Article: Twins Draft Blayne Enlow, Seven More

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Here are all your results from Day 2 of the MLB Draft. The Twins started it with a bang, using up the money they saved on Day 1 by selecting Blayne Enlow, a projectable, high upside prep starting pitcher who would require a large bonus to keep from his college commitment. His background and seven more are below....Round 3 (76, Slot $755,500) - Blayne Enlow, RHP (St. Amant HS, LA)

 

6'3" right-handed pitcher out of Louisiana high school. Ranked 33rd on Baseball America's board. Very projectable with a low-to-mid 90s fastball that scouts expect to tick upward in the coming years. Looks like this is a tumbler guy the Twins will use their saved-up slot money to sign. Jeremy had predicted Twins would take Enlow at #35.

 

Something else that should be noted, too, is that if Enlow was drafted at #37 and doesn't sign, the Twins lose $1.85 million from their bonus pool as opposed to only $755k if he doesn't sign as the 76th pick.

 

(Update: Rhett Bollinger is reporting that Enlow is expected to sign for $2M.)

 

Round 4 (106, Slot $507,000) - Charlie Barnes, LHP (Clemson)

 

Barnes won't overpower hitters, but is a crafty left-hander with a plus-changeup. Strictly speculation, but Barnes should come in a hair under slot and projects as a back-end starter. On the smaller end (6' 0", 175), Barnes also possesses a curveball and a slider and is smart on the mound, commanding all four pitches well.

 

Scout's take: Not just crafty. Up to 95. Mixes pitches and manipulates ball well. High-floor and could move fast.

 

Round 5 (136, Slot $378,700) - Andrew Bechtold, 3B (Chipola College)

 

A transfer from Maryland, Bechtold has developed a bat that projects for both average and power. He's got the arm to stick at the hot corner as well and also possesses pretty good speed. Bechtold is a third-year college player, but committed to LSU. Though both LEN3 and Doogie report he'll come in over-slot, signability shouldn't be an issue.

.

Round 6 (166, Slot $283,300) - Ricardo De La Torre, SS (Puerto Rico Baseball Academy)

 

Committed to Auburn, De La Torre had first-round buzz before a disappointing spring drop him down draft boards. Considered a solid defensive shortstop, De La Torre has a questionable hit tool. At 6' 2", 175 lbs, De La Torre could fill out and end up at third base, where his arm would play. More likely to stick at shortstop than Lewis, it shouldn't matter as De La Torre could follow in the last few Puerto Ricans' footsteps and get two seasons in the GCL.

 

Scout's take: Athletic, strong, exciting prospect. Skilled enough to play other positions if he grows out of SS, but hope he sticks.

 

Round 7 (196, Slot $220,700) - Ryley Widell, LHP (Central Arizona JC)

 

Widell had a very good season in the JC ranks after transferring from Washington State. He has a fastball that sits around 90 mph and a pretty good change-up. He'll need to continue to develop a breaking ball and refine his fastball. He's committed to UNC and offers some upside in his 6' 4", 205 lb frame.

 

Round 8 (226, Slot $174,400) - Bryan Sammons, LHP (Western Carolina U.)

 

A senior who has had success in the Cape Cod League, Sammons throws a variety of pitches though none are anything special. Senior signs help teams stay under their budget and Sammons was one of the better ones available.

 

Scout's take: Big-bodied, durable lefty. Easy and loose arm action. Sits 89-91 but has plenty of 92,93. Slider, cutter, curveball. All four pitches can be major-league average. Starter. Definite prospect despite being a senior.

Round 9 (256, Slot $148,000) - Mark Contreras, OF (UC Riverside)

 

Contreras is another senior and hit .366 in his final year in college. Very good athlete.

 

Round 10 (286, Slot $137,100) - Calvin Faucher, RHP (UC Irvine)

 

A third senior rounds out the top 10 rounds. Faucher is strictly a bullpen arm - with a 90 mph fastball and a nasty slider. If he can be a successful fastball/slider pitcher, there is a certain big league bullpen that could certainly use some help. (No, I'm not saying this year.)

 

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That's it for Day 2. The Twins are, as one front office exec says, "all out of money", so it would appear they will play Wednesday relatively straight. Look for more college pitchers, catchers and guys who can hit.

 

Expect there to be a a few hard-to-sign guys drafted just in case money frees up as a backup plan.

 

Hope you enjoyed Day 2. See you for Day 3 tomorrow.

 

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[Carneal&Gordon]

I'm with you Jeremy, let's ride this out!

 

I love the Royce Lewis pick and the fact the new regime doesn't care about Boras. So tired of Minnesota fans fearing his guys.

[HitInAPinch]

 

I'm with you Jeremy, let's ride this out! I love the Royce Lewis pick and the fact the new regime doesn't care about Boras. So tired of Minnesota fans fearing his guys.

I feel the same about Boras.  Run with Lewis as long as you can.  If it ever becomes that time for Boras to start thinking about bigger contract money, you should already know it's time to trade Lewis.  I'm a little tired of the Twins holding onto the "Hometown Boys".  

[Tommygun921]

Only issue I see with the Lewis selection (Without the money involved) is it seems shortstop (of he sticks their like they believe he will) is of little need in the system currently. Can never have to many prospects at any given position. Especially up the middle. But doesn't seem it was necessary to spend the 1-1 pick on the position. Let's hope he turns out to be the Twins version of Derek Jeter and there's nothing to worry about.

[John Bonnes]

Anyone have a list of best remaining players in the draft?

[Teflon]

 

Anyone have a list of best remaining players in the draft?

 

Best Draft Talent Available on Day Two

 

from Baseball America

 

Also 2017 Draft: The BA 500

Edited June 13, 2017 by Teflon

[John Bonnes]

 

Best Draft Talent Available on Day Two

 

from Baseball America

 

Also 2017 Draft: The BA 500

 

Earliest remaining is a high school shortstop at #29.

 

Only five remaining under #50 and four of them are high schoolers.

 

A dozen left under #70 and all but two are high schoolers.

 

If the Twins' strategy was to use the extra $1M they saved to approach remaining players overnight and snag a top 40 pick, it doesn't appear there is a lot left.

[Seth Stohs]

My guess is they give an extra $100K to $200K to several guys over their last 38 picks.

[TNTwinsFan]

For some reason I gravitated towards the name Tristan Beck RHP out of Stanford. Injured this year with a back issue and did't pitch. However, I read a couple of scouting reports; one in particular mentioned he has a plus FB at 90-94 (and may tick up as he fills out, still a young kid) and a DOUBLE PLUS curve. He was supossedly a First Round talent...perhaps he's worth a flyer, but, will need to be paid a bit over slot in order to lure him away from all those beautiful Stanford chicks and the Pacific Coast??

[Winston Smith]

Anyone know the odds of a 3rd round or later guy beoming a productive player?

[rujellis]

My only issue with last night was Radcliffe comments around big things at 35 and 37.  I don't think another under slot deal(or two) can be considered a 'big thing'.  Because in my mind, 1:1 being under slot is completely independent of #35 also being able to go under slot as well.  So it can't be what Radcliffe was alluding too...I have to believe that someone sniped a player early that neither MIN or player's agent expected...

 

So we see what today brings.  My general hope is that nearly every single one of them is signable high school players.  This is not the NFL draft where you can fill needs with 1st or 2nd year players at every round in draft.  It feels we went low floor/high ceiling with 2 of 3 picks...no point in stopping now.  

 

 

[mikelink45]

Call me confused.  We have Polanco, Gordon, Vielma, Palacios, and Javier at SS.  I know we can convert someone to second base, but this young group should give us some security for a good amount of time, so we use number one pick and add to this group?  I am fine with the number two pick - Mauer is winding down and so is his contract.  But no pitcher until number 3?  The minors are not bristling with great ace prospects and we seem to need at least 8 pitchers per year (maybe 10) to complete the rotation demands of the season.  

[ThejacKmp]

 

Call me confused.  We have Polanco, Gordon, Vielma, Palacios, and Javier at SS.  I know we can convert someone to second base, but this young group should give us some security for a good amount of time, so we use number one pick and add to this group?  I am fine with the number two pick - Mauer is winding down and so is his contract.  But no pitcher until number 3?  The minors are not bristling with great ace prospects and we seem to need at least 8 pitchers per year (maybe 10) to complete the rotation demands of the season.  

 

Lewis has been extensively talked about as a CF. While the Twins have some depth in the OF, Lewis could fit very nicely as a CF-in-a-corner in four or five years. Can't pay so much attention to the position drafted at.

[luckylager]

 

For some reason I gravitated towards the name Tristan Beck RHP out of Stanford. Injured this year with a back issue and did't pitch. However, I read a couple of scouting reports; one in particular mentioned he has a plus FB at 90-94 (and may tick up as he fills out, still a young kid) and a DOUBLE PLUS curve. He was supossedly a First Round talent...perhaps he's worth a flyer, but, will need to be paid a bit over slot in order to lure him away from all those beautiful Stanford chicks and the Pacific Coast??

I like him too. Sounds like the back injury, once healed, will not be a concern. A good candidate to throw some extra money at and pry away from Stanford. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm guessing they are going to go heavy on HS talent today... I would hope so at least.

[Comrade Bork]

 

I'm guessing they are going to go heavy on HS talent today... I would hope so at least.

I'd go for 8 HS lefties lol

[Blackjack]

What time do the Twins pick?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Anyone know the odds of a 3rd round or later guy beoming a productive player?

 

Very low. It's somewhere around here, maybe round 4 or 5, where it is random. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

What time do the Twins pick?

12 noon central time.

[joey emerson]

 

Call me confused.  We have Polanco, Gordon, Vielma, Palacios, and Javier at SS.  I know we can convert someone to second base, but this young group should give us some security for a good amount of time, so we use number one pick and add to this group?  I am fine with the number two pick - Mauer is winding down and so is his contract.  But no pitcher until number 3?  The minors are not bristling with great ace prospects and we seem to need at least 8 pitchers per year (maybe 10) to complete the rotation demands of the season.  

you dont draft out of depth or need you try to get players who you see as major leagues assets. just look at the cubs they had Javier Baez, Addison Russell, and Gleyber Torres all in the minior at the same time. look at the braves this year they have there 3 tops prospects all short stops and they are all ranked in the top 10 short stop prospects in baseball. and look at the astros they took correa 1-1 then 3 years later they to alex bregman with the second pick in the draft 1-2

[Vanimal46]

 

My guess is they give an extra $100K to $200K to several guys over their last 38 picks.

 

So with that strategy, is it wrong to assume that the FO doesn't feel there's enough depth in the organization? 

With some of us fans, we feel there is org depth in the minors, but no star power. So I'm not sure I like this strategy. 

[Seth Stohs]

Some site predicts the Twins will take HS OF Tristan Lulz with the first pick of the 3rd round... 

 

 

https://twitter.com/jwgravley/status/874624679046262784 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

So with that strategy, is it wrong to assume that the FO doesn't feel there's enough depth in the organization? 

With some of us fans, we feel there is org depth in the minors, but no star power. So I'm not sure I like this strategy. 

 

For all the talk about upside, HS players have the most upside (and more risk too for that matter). It may be that they weren't big fans of the college players at all in this draft so they felt it would be better to buy a bunch of HS kids away from college with the hopes that one or two really hit it big. 

 

Think of it as getting a McKay/Wright type guy before he goes to college.  Neither were 1st round type selections in HS.

[Willihammer]

 

Some site predicts the Twins will take HS OF Tristan Lulz with the first pick of the 3rd round... 

 

 

https://twitter.com/jwgravley/status/874624679046262784 

Um, the Brewers took him at #34.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Um, the Brewers took him at #34.

Nope, that was Tristen Lutz. This is Tristan Lulz! Totally different guy.

[TRex]

... I wouldn't mind if it was supposed to be Tristan Beck (who knew Tristan was such a common name)!

[Vanimal46]

 

... I wouldn't mind if it was supposed to be Tristan Beck (who knew Tristan was such a common name)!

 

Was there a famous Tristan in 1998-1999 that all of these kids were named after? 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Then on Day 2 of the draft, Falvey emerged from the war room to discover his current big league club is both in first place and having a pitching crisis of epic proportions.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Was there a famous Tristan in 1998-1999 that all of these kids were named after?

From Wikipedia:

 

The recent rise in the name Tristan is also attributed to a movie character of the same name played by actor Brad Pitt in the film Legends of the Fall.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_(name)

[Otto von Ballpark]

My guess is they give an extra $100K to $200K to several guys over their last 38 picks.

That seems like a good way to spend it all down, but a bad way to actually get the most or the best talent...