Article: Twins Draft Blayne Enlow, Seven More

[drjim]

It's hard because while I agree wholeheartedly with the Twins organization having some troubling issues with spending money, the criticism cites the one time I don't think it's fair to call them cheap. It's like when someone is bashing the political party you hate but they're doing it by citing the one thing you don't mind about that party.

 

Unless the Twins don't spend their allotted draft money overall (seems unlikely), they can't be called cheap for the draft. They didn't even invent this strategy.

 

I also feel very uncomfortable about the language used: those that aren't critical are the unreasonable ones. I think it's pretty clear that the people blasting the Twins for being cheap for the Lewis pick are ignorant of the draft process. You can call it stupid, you can say their strategy is bogus but calling it cheap shows a reflexive knee-jerk assumption with no consideration of the bigger picture.

 

No one is too stupid to understand the draft but a lot of people are too lazy to read a single article that explains it.

It is very helpful to differentiate between stupid and lazy. I don't think the vast, vast majority of people are too stupid to understand. But these comments clearly show an intellectual laziness with how the draft works.

 

It is certainly fair to criticize the 1-1 pick, but if the Twins spend their draft pool (and they will) it is so, so lazy to call them cheap. It really is not the responsibility of the Twins to continually explain this to people. Especially if the host, as I suspect, doesn't want to let the truth get in the way of a continual criticism.

 

EDIT: To clarify, not the comments I directly quoted, but the quotes you were quoting originally.

Edited June 14, 2017 by drjim

[mikelink45]

Day two and we are with players I have no ideas about, but the highest pitcher in this group sounds like our basic MN Twins pitch to contact guy - "Barnes won't overpower hitters, but is a crafty left-hander with a plus-changeup"

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Day two and we are with players I have no ideas about, but the highest pitcher in this group sounds like our basic MN Twins pitch to contact guy - "Barnes won't overpower hitters, but is a crafty left-hander with a plus-changeup"

Nope. Enlow is the best pitcher acquired on day two. He was #14 overall on Keith Law's board, I believe. He was #29 on MLB's board. In other words, first round talent.

 

The Twins haven't pursued "pitch to contact" guys in years. That myth needs to die. The Twins have been all about power arms for almost a decade, unfortunately they've done a piss-poor job of picking which power arms to pursue.

[markos]

 

I thought he'd sign for closer to 3m so it seems likely that the Twins might be able to do something more tomorrow.

Me too. I wonder if this means that the Twins were hoping to make a run at both Enlow and Carlson with picks #76 and #106. Between Lewis and Leach, they should have way more than necessary to sign Enlow for $2M.

[Tibs]

I'm really excited about the top 10 picks. I think the Twins have had a great draft so far. Can't wait to see how rounds 11-40 go

[mikecgrimes]

My stance all along and the reason going into the draft I wanted Lewis even before hearing the Twins were giving that a lot of thought was that if a pitcher is throwing 102 and isn't a clear cut #1 pick it means there's a lot of development needed and one injury knocking him down to 95 will probably ruin him, and any pitcher who isn't thought of as better then that guy is nothing more then a development project or #2 or 3 starter.  Drafting a position player at the top of the draft seems like the no brain approach almost no matter who that pitcher is.  As for saving money the Twins should have been able to successfully negotiate #2 money with whoever they drafted as they had all the leverage so I think that part of it ends up being a little overrated, with the point the Twins had more to spend no matter what missed as they will spend it no matter what.  In the end I give nobody that works for KFAN any credibility as they will always give the Vikings credit for spending to the cap while they will bash the Twins unless they outspend the Yankees.  The Minnesota Vikings are the cheapest organization in Minnesota period.

[gunnarthor]

 

Me too. I wonder if this means that the Twins were hoping to make a run at both Enlow and Carlson with picks #76 and #106. Between Lewis and Leach, they should have way more than necessary to sign Enlow for $2M.

There are a few players I'd like to snag today. My guess is that we have enough money to snag at least one. Garrett Mitchell, the HS OF from CA, Tristen Beck, Standford's sophomore pitcher and Tanner Burns, etc.

 

So maybe they saved money knowing that someone would be available in round 11 although not necessarily knowing who.

[alskntwnsfn]

Yet Greene had mediocre stats, particularly given his level of competition, despite that being your argument against Lewis.

What are you talking about? He had 13.8 K/9 and just 4 walks in 28 innings. I'm not saying I want him in the field. He throws 100 mph. Just take him. How many teams wish they had paid for Aroldis Chapman when they had the chance?

[Vanimal46]

Honest question. How many of these late round picks actually sign?

 

I've been reading from others on here that there are still some talented people left. Now that we're at this point in the draft, wouldn't they forego signing a contract and try their luck again? Especially if they're HS players.

[alarp33]

 

Honest question. How many of these late round picks actually sign?

I've been reading from others on here that there are still some talented people left. Now that we're at this point in the draft, wouldn't they forego signing a contract and try their luck again? Especially if they're HS players.

 

Last year only 3 picks from the 11th round did not sign, to use that as an example.  2 high school kids, and a college catcher.  

 

Of course, its possible the highly ranked high school kids won't be drafted today in the 11th round, because teams already know they won't sign. 

 

Edit: Same for the 12th round, 3 unsigned.  2 HS, 1 College

Edited June 14, 2017 by alarp33

[Vanimal46]

Last year only 3 picks from the 11th round did not sign, to use that as an example. 2 high school kids, and a college catcher.

 

Of course, its possible the highly ranked high school kids won't be drafted today in the 11th round, because teams already know they won't sign

That's good to know. I guess it doesn't really matter if you're a 6th round pick or a 14th round pick as long as they get paid.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Last year only 3 picks from the 11th round did not sign, to use that as an example.  2 high school kids, and a college catcher.  

 

Of course, its possible the highly ranked high school kids won't be drafted today in the 11th round, because teams already know they won't sign. 

 

Edit: Same for the 12th round, 3 unsigned.  2 HS, 1 College

 

that's partly because teams are passing on the great players now, since they probably won't sign.

 

Only a handful of late picks signed for "big" money last year, IIRC.

[alarp33]

 

that's partly because teams are passing on the great players now, since they probably won't sign.

 

Only a handful of late picks signed for "big" money last year, IIRC.

 

Correct - the MLB site I used to reference those numbers don't show signing bonuses, just whether they signed or not. So I'm not sure how many big bonuses were given in later rounds

[melshmeister]

Seems to me as though the Twins targeted the highest upside defender in the 1st round with Royce Lewis, regardless of current/future position.

 

Twins have always gone after toolsy players, but now I think the new front office is expanding their search for quality defense to the draft. J.Castro, Gimenez and Adrianza are the only position players they've brought in at the ML level and now Royce as their 1st pick. 

 

Not to say they won't acquire other skill sets, but my sense in Falvey/Lavine see value in defense for the present and the future.  

[Willihammer]

 

There are a few players I'd like to snag today. My guess is that we have enough money to snag at least one. Garrett Mitchell, the HS OF from CA, Tristen Beck, Standford's sophomore pitcher and Tanner Burns, etc.

 

So maybe they saved money knowing that someone would be available in round 11 although not necessarily knowing who.

Burns is out, according to this:

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/06/auburn_signees_tanner_burns_st.html

Beck miiiight be an option but as a sophomore you'd have to think he'll want to try and raise his stock next year.

Would love to get Mitchell but doubtful we have the $$.

 

Just glancing over MLB.com's remaining talent list, I'd be looking for a guy like Steve Williams who is an Auburn commit that scouts aren't sure will stick at catcher. Maybe one of the 19 year old toolsy inf/of types, or someone like Van Eyk whose spring performance raised arm health concerns.

 

Tough to see them making more of a splash today because of the Enlow pick.

[mikecgrimes]

 

 How many teams wish they had paid for Aroldis Chapman when they had the chance?

 

If WAR is an accurate stat not many. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

How many teams wish they had paid for Aroldis Chapman when they had the chance?

Zero, if they believed they had to pass up a 4 WAR shortstop to sign him.

 

I can understand being disappointed about Greene - that's who I wanted to see the Twins draft - but given how the rest of their draft went, it's pretty hard to complain, in my opinion. It appears they got what they believe to be four top 80 or so guys, two of them top 30 guys. That's a good draft.

 

Now only time will tell if they're right.

[alskntwnsfn]

Zero, if they believed they had to pass up a 4 WAR shortstop to sign him.

 

I can understand being disappointed about Greene - that's who I wanted to see the Twins draft - but given how the rest of their draft went, it's pretty hard to complain, in my opinion. It appears they got what they believe to be four top 80 or so guys, two of them top 30 guys. That's a good draft.

 

Now only time will tell if they're right.

Those are valid points. It's too bad the reds didn't give him the chance to start. I suspect his value would have been much higher, but that is obviously a hypothetical at this point.

[mikelink45]

 

Nope. Enlow is the best pitcher acquired on day two. He was #14 overall on Keith Law's board, I believe. He was #29 on MLB's board. In other words, first round talent.

 

The Twins haven't pursued "pitch to contact" guys in years. That myth needs to die. The Twins have been all about power arms for almost a decade, unfortunately they've done a piss-poor job of picking which power arms to pursue.

I like the idea of not going to pitch for contact guys and I am glad you are speaking up for them, but I am looking at Gibson, Santiago, and the cast of visiting Twins pitchers that have been brought in and I am still seeing the same old routine, lots of base hits, very few strike outs. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I like the idea of not going to pitch for contact guys and I am glad you are speaking up for them, but I am looking at Gibson, Santiago, and the cast of visiting Twins pitchers that have been brought in and I am still seeing the same old routine, lots of base hits, very few strike outs. 

That's because the Twins don't have very good pitchers. They drafted Stewart and Jay and acquired guys like Thorpe, Meyer, and Romero. Those are power pitchers who (should) miss bats. Unfortunately, Stewart continues to falter and Jay is back in the bullpen. Meyer is out of the organization entirely.

 

The Twins have been drafting and signing power arms for quite some time, they've just done a very bad job of it (and also ran into what is likely more than their fair share of bad luck along the way).

[ALessKosherScott]

 

That's because the Twins don't have very good pitchers. They drafted Stewart and Jay and acquired guys like Thorpe, Meyer, and Romero. Those are power pitchers who (should) miss bats. Unfortunately, Stewart continues to falter and Jay is back in the bullpen. Meyer is out of the organization entirely.

 

The Twins have been drafting and signing power arms for quite some time, they've just done a very bad job of it (and also ran into what is likely more than their fair share of bad luck along the way).

 

Bad luck is the residual effect of insisting its easy to convert college relievers into professional starters.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Bad luck is the residual effect of insisting its easy to convert college relievers into professional starters.

Definitely not making excuses for that strategy. I was speaking more about the plethora of TJ surgeries, the overall injuries, and just weird crap like Stewart not being able to miss a bat despite throwing 94mph.

 

A fair amount of that is likely a development problem, though.

[ALessKosherScott]

 

Definitely not making excuses for that strategy. I was speaking more about the plethora of TJ surgeries, the overall injuries, and just weird crap like Stewart not being able to miss a bat despite throwing 94mph.

A fair amount of that is likely a development problem, though.

 

Developing pitchers is a number game. Always has been. Always will be. For all the talk of Stewart being behind Gonsalves and Romero in the present, he could bump into the magic change up fairy that Johan Santana found in 2002 and end up being the ace. Or he could follow the status quo. You never know.

 

When you draft guys with bad deliveries in the name of velocity, you're cutting down your numbers. The great part of this draft is that Enlow could be a great starter. Or Leach could. Or Barnes could. Or even Widell could (Sammons and Fauscher seem more like relievers, but they're also 8th and 10th rounders). And while it's nice to pretend we're sages and know that Enlow has the best present stuff, you never know when a guy like Barnes is going to become the next Kluber. In reality, the plus of this draft is its been way too long since the Twins picked four guys in the first ten rounds who should remain in the rotation long enough to see how they play out.