers.  Well, that's what Johnson has been doing since 08.  Personally, I preferred Radcliff's safe college arms approach but I was certainly in the minority here.

 

This year they've drafted one RP and Robinson happens to be a pretty good one.  Not sure it's worth complaining over. 

[nytwinsfan]

More on Jovani Moran, from Baseball America:

 

It is a good year for pitching in Puerto Rico, with Alexis Omar Diaz and Moran leading the way. Listed at 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, Moran has a lanky, projectable frame. He throws his fastball from a high three-quarters angle at 88-90 mph and locates it well thanks to his smooth, easy delivery. His breaking ball is a bit slurvy now, but as he gets stronger he should be able to throw it with true slider shape. Moran is a South Florida recruit, with a backup commitment to Broward (Fla.) CC.

 

 

And here is video of him: I'm not scout, but "lanky, projectible frame" is kind of an understatement. Kid looks skinny as can be, especially his upper body. He looks like he could easily add a couple of MPH on his pitches as he fills out.

Edited June 9, 2015 by nytwinsfan

[jokin]

More on Jovani Moran, from Baseball America:

 

 

And here is video of him: I'm not scout, but "lanky, projectible frame" is kind of an understatement. Kid looks skinny as can be, especially his upper body. He looks like he could easily add a couple of MPH on his pitches as he fills out.

Thanks for the legwork. He will also add velo with a better backfoot push from the rubber. Pretty smooth and effortless delivery for age 17+. Seems like one to watch, for sure.

[howieramone2]

 

Me too. This team needs to start seeing some results at the MLB level soon though. So many power armed relievers in the past four drafts and still nothing.

The two Rule 5 guys both look like keepers.

[gunnarthor]

Well, looks like they got their softball slugger - Kendrick may have the best raw power in a Draft that's short on promising sluggers. He packs a lot of strength in his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame and can put on a show in batting practice that would do a big leaguer proud.

Nevertheless, there's a split camp on how well his power will play in pro ball. Scouts who like him think his top-of-the-scale raw pop could translate into 30 homers annually in the Majors. Others think he has a grooved swing and lacks bat speed and believe he'll have trouble making contact against better competition.

Kendrick's power will have to carry him because he doesn't have another average tool. He's a well below-average runner with fringy arm strength. Though he has played both infield corners for Oak Forest Academy, the Southeastern Louisiana recruit will be limited to first base at the next level.

[Hrbowski]

Kolton Kendrick was ranked #62 by BA, so that was a good value pick. He has the best power in the class according to some.

[Willihammer]

Another interesting LH bat. Sounds like he'll have to hit or he'll be out of a job tho.

[Bob Sacamento]

More on Jovani Moran, from Baseball America:

 

 

And here is video of him: I'm not scout, but "lanky, projectible frame" is kind of an understatement. Kid looks skinny as can be, especially his upper body. He looks like he could easily add a couple of MPH on his pitches as he fills out.

beat ya to it in post #109

Edited June 9, 2015 by Bob Sacamento

[gunnarthor]

 

Kolton Kendrick was ranked #62 by BA, so that was a good value pick. He has the best power in the class according to some.

Bit of a difference between BA and mlb.com - 176 there.  Fangraphs had him at 202.

 

Basically, if his bat doesn't play, he won't.  Still a pretty good pick for the 8th round.

[gunnarthor]

Guy has some man muscles, though

 

[James]

Seems like left handed power has been the theme of the draft today.  

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

All I see from this data is just one more flaw in their strategy.

 

Well, 2012 is still too soon to judge it, but Tyler Duffey and Taylor Rogers have turned into pretty decent prospects. So is Mark Burdi and JT Chargois I might add. 

[jokin]

The two Rule 5 guys both look like keepers.

Wrong draft....

[Willihammer]

From http://highschoolsports.nola.com/news/article/-8123261326113099881/kolton-kendrick-mlb-draft-2015/
 

 

Kendrick played his senior season for Oak Forest Academy, a private school in Amite City that competes in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. He batted better than .420 with nine home runs, and many of the 50-plus times he walked were on intentional passes, sometimes to load the bases. He played most of the season with a wood bat.

 

[Bob Sacamento]

Scouting Report on Kolton Kendrick:

 

Last summer, Kendrick looked like a nice addition to Southeast Louisiana's recruiting class, but little more. His body was softer than scouts would have liked and his pull-heavy, sellout-for-power approach didn't impress, which explained why he wasn't selected to go to the East Coast Pro showcase. He slimmed down and added strength with a CrossFit regime and retooled his swing with a hitting coach, turning himself into a significantly better prospect this spring. Kendrick's power is his calling card. It's top-of-the-scale 80 raw power that has paid off in some epic home runs this spring. He's shown increased fluidity in his lefthanded swing and has shown that he can drive the ball to the opposite field and get solid swings against lefthanders. His hit tool will determine his value. Scouts who like him think he could make enough consistent contact to let his power play. Others still see some stiffness and length to his swing and believe he'll struggle to unlock his power. He a below-average first baseman, albeit with an average arm that let him play some third base in high school. He runs well for his size, but is still a below-average runner who will likely slow as he matures. If it all comes together, he's a potential home run champ thanks to his best-in-the-class power. But he's a boom-or-bust type in the mold of 2006 Braves first-rounder Cody Johnson, who flamed out in Double-A

[d-mac]

 

I'm hardly putting words in your mouth, you need to stop being so combative.

 

TR and the org must have done something right at some point as the Twins now have the 2nd best record in the league and have a farm system that everyone can agree on is one of the best in baseball.

Let me guess, you're a lawyer in real life.

 

We have the 2nd best record in the league because this team hit out of their mind with RISP this past month, starting pitching has been stranding runners near 80% and the bullpen with the worst xFIP in baseball hasn't melted down yet. It will pass. 

 

We have one of the best farm systems in baseball because we've been picking at the top for 4 years, and we've done a good job signing in the international market- and that's probably more attributable to Bill Smith signing Sano, Polanco, and Kepler under his watch. Unfortunately, there doesn't look to be any frontline starters outside of Berrios in the system- nobody lower than AA that can hit the ball much. Doesn't exactly seem like an outlook of sustainable long term success. There will be a few good years as our top prospects mature, but once they move on via FA or decline do to age it'll be like the small animal passing through the body of a snake. 

[jokin]

Well, 2012 is still too soon to judge it, but Tyler Duffey and Taylor Rogers have turned into pretty decent prospects. So is Mark Burdi and JT Chargois I might add.

Duffey is the only one who converted to SP, and the only one that has stayed healthy. I sure would like to see college arms who are taken in the opening rounds to be healthy and knocking on the door before their 4th professional season. Wasn't the whole point of this experiment to get the Ferarris with only 37 miles on the odometer? Duffey is the closest, was picked last from this 2012 list, and he's not close to knocking yet- the jury is definitely still out on whether or not he can start at the MLB level.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Sounds like ABW part two.

[diehardtwinsfan]

BTW, side note on relievers, those guys are the lowest in terms of risk as you need two pitches (maybe one if it's filthy) that you can reasonably command to make it to the show.  Those guys can be flipped quite easily too, as they are always needed.  Don't mind getting relief pitchers.  I didn't like the 2012 strategy, but so far, it hasn't exactly hurt them. 

[d-mac]

 

none of those were college RP, right? We aren't arguing a point we aren't making......

 

Dave's straw man game is strong.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

I had hoped this thread would be solely about Twins 2015 draft picks

 

#rookiemistake

[Mike Sixel]

 

I had hoped this thread would be solely about Twins 2015 draft picks

 

#rookiemistake

 

Fair enough. I'll stop.

 

I don' think this last guy is ABW, ABW is pretty athletic, isn't he?

[Hrbowski]

I wonder if Joey Bart will be in play with pick #9.

[d-mac]

 

Sounds like ABW part two.

ABW is athletic and can run a bit. This guy is all raw power or nothing. Do they think they have enough money for him to sign? 

[d-mac]

 

BTW, side note on relievers, those guys are the lowest in terms of risk as you need two pitches (maybe one if it's filthy) that you can reasonably command to make it to the show.  Those guys can be flipped quite easily too, as they are always needed.  Don't mind getting relief pitchers.  I didn't like the 2012 strategy, but so far, it hasn't exactly hurt them. 

 

I would say the lack of hitters in the low minors might share some causal relationship with this. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

ABW is athletic and can run a bit. This guy is all raw power or nothing. Do they think they have enough money for him to sign? 

 

I saw power and contact issues and thought ABW.  Probably true, though from what I understand, ABW isn't going to light the world on fire defensively...  Perhaps this is Vargas part 2...  Who knows. 

 

I'm guessing they have money to sign.  Those senior signs have very little negotiating power.  I suspect Jay goes under slot.  Cody might as well.  That gives them room to pony up a bit more for some of the kids. 

[d-mac]

 

 

I don' think this last guy is ABW, ABW is pretty athletic, isn't he?

 

Ah! Ya beat me to it.

[nicksaviking]

To me he sounds like Chris Parmelee and Dalton Hicks, two guys who had questionable hit tools but actually could. In the minors anyhow.