Article: Twins Draft Blayne Enlow, Seven More

[ThejacKmp]

 

Uh, that was the point of the math experiment.....

 

do you like:

Anyone+Rooker+number 40ish player

 

Lewis+Rooker+Enlow

I trust that those choices are close enough and I don't know well enough to say that Lewis+Rooker+Enlow is wrong. And likely none of us do. I think a lot of the criticism here is pretty shortsighted. We're arguing that we know how to drill for undersea oil because we read the Wikipedia page.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I trust that those choices are close enough and I don't know well enough to say that Lewis+Rooker+Enlow is wrong. And likely none of us do. I think a lot of the criticism here is pretty shortsighted. We're arguing that we know how to drill for undersea oil because we read the Wikipedia page.

 

I'm not arguing I KNOW anything. I'm having a conversation on a baseball conversation site.

[nicksaviking]

 

Well, I'm told no one wants Dozier, and ESan is off limits....and you aren't dealing Buxton or Sano....so Polanco and Kepler?

 

No one is behind Sano or Buxton. Wouldn't the team be looking to deal Polanco once he's established and Gordon arrives? Perhaps trade Gordon if Palacios arrives? Trade Palacios once Lewis arrives? None of these guys are established yet, we're not talking about trading them as prospects, we're talking about trading them as everyday MLBers.

 

 

[NapoleonComplex]

 

I'm not arguing I KNOW anything. I'm having a conversation on a baseball conversation site.

 

 

That's exactly why I lurk this site more than I post. TD has made more educated and tempered about a sport I'm truly interested in, while helping me avoid work.

[Mike Sixel]

 

No one is behind Sano or Buxton. Wouldn't the team be looking to deal Polanco once he's established and Gordon arrives? Perhaps trade Gordon if Palacios arrives? Trade Palacios once Lewis arrives? None of these guys are established yet, we're not talking about trading them as prospects, we're talking about trading them as everyday MLBers.

 

So, no trades for 2-3 years? That's a long time. And one blood line, as it were, SS. 

[Siehbiscuit]

The people that are frustrated by Lewis as a SS pick, keep in mind that this guy has the potential to be better than Gordon. It may be extra depth, but if Lewis has the ability to be a Franciso Lindor, Carlos Correa or even a Manny Machado-type, why do we care that we have extra Ss's?

 

Btw, most experts think he'll go to CF like BJ Upton did.

[ashbury]

I think a lot of the criticism here is pretty shortsighted. We're arguing that we know how to drill for undersea oil because we read the Wikipedia page.

Moderator's note: Look, the moderators have been clear all through the draft process, that it's a given we are all amateurs, and that real judgement of any draft isn't possible for a few years at least. And yet we are all entitled to discuss the proceedings, if done respectfully. Please don't attempt to squelch the opinions of others. Discuss the topic, not the qualifications of the other posters. (This is addressed to all posters, not specifically you.)

[nicksaviking]

 

So, no trades for 2-3 years? That's a long time. And one blood line, as it were, SS. 

 

That seems like the same if not shorter time span than it would take any of the pitchers drafted this year to contribute.

 

And considering Polanco, Gordon and Palacios are further along in their development than any of the hypothetical pitchers that might have been taken, they likely have better odds of becoming useful.

 

[JustinCB]

 

All I see on Bryan Sammons is a big-frame lefty who was projected to go around #350.

Noticed all of the top 6 picks were in the BA top 100, so their draft looks better by that measure.

[NapoleonComplex]

Agree on Lewis take. However, Greene has the skill set of a mid-first round SS, while being the near consensus best arm in the draft class. We could have selected him at 1:1 and still landed Rooker at #35.

 

I'm not upset because they chose a different direction. They're the experts. But it would have been so damn exciting to see Hunter Greene and all his hype move up the ranks in the Twins system.

[Mike Sixel]

Since day 1 thread is, um, troublesome:

 

Marshall MN: Can Royce Lewis develop the footwork necessary to play IF? You seem doubtful of that possibility, is there any track record of players developing that skill?

 

Keith Law: I’m very skeptical. At least he has to move off short. Then you end up questioning whether you are better off with the player at 2b, where he might be an average or 55 defender, or in CF, where he might develop into a 70.

 

ReleasetheMckraken: Regarding Brent Rooker’s position, is he truly limited to 1B? I read he can handle the OF but was playing 1st because MSU had a need.

 

Keith Law: Every scout I asked, even guys who liked him, told me he’s a 1b in pro ball. I haven’t seen him this year.

 

Rick: Hey Keith. You have stated you think Royce Lewis probably ends up an outfielder by the time he reaches the majors. I’m wondering who you prefer as a prospect, Lewis or last years #1 overall, Moniak? Thanks.

Keith Law: Moniak has a higher probability of being a big leaguer but I think Lewis has more ceiling and would take him.

 

Marshall MN: Have you talked to people around the league to get their reaction to the Twins taking Lewis 1-1? It seemed to be an ongoing rumor for a while that it was a possibility, but from what you know did any other team have Lewis at the top of their board?

 

Keith Law: I can think of two teams that I believe had Lewis at 1, but it wasn’t a majority view, and the reactions I got from other teams last night and this morning weren’t favorable.

 

Marshall MN: In regard to Lewis’ skill set, how do they compare to Buxton’s coming out of HS? If Buxton had 80 speed and defensive potential, how would Lewis rate?

 

Keith Law: Buxton was way more tooled up, but Lewis probably has a better hit tool today than Buxton did at 19.

 

Drew: How quick could Rooker move? He’s old but I don’t know how that translates to a minor league assignment. Do they move him to AA?

 

Keith Law: Doesn’t he have to? He’s older than five current big league hitters (I think). Sending him to low-A seems futile.

 

http://meadowparty.com/blog/

Edited June 13, 2017 by Mike Sixel

[InfraRen]

Is he a pretty saucy prospect or something?

 

[Bill Brown69]

 

The people that are frustrated by Lewis as a SS pick, keep in mind that this guy has the potential to be better than Gordon. It may be extra depth, but if Lewis has the ability to be a Franciso Lindor, Carlos Correa or even a Manny Machado-type, why do we care that we have extra Ss's?

Btw, most experts think he'll go to CF like BJ Upton did.

 

MLB draft is much the same as signing day to college football. I can guarantee that Tennessee went after the consensus #1 QB after Peyton Manning's freshman year. There is no such thing as an overload of talent at a position, especially pitcher, catcher and shortstop. Pitcher and catcher because of injury and if you can play short you are athletic enough to play anywhere.

[drjim]

Taking some college seniors on the back end of the 10 rounds certainly allows them to go big on the 11-1. All night to cut the best deal.

[BenB]

 

Since they have been passing on higher-ranked pitching prospects I'm wondering if the Twins will possibly be targeting more back-up type catchers who can pitch in the later rounds?

Even better would be a pitcher that could catch and catcher that could be a LOOGY.

[BenB]

 

Maybe the best way for the Twins to find pitching is to have position players to trade for the pitchers other teams develop?

Shortstops are usually valuable trade bait.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Keith Law:

 

See above....

[InfraRen]

[70charger]

 

I trust that those choices are close enough and I don't know well enough to say that Lewis+Rooker+Enlow is wrong. And likely none of us do. I think a lot of the criticism here is pretty shortsighted. We're arguing that we know how to drill for undersea oil because we read the Wikipedia page.

 

Instructions unclear. Baby seals covered in oil.

[70charger]

 

Taking some college seniors on the back end of the 10 rounds certainly allows them to go big on the 11-1. All night to cut the best deal.

 

Kind of like what they did going into day 2. I'm hoping they'll try that in a round where slot money can't be lost, and just throw every last penny of their savings at the best talent left.

[Bob Sacamento]

Mark Contreras OF 

 

 

 

Contreras teamed with Austin Sodders at Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley, Calif.) HS and again at UC Riverside. Sodders was an eighth-round pick in 2016 and Contreras should join his friend in pro ball shortly. Contreras is a polished lefthanded hitter who hit .332 as a junior and .366 as a senior despite missing one month with a broken hamate bone. He shows plus raw power in batting practice but it doesn't play in games as he alters his approach to make line drive contact. Contreras has an explosive first step that allows him to get out of the box quickly and produce a high volume of doubles and triples. That same first step allows him to survive in center field, but his average raw speed and average arm project best in left field.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Taking some college seniors on the back end of the 10 rounds certainly allows them to go big on the 11-1. All night to cut the best deal.

 

Agreed, any idea who that target might be?

[drjim]

Agreed, any idea who that target might be?

I'm not nearly that knowledgeable.

 

Would guess hs arm.

[ThejacKmp]

This may be a dumb question but those admittedly slightly-ridiculous lists have some high ranked guys still remaining that I've heard smarter people here excited about: Tanner Burns, Tristan Beck, Jake Eder. Are these guys unlikely to sign or do the Twins have a shot to throw savings at them in these middle rounds (9-15)? Do those kind of guys ever sign if offered $1 million (e.g.) in the 11th round?

[iastfan112]

Those complaining about going for signability in picks 6-10 aren't thinking hard enough about draft strategy due to the way the money and losing these picks go. Better to take the hard to sign guys 11-15, that way you aren't locked out the larger draft pool money.

[FunnyPenguin]

 

This may be a dumb question but those admittedly slightly-ridiculous lists have some high ranked guys still remaining that I've heard smarter people here excited about: Tanner Burns, Tristan Beck, Jake Eder. Are these guys unlikely to sign or do the Twins have a shot to throw savings at them in these middle rounds (9-15)? Do those kind of guys ever sign if offered $1 million (e.g.) in the 11th round?

This was my exact same question...

[nicksaviking]

Have to think most the remaining top 100 are likely unsignable at this point.

 

Which is clearly in the Twins favor as long as not ALL top 100 are unsignable. 18 hours to cut deals AND the first pick, the Twins should be able to reel in their choice of the fence straddlers if they still have excess bonus money.

[nicksaviking]

 

This may be a dumb question but those admittedly slightly-ridiculous lists have some high ranked guys still remaining that I've heard smarter people here excited about: Tanner Burns, Tristan Beck, Jake Eder. Are these guys unlikely to sign or do the Twins have a shot to throw savings at them in these middle rounds (9-15)? Do those kind of guys ever sign if offered $1 million (e.g.) in the 11th round?

 

Yes they do from time to time. Since the Twins pick first and should have some free money to spend, if any of those guys will sign, the Twins should be in the driver's seat to do so.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Have to think most the remaining top 100 are likely unsignable at this point.

 

Which is clearly in the Twins favor as long as not ALL top 100 are unsignable. 18 hours to cut deals AND the first pick, the Twins should be able to reel in their choice of the fence straddlers if they still have excess bonus money.

 

Agreed on all points. They have a real shot, that most others do not. It will be difficult to pull off, but there is hope.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Those complaining about going for signability in picks 6-10 aren't thinking hard enough about draft strategy due to the way the money and losing these picks go. Better to take the hard to sign guys 11-15, that way you aren't locked out the larger draft pool money.

True, it just doesn't happen often.  After the 10th round last year, only two players got over a 1M,  Both prep players, Brewers at 324 with Chad McClanahan (1.2M) and the Mets at 340 with Cameron Planck (1M and 1 dollar).

 

Twins did give Tyler Benninghoff 600K last year in the 11th round.

Edited June 13, 2017 by Bob Sacamento