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Article: Alex Kirilloff Ready To Shine For Twins

Seth Stohs
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Seth Stohs

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For the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, the Minnesota Twins were coming off of a winning season that awarded them just the 15th overall pick. Not selecting in the top 10 for the first time in a while, Minnesota had a few options that would be presented to them. When the dust settled, they ended up going with the power-hitting outfielder Alex Kirilloff. The Pennsylvania native has plenty of potential, and he's ready to unleash it for the Twins.

 

Kirilloff's prep career came to an end one win short of a Pennsylvania State Championship. Losing in the title game, you can bet his hunger to get back on the field and compete in the Twins organization remains high. He's likely going to head to Elizabethton to start his professional career, and his bat should be the thing that carries him early on.Recently, I was able to catch up with the Twins top pick. We talked about his game, the Twins, and a few things in between. Here's what he had to say:

 

Off The Baggy: Tell me a little bit about your game. Most of the national outlets have described you as a solid all-around athlete with a great hit tool and solid arm strength. Likely starting your professional career in the outfield, how would you describe your game as a whole?

 

Alex Kirilloff: I pride myself on being as well-rounded of a player as I can be. I work very hard on all parts of my game. I feel that my biggest asset is my bat.

 

OTB: I believe you really burst onto the power scene with a recent home run derby performance. Was that your first home run contest and what was the experience like?

 

AK: I was 11 years old in my first home run derby. I had just started using a leg lift with my swing, which helped me hit the ball further immediately. I beat a 12 year old who was the favorite to win the whole thing. So the only two home run derbys I have ever been in I won.

 

OTB: Being from Pennsylvania, I'd assume you're a Pirates fan. I saw that longtime Pittsburgh fan favorite Neil Walker congratulated you on Twitter. Who is a big leaguer that you have modeled your game after?

 

AK: Neil Walker is first class and I now have even more respect for him than I already had before. I like watching Andrew McCutchen, he is a pretty well-rounded player himself so I am inspired by him.

 

OTB: When looking at the Twins, what do you know about the organization, its players, and the state of Minnesota as a whole?

 

AK: I know Minnesota is cold...but it's okay, I am used to it coming from Pittsburgh! With two World Series titles, Hall of Fame players throughout the decades, and great traditions built, I am excited to be a part of the culture, history, and richness of the organization.

 

OTB: Tell me about your draft day experience. I believe you got to watch it unfold with teammates and friends as you were still wrapping up your season. What was the call like, and did you have any indications it was going to come from the Twins?

 

AK: It was a great experience being able to share it with my teammates, coaches, family, girlfriend, and friends. The call was a dream come true.

 

OTB: There's been some talk already that Minnesota may have you skip the Gulf Coast League and head straight to Elizabethton for your professional debut. What are your goals in your first professional season?

 

AK: My goals are to train, develop, learn, adapt, and play to the best of my ability while embracing the lifestyle of professional baseball. Let the rest take care of itself.

 

OTB: Let's end it with this, when Twins fans look ate Alex Kirilloff the baseball player, what do you hope they notice most?

 

AK: I hope they notice the baseball player and person that they want representing their fan base, city and baseball team.

 

With a great head on his shoulders, it seems Kirilloff is going to start off on a great foot for the Twins. He is headed to Minnesota this week and then will begin his professional career in the organization. He's going to be fun to watch, and should be another high-ceiling prospect Minnesota can add to the farm system. Recently, he was included in the Off The Baggy Top 15 update.

 

For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

 

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Loosey GCL Twins

Loosey

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It would be nice if the Twins can get sort of lucky in that he comes out and greatly exceeds expectations relative to his draft position. 

 

He seems to be a very good hitter that already has the power tool pre-developed  unlike most of the younger guys who are good hitters and teams hope the power eventually develops.

 

I'm excited for this kids future either way.  Good Luck!

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Monkeypaws GCL Twins

Monkeypaws

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It would be nice if the Twins can get sort of lucky in that he comes out and greatly exceeds expectations relative to his draft position. 

 

Luckily, in baseball you can score gems outside the first few picks. None of Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, Mike Trout, Andrew McCutcheon, or Chris Sale were drafted higher than 7th overall, and the latter 4 were all 11th or later. Rarely is the best player for a draft class the top pick.

 

He got the tools and projectability that give him a pretty lofty ceiling.

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Loosey GCL Twins

Loosey

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Luckily, in baseball you can score gems outside the first few picks. None of Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, Mike Trout, Andrew McCutcheon, or Chris Sale were drafted higher than 7th overall, and the latter 4 were all 11th or later. Rarely is the best player for a draft class the top pick.

 

He got the tools and projectability that give him a pretty lofty ceiling.

Exactly my point!  It would be nice if for once that player happens to be on the Twins.  They have had a lot of mid to late first round picks over the last 15 years.  Some have been good, but for the most part none have greatly exceeded expectations like the guys you listed above.  I am hoping this is the guy to change that.

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wsnydes St Paul Saints

wsnydes

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Luckily, in baseball you can score gems outside the first few picks. None of Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, Mike Trout, Andrew McCutcheon, or Chris Sale were drafted higher than 7th overall, and the latter 4 were all 11th or later. Rarely is the best player for a draft class the top pick.

 

He got the tools and projectability that give him a pretty lofty ceiling.

Wasn't Ken Griffey, Jr the first #1 overall pick to be elected to the HoF?

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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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It would be nice if the Twins can get sort of lucky in that he comes out and greatly exceeds expectations relative to his draft position. 

 

He seems to be a very good hitter that already has the power tool pre-developed  unlike most of the younger guys who are good hitters and teams hope the power eventually develops.

 

I'm excited for this kids future either way.  Good Luck!

 

Yeah, here's to hoping he does a Mike Trout on the majors...

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twinsfanstreif Draft Eligible

twinsfanstreif

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Wasn't Ken Griffey, Jr the first #1 overall pick to be elected to the HoF?

Not sure the answer to this question but scouting has changed so much with technology in the past 25 years, it's a lot easier to hit on picks than it was back in the day. GMs before the 90s wouldn't have even seen most of the 1st rounders before the draft, it was all based on area scouts and hearsay. That being said projectability is super difficult in baseball with limited information. Trout is an example, being a NJ kid his season didn't start until late and he had limited exposure until late in the process. That along with mediocre competition made teams uncomfortable picking him high when it was unclear what he had, there were glimpses but not enough solid assessment at that point. I hope Kirilloff is the same thing being from PA. I do think teams are catching on to northern prospects more than it seemed like in past years

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twinsfanstreif Draft Eligible

twinsfanstreif

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Trade him now before his value drops!
Elizabethton to the bigs? See you in 6 years if at all. Good luck.

Actually he has an advanced bat and prospects like that tend to move quickly in the minors. I'm not saying you're wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him in like 4 years, at least as a late season call up

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