Not a good draft but Atlanta is trying to trade for picks. Too bad the highest one the Twins can offer to trade is #73.

 

Twins can't offer that.

 

I have no idea if there are any C worthy of a 1st round pick. But this team desperately needs an influx of talent at C... I'm hoping for 2 C's drafted...  

 

Deep catcher draft - as developmental catchers. Not really any guys who would move quickly.

 

Sorry, but the Braves have a deal with him.

 

One of three reported - Maitan, Severino, and Gutierrez.

It's a Braves focused post, but I did a piece today on Tomahawk Take on how the Braves could manipulate the draft and the word that baseball is looking to overhaul the slotting system yet again due to the teams doing the manipulation I mention in that post. I'll respect the site by not directly linking it, but I don't think it'd take anyone very long if they went to TT to find it.

 

It's a Braves focused post, but I did a piece today on Tomahawk Take on how the Braves could manipulate the draft and the word that baseball is looking to overhaul the slotting system yet again due to the teams doing the manipulation I mention in that post. I'll respect the site by not directly linking it, but I don't think it'd take anyone very long if they went to TT to find it.

If I was going underslot at #3 I would take Braxton Garrett.

Nice read on some guys who are expected to go mid-first round (hey, that's when we pick!) by Callis.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/175909022/2016-mlb-draft-prospects-rising-and-falling?topicid=151437456

 

 

 

If I was going underslot at #3 I would take Braxton Garrett.

 

Not if you're the Braves. If you're going underslot, you go hitter. If you're going high school pitcher, you're not going underslot, you're going for Groome or Pint because one (or both) fell in your lap. Garrett would be intriguing as an underslot guy about 3 picks later.

 

Twins can't offer that.

Why not? I thought the Competitive Balance picks were tradeable.

 

Why not? I thought the Competitive Balance picks were tradeable.

 

My bad. It's 74 they can't offer because it's a compensation pick for last season, not 73. Regardless, I think the Braves are more strongly pushing for a pick in the first round of CB picks.

 

My bad. It's 74 they can't offer because it's a compensation pick for last season, not 73. Regardless, I think the Braves are more strongly pushing for a pick in the first round of CB picks.

When I saw the tweet about the Braves looking to trade for picks, I thought about a potential Twins-Braves swap centered around Nolasco and, incorrectly, both Compensation Picks. I didn't realize the other one wasn't tradeable. And I hoped the Braves had someone (maybe a overpriced-but-decent reliever) to trade back. But looking at the roster I can't really see anyone of interest, especially now that the Twins have started the season so poorly.

 

Not if you're the Braves. If you're going underslot, you go hitter. If you're going high school pitcher, you're not going underslot, you're going for Groome or Pint because one (or both) fell in your lap. Garrett would be intriguing as an underslot guy about 3 picks later.

I just am not impressed enough with the college hitting in this year's class other than Lewis and Senzel, and they won't sign underslot. Mickey Moniak might sign slightly underslot, but not enough to grab a prep player who has fallen.

 

I have always thought of Cooper Johnson as the high school version of Stuart Turner.

His hit tool is considered better than Stu's was in college and scouts like his swing better but still I get the comp as both are elite defenders.  I think Twins fans forgot/don't know how good behind the plate Turner is.

 

When I saw the tweet about the Braves looking to trade for picks, I thought about a potential Twins-Braves swap centered around Nolasco and, incorrectly, both Compensation Picks. I didn't realize the other one wasn't tradeable. And I hoped the Braves had someone (maybe a overpriced-but-decent reliever) to trade back. But looking at the roster I can't really see anyone of interest, especially now that the Twins have started the season so poorly.

 

Yeah, the Braves were hoping Grilli and Johnson would be solid and bring some value in trade, not necessarily in picks, per se, but in a similar deal that brought them John Gant and Rob Whalen for retreads like Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson. Instead, they've both pitched rough thus far. Hopefully they can pick it up.

 

I just am not impressed enough with the college hitting in this year's class other than Lewis and Senzel, and they won't sign underslot. Mickey Moniak might sign slightly underslot, but not enough to grab a prep player who has fallen.

 

From what is being reported currently, Moniak would sign under by a few million for #3, as he's possibly not going before 8-9 if not #3. Lewis might be a tough sell to sign under slot now, especially with the season he's had this year. I think you might find a few guys willing to sign under slot, especially with the sharp decline in slot numbers just by falling 3 spots in the draft after the top 3.

I'd be curious where Cooper Johnson is projected.  I'd note though that he's not going to be ready any time soon to solve that immediate need at the position, but seems like a nice high upside option.  I'd note though that if memory serves me right, most HS first round catchers don't succeed.  It's a high risk proposition.

Sickels has a nice write up on Dakota Huson of Mississippi State.  http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/5/5/11569152/2016-mlb-draft-dakota-hudson-rhp-mississippi-state-university

 

He's #10 on mlb.com's list so he probably doesn't fall to the Twins but I'd be very happy if he did.

 

I'd be curious where Cooper Johnson is projected.  I'd note though that he's not going to be ready any time soon to solve that immediate need at the position, but seems like a nice high upside option.  I'd note though that if memory serves me right, most HS first round catchers don't succeed.  It's a high risk proposition.

What about Ben Rortvedt? Whatever Johnson's defensive ability, in terms of prep catchers Rortvedt is supposed to have a much higher hitting upside than Cooper Johnson, but still quality D, and is expected to go around 50. If the Twins would be willing to go overslot at 56 and underslot at one of the spots in the 70s, they could probably get him.

Edited May 6, 201610 yr by nytwinsfan

 

What about Ben Rortvedt? Whatever Johnson's defensive ability, in terms of prep catchers Rortvedt is supposed to have a much higher hitting upside than Cooper Johnson, but still quality D, and is expected to go around 50. If the Twins would be willing to go overslot at 56 and underslot at one of the spots in the 70s, they could probably get him.

I saw Rortvedt play in the 2015 WWBA World Championship and he is the real deal. Nice lefty swing with quick wrists that lets him hit with hard contact, it gets a little long at times.  Defensively he still has plenty to work on but one can envision him staying behind the plate.  He's got a really strong quick accurate arm as I saw him gun down three runners.  He's athletic enough that the footwork is there to work with but worse case he could have a future at 3B if he can't keep the mask on.  I talked to him a couple times over the weekend tourney, real nice kid with large hands as well as large shoulder to shoulder frame: not built like your average high schooler as he was showing off his "guns" putting most to shame.

 

I saw Rortvedt play in the 2015 WWBA World Championship and he is the real deal. Nice lefty swing with quick wrists that lets him hit with hard contact, it gets a little long at times.  Defensively he still has plenty to work on but one can envision him staying behind the plate.  He's got a really strong quick accurate arm as I saw him gun down three runners.  He's athletic enough that the footwork is there to work with but worse case he could have a future at 3B if he can't keep the mask on.  I talked to him a couple times over the weekend tourney, real nice kid with large hands as well as large shoulder to shoulder frame: not built like your average high schooler as he was showing off his "guns" putting most to shame.

Wow, thanks Bob, hope Terry Ryan is reading this thread . . . Would love to see him as our 2nd round pick, even if it means going underslot at one of the comp round picks.

Edited May 9, 201610 yr by nytwinsfan

 

Wow, thanks Bob, hope Terry Ryan is reading this thread . . . Would love to see him as our 2nd round pick, even if it means going underslot at one of the comp round picks.

Terry Ryan has little to do with the draft. It comes down to Deron Johnson, Mike Radcliff, the area scouts, and crosscheckers.

 

Terry Ryan has little to do with the draft. It comes down to Deron Johnson, Mike Radcliff, the area scouts, and crosscheckers.

Johnson was there for the duration of the WWBA Championship, bumped into him a few times, he remembered me from the week prior on the Twins backfields and the numerous other times at Instructs, GCL, etc.  I asked him at the time if there was anyone in particular he was watching, he held his cards close as he should.  But I can say I saw him sitting and watching a few teams more intently than others.  In particular, the Atlanta Scout squad yet who could blame him as they featured Carter Kieboom, Josh Lowe, Sean Keating but also 2017 prospects Kyle Hurt and Weston Bizzle. Deron logged alot of miles on his golf cart over the Roger Dean Complex.  He was present when Matt Manning, Tyler Baum, Charles King, Ryan Zeferjahn, Drake Fellows, Zach Linginfelter, etc pitched because I was there too

 

Johnson was there for the duration of the WWBA Championship, bumped into him a few times, he remembered me from the week prior on the Twins backfields and the numerous other times at Instructs, GCL, etc.  I asked him at the time if there was anyone in particular he was watching, he held his cards close as he should.  But I can say I saw him sitting and watching a few teams more intently than others.  In particular, the Atlanta Scout squad yet who could blame him as they featured Carter Kieboom, Josh Lowe, Sean Keating but also 2017 prospects Kyle Hurt and Weston Bizzle. Deron logged alot of miles on his golf cart over the Roger Dean Complex.  He was present when Matt Manning, Tyler Baum, Charles King, Ryan Zeferjahn, Drake Fellows, Zach Linginfelter, etc pitched because I was there too

Lucky you... I only get to see Minnesota prospects.

My first mock is out tomorrow on TT. I think Twins fans will be pleased with who I have at the first round slot.

 

Lucky you... I only get to see Minnesota prospects.

As one scout I talk to frequently said, "all good prospects come through Florida at some point" and it's true because of the all the traveling teams/PerfectGame/etc that take place in the state whether it's Jupiter or Fort Myers.

 

I did just see where BA has the Twins taking Matt Manning in their lastest mock, that would be an absolute coup if they did!

 

My first mock is out tomorrow on TT. I think Twins fans will be pleased with who I have at the first round slot.

I dunno. There is one guy I absolutely want, but we will see.

More importantly...is there ANY talk of top names in the '17 Draft?! Since we are currently drafting #2 then, and will likely at least stay top #5 then. I sure hope that is a top heavy draft of obvious picks.

http://tomahawktake.com/2016/05/09/atlanta-braves-mock-draft-monday/

 

...if you're curious to see how things went. Feel free to ask away for questions in the comments!

 

More importantly...is there ANY talk of top names in the '17 Draft?! Since we are currently drafting #2 then, and will likely at least stay top #5 then. I sure hope that is a top heavy draft of obvious picks.

Yeah, I have been doing more research on that draft than the 2016 draft.

 

http://tomahawktake.com/2016/05/09/atlanta-braves-mock-draft-monday/

 

...if you're curious to see how things went. Feel free to ask away for questions in the comments!

I don't have an account, so is it okay if we talk about it here?

 

I don't have an account, so is it okay if we talk about it here?

 

I suppose