Article: Twins Select Brent Rooker, Landon Leach On Day 1

[nytwinsfan]

Is Rooker going to play OF or 1B?

[AZTwin]

scouting reports of Leach sound a lot like like Hudson Boyd's did to me, hopefully he can have more success than Hudson did

Was about to type this as well from reading the scouting report

[mlhouse]

I get the baseball draft is wayyyyyyyyyy more difficult to rank and "mock" than the NFL draft, particularly since some of the aspects of the draft are not that public such as "signability", and this is demonstrated in the range of the ranks of players selected even in the top 2 rounds:  In round 1, MLB.com #49 went 16, #98 went Comp A pick 31, #187 went 2nd round pick 67.

 

I get all that.  

 

But, it seemed to me that the Twins picks some guys that had a consensus ranking way lower than when we selected.  

The guy we selected 1.1 was ranked 5th by Baseball America, MLB, and Keith Law.  Everyone rushed to the conclusion that the Twins were trying to save draft slot money and we would be "wowed" with the remaining 2 picks in Day 1.

 

Then at #35, their Comp A selection, the Twins selected Brent Rooker who looks like a nice prospect, but a) he is a college senior with limited negotiating power to go over slot and was ranked #45 by BA, #50 by MLB, and #91 by Keith Law.  Again, I think he is actually a better prospect than those rankings because I value the "wood bat" data, but again the consensus is we reached.

 

Then at #37 we picks Landon Leach.  Again, were is the "BOOM".  Leach has is committed to a solid baseball school, Texas, but I don't think he was the type of prospect that anyone thinks we need to go over slot.  He was ranked #85 by BA, #101 by MLB, and wan't in Law's top 100.

 

Again, I get it.  Most of these rankings are based on composite views they get from sources, and Keith Law has almost certainly never seen Landon Leach pitch.  WIth his 3 pitch arsenal he could one day be the best starter from this draft.  We really don't know.

 

But if Lewis isn't signing for under slot I just dont see the selection.  He is a solid draft pick but he probably isn't going to be a MLB SS and he might not have enough power to be a corner outfielder. He is a lot of projection and a lot of development, and his ETA is many years off.

 

But, neither of the two other Day 1 picks look like overslot guys, were ranked way lower than we took them, and I just don't see the logic in what the Twins are doing.

[Kwak]

Only ONE pitcher in the first three!  One might think the Twins were San Diego.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Rooker going to play OF or 1B?

 

Drafted as an outfielder.

[JustinCB]

So, who's left?  Anyone have a link to best remaining players? I am looking for even a little hope from what, so far, must be considered an unmitigated disaster.

 

And, where would on slot these three among the current top prospects for the Twins?  #5, #15 and #20?

 

https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/undrafted

 

There's still some low 1st round/high second round level talent available, although at this point I'm not encouraged.

[wagwan]

This is quite depressing. Lewis can't hit and doesnt have a position. The next guy is a DH who will be 23 in class A ball,playing behind lewin diaz who is two years younger. And then we got the Canadian Kohl Stewart. At least we won't have to suffer through hearing the cliche" we couldn't believe he was still available " line. What a huge disappointment.

[wagwan]

And as far as the new additions ranking in Twins prospect lists, Lewis should be ranked lower than Javier and Palacios. Rooker will struggle to be a top 50 Twin. And Leach should not be ranked.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

You are saying Leach is committed to Texas.

 

That tells me that he is not going to sign, and the Twins wasted a draft pick, but that can't be right, either. Can you explain that better?

[JustinCB]

And as far as the new additions ranking in Twins prospect lists, Lewis should be ranked lower than Javier and Palacios. Rooker will struggle to be a top 50 Twin. And Leach should not be ranked.

 

This is a SLIGHT exaggeration me thinks.

[jsteve96]

 

29 Nick Allen SS  Francis Parker School, San Diego Calif. 7

33 Blayne Enlow RHP  St. Amant (La.) HS La. 1

38 Tanner Burns RHP  Decatur (Ala.) HS Ala. 2

39 Brady McConnell SS  Merritt Island (Fla.) HS Fla. 4

41 Tristan Beck RHP  Stanford Calif. 9
 

as many SS as we have I still would be really happy if we took McConnell.. 

[jsteve96]

 

You are saying Leach is committed to Texas.

That tells me that he is not going to sign, and the Twins wasted a draft pick, but that can't be right, either. Can you explain that better?

They 'commit' for contract bargaining, team pays more so they dont go to college.

[jsteve96]

Jeez. bunch of debby downers.. I haven't been this excited over a draft since Buxton/Berrios! gonna trust the front office with Lewis and I think that Rooker is going to be a masher for years. not sure on the pitcher but he hit 96 this spring with a 3 pitches so I'll keep faith in Favine! 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

They 'commit' for contract bargaining, team pays more so they dont go to college.

Thanks; I see "commit" is not binding in this context. I am no good at speaking this stuff.

[HitInAPinch]

Falvey on his selection of Lewis.  A little tidbit on Boras.

 

http://stmedia.stimg.co/FALVEY21.JPG?w=600&h=600

[diehardtwinsfan]

If you read the draft thread, Rooker was someone a lot of us were pretty high on.  I don't mind that pick too much.  I have to wonder about the other HS picks.  Those are drafts for down the road, with very little to help them now, and they need pitching help now.  To me, that says they will be spending big this offseason.  They may have to in order to compete.

[Old Twins Cap]

I think baseball is changing.  Again.

 

Drafting pitching is seen as a huge risk, not knowing who will crater, get injured or just not work out.

 

So, you wait, and obtain pitching once the smoke clears.

 

Speed, power, defense, those are the elements you can draft and develop.  Imagine if Lewis approaches a Lindor or Correa in terms of speed, power and arm.

 

You have a top of the line-up, plus defender, who can run and pressure the other team.

 

Pitching?  You get it in other ways.

[adorduan]

 

I think baseball is changing.  Again.

 

Drafting pitching is seen as a huge risk, not knowing who will crater, get injured or just not work out.

 

So, you wait, and obtain pitching once the smoke clears.

 

Speed, power, defense, those are the elements you can draft and develop.  Imagine if Lewis approaches a Lindor or Correa in terms of speed, power and arm.

 

You have a top of the line-up, plus defender, who can run and pressure the other team.

 

Pitching?  You get it in other ways.

How?  Teams like the Twins can't/won't go out and spend for an ace in the free agent market.

[mikelink45]

Sorry, but this feels like the new FO was trying to demonstrate how smart they are and I think they got outsmarted.  With all the quality shortstops at a young age, maybe we are going to package them and trade for a top of the line starter. 

 

I feel no compunction to go easy and be patient with the FO.  At this stage the Breslow, Belisle, Wilf, Heston, Giminez, Castro moves are not that impressive and neither is the draft.  After the last six years the last thing that the team should expect is patience.  It is their job to prove to us that they know what they are doing.  

The players that are making a difference this year are from TR and Bill Smith.                                                                       

[rujellis]

Well in fairness we haven't really seen the 'new' Twins way.  Perhaps Falvine is more willing to use FA to fill needs(or trades).  I think the issue is applying Terry Ryan era logic to Falvine era decisions.  I still need the twins to prove it to me that they will approach roster construction differently, but need to give them a chance to do so as well.  

 

Maybe we took R Lewis with the thought that Polanco/Palacios/Vielma can man the position for a few years, and N Gordon becomes trade chip number 1 in getting a good pitcher via trade.  

 

Regardless, I am hopeful that Falvine understands we need pitching.  :-)

[drivlikejehu]

Unlike every person on this board, Falvey and Levine's job depends on acquiring pitching. So I very, very seriously doubt it's something they are disinterested in.

[wavedog]

Here is a video of Rooker as he was getting drafted

 

https://www.facebook.com/HailStateBB/videos/1759344020747427/

 

 

 

 

[wagwan]

This is a SLIGHT exaggeration me thinks.

The Twins drafted Rooker in the 38th rd when he was a junior. That puts him below most of the twins draftees.

[drivlikejehu]

Rooker was a really popular pick on here before the Twins actually, you know, picked him.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I have a feeling the Twins will regret not taking Wright, or Gore...

 

Me too. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I think baseball is changing.  Again.

 

Drafting pitching is seen as a huge risk, not knowing who will crater, get injured or just not work out.

 

So, you wait, and obtain pitching once the smoke clears.

 

Speed, power, defense, those are the elements you can draft and develop.  Imagine if Lewis approaches a Lindor or Correa in terms of speed, power and arm.

 

You have a top of the line-up, plus defender, who can run and pressure the other team.

 

Pitching?  You get it in other ways.

 

How? They eon't sign big time FAs, will they?

 

So, trade prospects?

[jsteve96]

 

Sorry, but this feels like the new FO was trying to demonstrate how smart they are and I think they got outsmarted.  With all the quality shortstops at a young age, maybe we are going to package them and trade for a top of the line starter. 

 

I feel no compunction to go easy and be patient with the FO.  At this stage the Breslow, Belisle, Wilf, Heston, Giminez, Castro moves are not that impressive and neither is the draft.  After the last six years the last thing that the team should expect is patience.  It is their job to prove to us that they know what they are doing.  

The players that are making a difference this year are from TR and Bill Smith.                                                                       

um Castro is about a league average hitter so far according to fangraphs, and above average defensive catcher to go along with it... at 8 Million a year thats plenty fine with me. The other top catching options were Weiters and Ramos. Castro has a 0.8 fWAR compared to Weiters 0.5 and Ramos 0 games played. dont complain when they got the right guy so far.

[Willihammer]

Rooker has Goldschmidt upside. Maybe not Goldy but Goldy light. Speed-power guy, with emphasis on power. The only question will be contact.

 

But there were multiple exit velo readings in the 108 mph+ range. He OPS'ed north of 1.300. He's a good bet to win the Golden Spikes which, you all should look up the names of recent winners.

[TRex]

 

How? They eon't sign big time FAs, will they?

 

So, trade prospects?

Do we actually know what 'they' will do? I guess if you are extrapolating from their first off-season you can make that statement, but I prefer a plan in which they spend the first year taking stock of what they have.

[Squirrel]

How? They eon't sign big time FAs, will they?

 

So, trade prospects?

TR didn't in the past. Not sure what Falvine will do in the future. Id say more likely a trade. Again not what TR did in the past, but I'll see what Falvine does in the next year with this current season, the next off-season, and into the midway point next season.