Article: 2017 Draft Signings, Notes and Rumors

[Jeremy Nygaard]

[LATEST UPDATE: 6/24]

 

Now that the smoke has cleared and the draft is over, we can turn our sights to signing some of these 41 draft picks. Note: Not all will sign - and that is normal. Typical draft classes are usually in the 22-27 player range.

 

This page will be updated as information becomes available, either through me or national media.June 24, 8:30 AM update

 

Apologies for having not updated for a bit. But 14 hour days filled with work and school can do that to a person.

 

Lots to unpack here... starting from the top:

 

 

This doesn't give an exact figure, but will save the Twins nearly $350,000. That puts the Twins savings around $1,450,000.

 

 

Enlow sucks up most of the savings and lowers their available pool to around $200K.

 

 

Bechtold comes in $221,300 over the pool.

 

 

De La Torre comes in $266,700 over the pool.

 

 

Widdell comes in $179,300 over the pool.

 

The three seniors each got $10k each, which saves the team $429,500.

 

That leaves the Twins with exactly $1,466,400 to sign Leach. It will be interesting to see if he gets all of it. (That's good planning.)

 

Here's how it looks...

Download attachment: draftsat.JPG

 

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June 20, 2:30 PM update

 

 

With the three official signings (Lewis, Rooker and Barnes) done, the Twins are $1,102,700 under the cap.

 

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June 19, 8:00 AM update

 

Download attachment: 17draft6.JPG

 

Not reporting any bonuses. But many players will be signing on the dotted line today or tomorrow.

 

Still no official word on P Blayne Enlow. Checked with Twins source and was told he "cannot comment." 11th-round pick OF Gabriel Rodriguez has also not agreed to terms.

 

Both of these players fall into the category that will receive overslot bonuses. (Enlow will obviously receive more.) Clubs typically like to have all of their underslot players done first so they know exactly how much money they have left. On the flip side of that, they try to keep those numbers under wraps so that while negotiating overslot deals, the agents don't know exactly how much money is remaining.

 

Both Enlow and Rodriguez are expected to sign. There should be plenty of "official" draft news in the next 24-48 hours.

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June 17, 7:00 PM update

 

Just a note: Regardless of what I hear, I won't report any "official signings." I'm leaving that up to the Twins, as many things can happen between the agreement and the official announcement. So despite hearing that some of these agreements have been signed, I'm going to leave them simply as "agreed."

 

The big new name here is 3B Austin Bechtold. There is an agreement in place and look for an official announcement relatively soon. The other two names are OF TJ Dixon and P Austin Bizzle. Neither of those deals will cut into the bonus pool. Neither was expected to.

 

Download attachment: 17draft5.JPG

 

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June 17, 5:30 PM update

 

SS Royce Lewis is officially a Twin. Four others from Day 3 agree to terms. Confirmed agreements/signings up to 14.

 

https://twitter.com/...209671610216448

 

Download attachment: draftnew.JPG

 

 

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June 17, 10:30 AM update

 

 

More information will be posted when it becomes available.

 

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June 16, 6:00 PM update

 

The signing of OF Brent Rooker is official.

 

 

 

 

Download attachment: 17draft3.JPG

 

June 16, 11:00 AM update:

 

Plenty of new "scout's takes" in both the Day 2 and Day 3 write-ups. (I just added seven more.)

 

The graphic below shows five more players who have agreed to terms: LP Charlie Barnes, who arrived in Minnesota last night, LP Bryan Sammons, who is already in Fort Myers, P Bailey Ober, C Andrew Cosgrove and SS Jordan Gore, all of whom will report to Fort Myers on Monday.

 

Sammons was a senior draft, but could be a sleeper. All five of those players are expected to play at Elizabethton.

 

(Jeremy's note: I don't know why the graphic is as small as it is. I'll try a different computer and see what happens... or maybe Brock can tell me how to fix it.)

 

(Jeremy's note, part two: I'm going to be very careful about reporting signing bonuses. While it is fun to scoop Jim Callis... there can also be ramifications to that type of announcement before everything is finalized.)

 

Download attachment: 17draft2.JPG

 

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June 16, 9:00 AM update:

 

Starting at the top of the draft...

 

Doogie Wolfson of KSTP has had a few nuggets on SS Royce Lewis.

 

 

 

Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press is reporting that OF Brent Rooker has agreed to terms for "slightly more" than slot ($1,935,300).

 

 

I'm reporting a few more happenings with some later-drafted players.

 

OF Jared Akins, P Derek Molina and P Alex Robles have all agreed to terms and will be reporting to Fort Myers. Robles will report Monday. I assume that's going to be a day full of getting settled into Fort Myers, while physicals and actual signings will happen on Tuesday.

 

You can follow the progress of the signings with this handy-dandy little chart that I'll continuously update.

 

Download attachment: 2017draft.PNG

 

Click here to view the article

[Mike Sixel]

With those three going to FtM, Rooker has to start at least there, right?

 

edit: or, do you mean to their complex, and not the team?

Edited June 16, 2017 by Mike Sixel

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

With those three going to FtM, Rooker has to start at least there, right?

 

edit: or, do you mean to their complex, and not the team?

 

Complex. The higher draft picks come to Minnesota. Most just head right to Fort Myers. 

 

I'm curious to see what happens with Rooker. Does he go from Minnesota to Fort Myers and play with the Miracle or does he bypass the trip to Florida all together and go straight to Cedar Rapids. I'd be surprised if he doesn't play for the Kernels first.

[Guest]

 

Complex. The higher draft picks come to Minnesota. Most just head right to Fort Myers. 

 

I'm curious to see what happens with Rooker. Does he go from Minnesota to Fort Myers and play with the Miracle or does he bypass the trip to Florida all together and go straight to Cedar Rapids. I'd be surprised if he doesn't play for the Kernels first.

 

Just a reminder, the MiLB first halves end Sunday with ASGs to follow. MWL 2nd half starts Thursday. Wouldn't surprise me to see him in a CR uniform by then.

[Seth Stohs]

I'd put money on Rooker spending at least a little bit of time in Elizabethton and then getting up to Cedar Rapids with a possibility of finishing in Ft. Myers. 

 

From what I'm told, the guys in the Top 10 rounds come to Minnesota to sign, and guys in rounds 11-40 do all that in Ft. Myers.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'd put money on Rooker spending at least a little bit of time in Elizabethton and then getting up to Cedar Rapids with a possibility of finishing in Ft. Myers. 

 

From what I'm told, the guys in the Top 10 rounds come to Minnesota to sign, and guys in rounds 11-40 do all that in Ft. Myers.

 

It's very important that a 22 yo college player go to Elizabethton. Man, I hope you are wrong.

[Steve Lein]

 

I'd put money on Rooker spending at least a little bit of time in Elizabethton and then getting up to Cedar Rapids with a possibility of finishing in Ft. Myers. 

 

From what I'm told, the guys in the Top 10 rounds come to Minnesota to sign, and guys in rounds 11-40 do all that in Ft. Myers.

 

I really, really, really hope this is not the M-O of the new guys...

 

I absolutely hated that they would send college hitters there. They have already faced better competition.

[Dman]

 

It's very important that a 22 yo college player go to Elizabethton. Man, I hope you are wrong.

 

I agree with you.  If the best college hitter can't make it past Elizabethton they can't believe in him that much.  Cedar should be the lowest he goes with an early chance at high A so that he can possibly start in AA next year.  This guy isn't 18.  He is older and talented.  He can handle it.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

I agree with you.  If the best college hitter can't make it past Elizabethton they can't believe in him that much.  Cedar should be the lowest he goes with an early chance at high A so that he can possibly start in AA next year.  This guy isn't 18.  He is older and talented.  He can handle it.

 

Plus he did it in the best conference in college baseball. The Appy League is a step-down quality-wise. I'd think the MWL is pretty comparable to the SEC... maybe also a step down.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I really, really, really hope this is not the M-O of the new guys...

 

I absolutely hated that they would send college hitters there. They have already faced better competition.

 

I used to care about where a guy would start too... but I don't any more. I think getting them acclimated to pro ball, wood bats, travel, playing every day is all part of it. 

 

I also believe that the relationships are important. I think if Rooker spent two weeks in E-Town, he'll develop relationships with the 2017 draft guys, plus the ET coaches. If it was me, I'd then send him to Cedar Rapids for 2-4 weeks. Let him get to know 25 more guys and three more coaches. Then, if it was me, I'd send him to Ft. Myers for the final 4-5 weeks. Again, 25+ more teammates and 3 more coaches. 

 

Then to Instructs... maybe even the AFL... again, that'd be aggressive.

 

If Chattanooga is in the playoffs, and they probably will be, maybe push him up there for the last week and the playoffs. But regardless, he'll most likely start 2018 in Chattanooga (unless he's just awful in FM or CR), and from there, he could be up in the big leagues by midseason... That would be incredibly aggressive... Very unlikely, but at almost 23, possible, I guess. Some of Rooker's timeline could be based on Eddie Rosario and Zack Granite and Daniel Palka too. If someone steps up and joins Kepler and Buxton as a regular in the outfield, there's little reason to rush him if he's not going to play every day. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I really, really, really hope this is not the M-O of the new guys...

 

I absolutely hated that they would send college hitters there. They have already faced better competition.

 

I don't think that's a fair blanket statement. Rooker maybe has faced better competition and succeeded, but not all.

[Thrylos]

Even the "old" FO had 1st round College picks like Jay, Michael, and Wimmers start their pro careers with the Miracle. 

 

I doubt that Rooker will be an exception here.   Michael is the only College position player chosen (30th overall pick; Rooker was 35th) and he is the only real comparable about starting level, but that was ages ago

 

Will be really surprised if he went to CR, or god-forbid, to E-town

Edited June 16, 2017 by Thrylos

[nicksaviking]

 

Plus he did it in the best conference in college baseball. The Appy League is a step-down quality-wise. I'd think the MWL is pretty comparable to the SEC... maybe also a step down.

 

If Rooker goes anywhere below Ft. Myers, it better be because the team has decided that he's going to be a player-coach. All reports indicate that his success this year was because he is studious, mature and self-propelling even above his skill level which is extremely high.

 

The Twins had to get permission to re-draft Rooker. If I was him, I would have told the team, only if you agree to start me at Chattanooga.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

The Twins had to get permission to re-draft Rooker. If I was him, I would have told the team, only if you agree to start me at Chattanooga.

 

I believe I read this morning that he signed the waiver almost immediately after failing to come to an agreement last year.

[Darius]

Interesting. I think most thought Rooker was an underslot high. Will this affect the ability to sign Enlow in any way?

 

Having him walk would be a blow to the quality of this draft, which I'm very happy with once the dust has settled, despite my initial grumbling after day 1.

[nater79a]

Would love to see Brent Rooker and Jaylin Davis become the CR Kernels' version of the Bash Brothers!   Add in Blankenhorn, Palacios, Whitefield, Diaz....that's a potent lineup.  Too bad Luis Arraez is hurt this year.

[Dman]

 

I used to care about where a guy would start too... but I don't any more. I think getting them acclimated to pro ball, wood bats, travel, playing every day is all part of it. 

 

I also believe that the relationships are important. I think if Rooker spent two weeks in E-Town, he'll develop relationships with the 2017 draft guys, plus the ET coaches. If it was me, I'd then send him to Cedar Rapids for 2-4 weeks. Let him get to know 25 more guys and three more coaches. Then, if it was me, I'd send him to Ft. Myers for the final 4-5 weeks. Again, 25+ more teammates and 3 more coaches. 

 

Then to Instructs... maybe even the AFL... again, that'd be aggressive.

 

If Chattanooga is in the playoffs, and they probably will be, maybe push him up there for the last week and the playoffs. But regardless, he'll most likely start 2018 in Chattanooga (unless he's just awful in FM or CR), and from there, he could be up in the big leagues by midseason... That would be incredibly aggressive... Very unlikely, but at almost 23, possible, I guess. Some of Rooker's timeline could be based on Eddie Rosario and Zack Granite and Daniel Palka too. If someone steps up and joins Kepler and Buxton as a regular in the outfield, there's little reason to rush him if he's not going to play every day. 

 

While I agree that relationships are important I am not sure how much that applies to Rooker in this situation.  Three Fourths of the guys he is going to "bond" with down there aren't likely to make it to his level.  They also aren't going to change his swing in Elizabethton either.  I think the value to going there is low.

 

 Given his age, playing against tougher competition as soon as possible is far more important.  I think Kieth Law mentioned there are already a handful of guys his age in MLB already.  His draft stock was lowered because of his age. I think the team that takes him needs to be as aggressive as possible to get him from point A to B.  

 

Yep two weeks in E-town won't hurt him but again I am not seeing an incredible benefit to sending him there either.

[Thrylos]

 

Would love to see Brent Rooker and Jaylin Davis become the CR Kernels' version of the Bash Brothers!   Add in Blankenhorn, Palacios, Whitefield, Diaz....that's a potent lineup.  Too bad Luis Arraez is hurt this year.

 

Palacios (and some of the other guys mentioned here) will likely move to Fort Myers as soon as the short season leagues begin.  Both Javier (who is on the E-town roster, btw) and Lewis cannot be in the same team in E-town, and, unless Lewis moves to CF, I expect one of them in CR.  I just cannot see either at the GCL at this point, even though that's where they had Buxton start.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Thrylos

[Steve Lein]

 

I don't think that's a fair blanket statement. Rooker maybe has faced better competition and succeeded, but not all.

 

I don't really disagree with any of your thoughts, and I understand them in a lot of players cases. But not in Rooker's. He was in the SEC and really, really good against the best that conference had to offer (which included Wright, Lange, Faedo, and Houck just from this draft's first round. I'm sure he's faced Clark Schmidt before too along with a bunch of other guys who will probably go early in the next few drafts).

 

What I don't want to see again, is a case like Adam Brett Walker.

 

A lot of people got so excited about him because he mashed in the Appy and Midwest Leagues. I never understood it because my thought process was "Well yeah, he should have given where he came from." Keith Law even answered such a question from me once in a chat, saying basically "he shouldn't be at that level anyway, so of course he put up those numbers there." (I know he was "young" in comparison, but it doesn't change the competition he had already been playing against).  

 

It could be moot though if your process happens, as I think most would hope he's starting at AA next year, so maybe it doesn't matter how he gets there. But I don't want him becoming complacent against competition that is beneath him. I think that is a detriment to players development because what does he learn that he doesn't already know? (he can do a lot of the secondary to games things you mention no matter where he's at)

Edited June 16, 2017 by Steve Lein

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I don't really disagree with any of your thoughts, and I understand them in a lot of players cases. But not in Rooker's. He was in the SEC and really, really good against the best that conference had to offer (which included Wright, Lange, Faedo, and Houck just from this draft's first round. I'm sure he's faced Clark Schmidt before too along with a bunch of other guys who will probably go early in the next few drafts).

 

What I don't want to see again, is a case like Adam Brett Walker.

 

A lot of people got so excited about him because he mashed in the Appy and Midwest Leagues. I never understood it because my thought process was "Well yeah, he should have given where he came from." Keith Law even answered such a question from me once in a chat, saying basically "he shouldn't be at that level anyway, so of course he put up those numbers there." (I know he was "young" in comparison, but it doesn't change the competition he had already been playing against).  

 

It could be moot though if your process happens, as I think most would hope he's starting at AA next year, so maybe it doesn't matter how he gets there. But I don't want him becoming complacent against competition that is beneath him. I think that is a detriment to players development because what does he learn that he doesn't already know? (he can do a lot of the secondary to games things you mention no matter where he's at)

 

ABW is a different case in general.  He might have been the best power hitter in college, but he wasn't the best college hitter. He had huge holes in his swing and a penchant to swing a bit too much.  Rooker is much more patient, hits for a high average, and take a walk.. He's a more mature hitter. I agree that ABW was frustrating, but it wasn't hard to see why he was staying down...

 

On to Rooker, I wouldn't be too concerned if he got a wood bat tune up in the Appy, but I tend to agree that if lasts more than a couple weeks, then something is wrong.  He should finish the season in Fort Myers at the very least.

[markos]

 

ABW is a different case in general.  He might have been the best power hitter in college, but he wasn't the best college hitter. He had huge holes in his swing and a penchant to swing a bit too much.  Rooker is much more patient, hits for a high average, and take a walk.. He's a more mature hitter. I agree that ABW was frustrating, but it wasn't hard to see why he was staying down...

 

On to Rooker, I wouldn't be too concerned if he got a wood bat tune up in the Appy, but I tend to agree that if lasts more than a couple weeks, then something is wrong.  He should finish the season in Fort Myers at the very least.

I think Fort Myers is his ceiling for this season. For comparison, Benintendi, Schwarber, Bryant, and AJ Reed all were initially assign to their organizations' A- short-season affiliates, and none of them made it past A+ during their draft year.

[DocBauer]

He should go immediately to CR and become acclimated there. Too talented, too mature to do otherwise, IMO. Get half a season there and then half a season for Ft Myers. Perfect first half season for him.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Even the "old" FO had 1st round College picks like Jay, Michael, and Wimmers start their pro careers with the Miracle. 

 

 

How did that work out for those 3 guys?

[nater79a]

 

I used to care about where a guy would start too... but I don't any more. I think getting them acclimated to pro ball, wood bats, travel, playing every day is all part of it. 

 

I also believe that the relationships are important. I think if Rooker spent two weeks in E-Town, he'll develop relationships with the 2017 draft guys, plus the ET coaches. If it was me, I'd then send him to Cedar Rapids for 2-4 weeks. Let him get to know 25 more guys and three more coaches. Then, if it was me, I'd send him to Ft. Myers for the final 4-5 weeks. Again, 25+ more teammates and 3 more coaches. 

 

Then to Instructs... maybe even the AFL... again, that'd be aggressive.

 

If Chattanooga is in the playoffs, and they probably will be, maybe push him up there for the last week and the playoffs. But regardless, he'll most likely start 2018 in Chattanooga (unless he's just awful in FM or CR), and from there, he could be up in the big leagues by midseason... That would be incredibly aggressive... Very unlikely, but at almost 23, possible, I guess. Some of Rooker's timeline could be based on Eddie Rosario and Zack Granite and Daniel Palka too. If someone steps up and joins Kepler and Buxton as a regular in the outfield, there's little reason to rush him if he's not going to play every day. 

 

Seth, can you remember any other Twins prospects that hit three affiliates during their draft year? Can't think there would be too many.

[Dman]

 

I'd put money on Rooker spending at least a little bit of time in Elizabethton and then getting up to Cedar Rapids with a possibility of finishing in Ft. Myers. 

 

From what I'm told, the guys in the Top 10 rounds come to Minnesota to sign, and guys in rounds 11-40 do all that in Ft. Myers.

Looks like you were right yet again.  I don't see the logic but I am not gonna get my undies in wad over it either.  Hoping he does really well for us.  We could use another right handed power bat.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Looks like you were right yet again.  I don't see the logic but I am not gonna get my undies in wad over it either.  Hoping he does really well for us.  We could use another right handed power bat.

 

I do try to be as often as possible... Ha!

 

Adding to my thoughts above, he hasn't played in a couple of weeks. And won't play now for 6-7 days... so get him some at bats and then move him.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, can you remember any other Twins prospects that hit three affiliates during their draft year? Can't think there would be too many.

 

I'd have to look. Fun research project... Normally the big movement takes place that first full season. Then there are a ton with three levels (Duensing, Baker, Dean, Darnell, Gibson, etc.) and Matt Garza moved up four levels. It's mostly pitchers as the Twins haven't drafted many college bats this high. With college pitchers, they've likely already thrown 90+ innings, so they don't want to push them too much.

[Squirrel]

(Jeremy's note: I don't know why the graphic is as small as it is. I'll try a different computer and see what happens... or maybe Brock can tell me how to fix it.)

Can you also fix it so it shows up in the forum article?

 

But thanks for starting this.

[terrydactyls]

Question - The term "senior sign" is used a lot. What does that mean? I understand that the person is a senior in college (I assume), but what else is implied?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Question - The term "senior sign" is used a lot. What does that mean? I understand that the person is a senior in college (I assume), but what else is implied?

Just that they should sign and do so relatively cheaply, because they have no real leverage -- they can't opt to return to school.

Edited June 17, 2017 by spycake