Article: Official Twins Daily Day Two Draft Thread

[gunnarthor]

Hackimer has a good name for a reliever.  He's a senior sign so will might come in a bit under slot but it looks like he could have a Neshek like career if it all goes together. 

[d-mac]

 

mlb ranked him #82 overall.  

 

So? Their rankings aren't gospel. 

[d-mac]

 

BA had him at #100

 

Again, so?

[d-mac]

 

Hackimer has a good name for a reliever.  He's a senior sign so will might come in a bit under slot but it looks like he could have a Neshek like career if it all goes together. 

Yeah I see Neshek in him too. Little less herky-jerky delivery. Put up some redonkulous K/9 rates on the Cape and as a senior. Now these are the kind of signability picks I like. Find a college seniors with some great stats that traditional scouts have knocked for whatever reason and see if they can keep performing as a pro.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

So? Their rankings aren't gospel. 

 

 

Again, so?

Gives an idea of where the consensus of their scouting departments have them.  Also gives a good idea if a player that was rated #250 taken #100 is a likely candidate to sign underslot.

Edited June 10, 2016 by Bob Sacamento

[jimbo92107]

Hackimer has a good name for a reliever.  He's a senior sign so will might come in a bit under slot but it looks like he could have a Neshek like career if it all goes together. 

Let's hope he's Neshek without the arm trouble. 

[gunnarthor]

 

So? Their rankings aren't gospel. 

No, but it shows that the player was highly regarded despite the numbers you were showing.  Your complaint is based on his stats.  We're just showing you that legit publications evaluated him at about the point the Twins nabbed him.  

[Bob Sacamento]

Hackimer's Twitter handle is creative @HackAttackimer

 

St. Johns Baseball #17, drafted by the Mets one time, said no and then they got really good, sidewinding since 2012, very opinionated about Game Of Thrones

 

 

 

He also had a retweet about the Twins from Driveline's Kyle Boddy a couple months ago:

 

Tom Hackimer Retweeted
Kyle Boddy ‏@drivelinebases  Apr 23
The Twins: The pitchers pitch to contact and the hitters seek to make contact. Someone tell the org this makes no sense simultaneously

 

 

[d-mac]

 

No, but it shows that the player was highly regarded despite the numbers you were showing.  Your complaint is based on his stats.  We're just showing you that legit publications evaluated him at about the point the Twins nabbed him.  

 

Right, but those publications tend to weight actual performance in college very lightly. If the stats don't back up what the eye test says, then it is hard not to doubt them. In this particular case- that is moreso in this instance because his lack of probably the most important determining statistical factor for a college pitcher- K rate. Plus, his level of competition was severely lacking. He did not play in a power conference, nor did he play in the Cape with the top competition. Furthermore, at this point he is only a one pitch pitcher- decent fastball, but not much else. Do you trust the Twins' development staff to teach him out pitches? Because based on their track record, i sure don't.

[gunnarthor]

 

Right, but those publications tend to weight actual performance in college very lightly. If the stats don't back up what the eye test says, then it is hard not to doubt them. In this particular case- that is moreso in this instance because his lack of probably the most important determining statistical factor for a college pitcher- K rate. Plus, his level of competition was severely lacking. He did not play in a power conference, nor did he play in the Cape with the top competition. Furthermore, at this point he is only a one pitch pitcher- decent fastball, but not much else. Do you trust the Twins' development staff to teach him out pitches? Because based on their track record, i sure don't.

Sure.  That development staff looks like they are doing good things to Duffey, Thorpe, Gonsalves, Jay, etc. Not every pitcher is going to make it (Meyer, so sad) but I do think Steil's done a very nice job as farm director.  Obviously, we need a few more years to see but I think the Twins can coach him up.  I'm not a scout so I have no idea if a pick is good.  I can modify my opinion a bit by what is publicly available (say, BA reports) and by reports from someone like Jeremy.  A hour ago, I had never heard of Jax but the reports seem to suggest he was a fine pick at this point in the draft.  His stats don't alter that b/c we shouldn't scout stat lines at this point.

[Bob Sacamento]

Interesting pick in prep Canadian RHPJordan Balazovic, he looks "projectable" as the scouts say.  Hoping the Twins staff can hammer out his inconsistent mechanics.

 

BA ranked him #134 in the draft

 

A year after a historic Canadian high school class, Balazovic is the top-ranked prep Canuck in this year's class. The righthander has a lean, projectable frame with wide shoulders and a high waist. Balazovic's developmental trajectory is positive; early last summer he pitched with his fastball sitting at 84-88. By the fall, he was sitting 88-89 and bumping 90. This spring, he's shown slightly improved velocity, touching as high as 93 and sitting comfortably at 89-90. Balazovic has a polished changeup that he can locate at the knees with late fade and tumbling action. He throws a breaking ball with 11-to-5 shape in the mid-70s. Balazovic gets his core extended over his front side well and extends his glove hand high for extra deception. Scouts note how rare it is for him to be squared up. Balazovic is committed to Auburn, but for the 2017 class; if he doesn't get the bonus money he's looking for, he'll simply go to 13th grade, as Canada's schools have, and try again next year. He has a head whack at release, but he has an otherwise clean delivery. Balazovic is slightly young for this year's class, and won't turn 18 until September.

 

 

[d-mac]

 

Sure.  That development staff looks like they are doing good things to Duffey, Thorpe, Gonsalves, Jay, etc. Not every pitcher is going to make it (Meyer, so sad) but I do think Steil's done a very nice job as farm director.  Obviously, we need a few more years to see but I think the Twins can coach him up.  I'm not a scout so I have no idea if a pick is good.  I can modify my opinion a bit by what is publicly available (say, BA reports) and by reports from someone like Jeremy.  A hour ago, I had never heard of Jax but the reports seem to suggest he was a fine pick at this point in the draft.  His stats don't alter that b/c we shouldn't scout stat lines at this point.

 

The other pitchers had more than one pitch when they came to the org. I have yet to see the Twins develop a starter (or reliever for that matter) and turn them into a major league pitcher with only one above average pitch. 

 

I think stats verify what traditional scouting sees and traditional scouting adds context to what stats cannot see. The lack of strikeouts and the lack of quality competition tells me that he will struggle to get pro hitters out above A ball. Not to mention what to do about his military commitment.

 

I just think there was better value available for the Twins at #93 than what Jax brings. Heck, there are plenty of over performing college seniors available every year that can be had for peanuts in the second day. 

[d-mac]

 

Interesting pick in prep Canadian RHPJordan Balazovic, he looks "projectable" as the scouts say.  Hoping the Twins staff can hammer out his inconsistent mechanics.

 

BA ranked him #134 in the draft

 

If he's signable, I like it. Really only have a problem with Jax so far this draft. We shall see how it shakes out, but I like what the Twins are doing so far- not how i would have done it, but I think they are checking some empty boxes. 

[nicksaviking]

 

If he's signable, I like it. Really only have a problem with Jax so far this draft. We shall see how it shakes out, but I like what the Twins are doing so far- not how i would have done it, but I think they are checking some empty boxes. 

 

I hope he's signable, but I'll gladly take the extra pick next year if he's not.

[d-mac]

 

I hope he's signable, but I'll gladly take the extra pick next year if he's not.

 

Picks are not protected after round 2 or 3 I believe. 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Picks are not protected after round 2 or 3 I believe. 

Round 3 from my memory, that's why you always want to sign those guys elsewise it can screw your whole draft because if that player doesn't sign, his bonus allotment gets erased from your pool.

[Bob Sacamento]

BA did a podcast after Day 1 synopsis:

 

All 4 guys have plus hit tool.

 

Kirilloff, bat speed, power, above average runner, 60 arm he's an OF only 1B in circuits because teams needed it.

 

Rortvedt hitting catcher, betting on the bat, shown little bit of power, 

 

Baddoo is "yabba dabba do", fits better in LF, painful looking arm action, plus bat

 

Miranda great hit tool, hands fluid, defensive spot up in the air

[Bob Sacamento]

This one looks like a little stretch here, maybe saving some $ in Alex Schnick.  His HS is also Stephan Gonsalves' HS as well.

 

BA rated him #498 out of 500

 

A former teammate of Brady Aiken's at San Diego's Cathedral Catholic High, Schick missed most of his junior season with a dislocated kneecap, returning late to pitch 13 innings as California endured a disappointing season. Schick's curveball is his best pitch, earning some plus grades from a higher slot. He sits 93-94 mph with his fastball in short bursts, and while he's made four starts the last two years, he profiles best as a reliever.

 

 

[Bob Sacamento]

There goes Kyle Cody in the 6th Rd to the Rangers, looks like he should have took the Twins 2nd round money last year even at a reduced rate will be higher than he gets now.

[Bob Sacamento]

7th round Matt Albanese OF #431 in BA ranking

 

A three-year starter at Bryant, Albanese was a key piece on the Bulldogs' 47-win team this spring until a broken hand sidelined him for the postseason. Even though he played 10 games fewer than his teammates, Albanese still led the team with 11 home runs, batting .366/.471/.639 in 183 at-bats. Playing in a hitter's park, evaluators are unsure how much his power will translate to the next level. His load and swing are long, which might make it more difficult to catch up to premium velocity. He's a fringy, average prospect all around, but as a three-year college performer with some pop, he'll get a look.

 

 

[Bob Sacamento]

8th Round corner OF Shane Carrier a Sophomore out of Fullerton College (a Community College not Cal State Fullerton), kid went from 6'1 195 last year to 6'2 220.  Right handed hitter with big pop 12 hrs in 186 AB.  He's not ranked on any chart.  Cool twitter handle @SonOfZeus27

 

His 2016 stat line in 186 AB .387/.426/.694

 

[d-mac]

 

8th Round corner OF Shane Carrier a Sophomore out of Fullerton College (a Community College not Cal State Fullerton), kid went from 6'1 195 last year to 6'2 220.  Right handed hitter with big pop 12 hrs in 186 AB.  He's not ranked on any chart.  Cool twitter handle @SonOfZeus27

 

His 2016 stat line in 186 AB .387/.426/.694

 

Doesn't look like he walked much for someone with power at a JC. Oh well, at this point it's find players with a tool and see if it will carry them. 

[Bob Sacamento]

Mitchell Kranson 5'9 210lb C/UT  aka "EL Gaucho"

 

Known for his well manicured moustache

Bulked up w weightlifting in the offseason

Twins plan to use him as a C

 

In the 10th Rd the Twins selected SS Brandon Lopez rated 432 prospect by BA

 

Lopez has been Miami's starting shortstop for four years, and is finishing his career with a flourish. He is the Hurricanes' leading hitter this year, performing so well (he hit .392) that he was inserted into the cleanup spot in the lineup to protect Zack Collins. Lopez is not a prototypical cleanup hitter, and hits for average over power. The righthanded hitter is aggressive at the plate, but finds a way to put the bat on the ball. Lopez is a steady defender, but lacks the range to remain at shortstop as a professional. He likely profiles best as a utility infielder, unless he is able to add more range or power. But he could provide a team good value as a senior sign who has overcome past maturity issues.

 

 

[ScottyB]

 

Mitchell Kranson 5'9 210lb C/UT  aka "EL Gaucho"

 

Known for his well manicured moustache

Bulked up w weightlifting in the offseason

Twins plan to use him as a C

 

What intrigues me about Kranson is that he also played 3B and 2B.  A possible backup C and utility guy?  I think about a Brandon Inge type.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

What intrigues me about Kranson is that he also played 3B and 2B.  A possible backup C and utility guy?  I think about a Brandon Inge type.

Deron Johnson has already said they're going to try him out at catcher first but yes it's a good fallback option for him.  He's considered a bat first guy anyway.