Minnesota Twins 2020 MLB Draft Recap

[Monkeypaws]

Free college looks pretty good compared to 20K.

[DocBauer]

I haven’t seen Jeffers catch but I did read articles about his improved defense at catcher from MLB, BA and this one during the spring.https://www.milb.com/news/toolshed-ryan-jeffers-trying-to-become-minnesota-twins-threat-313325916

I don’t think the Twins see players as fixed in their skills but rather look for players who they believe can develop skills that can help. Jeffers was a poor defensive catcher at the time of the draft but that isn’t a label he needed to keep. Soularie may not be a starting CF or maybe there are things that are hard to see that he does really well like first step and routes. If not OF, do they see a starting 2B or see a utility guy that can be developed to fill in at 6 positions?

 

Just wanted to add that I believe in a recent interview he stated he's never worked with an actual catching coach before coming to the Twins. And I think we've already heard and seen what a difference emphasis on that position is doing for the entire system.

 

Throwing at least decently is still part of a catchers job, but the running game has been so de-emphasized in today's game as to make that aspect so less integral than it used to be. The Twins have made changes to stances behind the plate that keep a catchers more fresh, and allow them better access to low ball reception/blocking. We have certainly seen that in Garver at the ML level. At the end of the day, the most important part of a catcher's job is game calling, working and communicating with that guy in the mound, setting a good target, framing vs grabbing or reaching, and just keeping the ball in front of him. From reports, Jeffers has improved greatly in those areas.

[DocBauer]

Free college looks pretty good compared to 20K.

 

Except it's only free for a few precious players. College baseball has something like 13 total scholarships to spread out over their entire roster. So most guys are on 1/4-1/2 athletic scholarship. Though to be fair, colleges seem to do a pretty good job finding grants and the such to help offset at least part of the remaining cost for some players.

 

But I absolutely agree with Andrew that the vast majority of those who will sign for $20K are college seniors who don't want to go back, can't afford to go back, or have been attending a school that won't let them come back and certainly don't want to attempt to transfer to another school for 1yr.

[DocBauer]

I want to echo disappointment that the Twins didn't draft a single college pitcher when all reports I've read stated this class was very deep with viable arms. That's not a knock on the 4 guys selected to be clear.

 

Here I go trying to seem intelligent again, but the FO has a thought process that is very clear at this point. And to be honest, from all I have witnessed and read, it appears history has shown that unless you select an arm in the first 5 spots, maybe 10, your odds of actually selecting a quality ML SP, much less a top of the rotation arm, diminish appreciably. And that's not to say the Twins WON'T select an arm at the top of the draft. After all, they have selected a few of them recently with supplemental and 2nd round choices.

 

But think for a moment how volatile the projection part of the selection process for a HS arm at 18yrs old. Then think about a college pitcher. Have they maxed out? Do they have anything in their repitoire, not being top 5-10 selection worthy, that you feel good enough about future projectability to make them a later 1st round selection? And what about the injury factor? Despite all the advances, and continuing advances in medical science, a damaged shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand or labrum, etc, is still easier for a position player to overcome and reach their potential than for a pitcher.

 

Again, not saying the Twins WON'T take an arm in the 1st round, or shouldn't, but I think their thought process is clear and understandable. They believe in using that top choice for a position player that has a chance, whether it be overriding skill set or particular skill set, and then grab pitchers that have "something" you really like and can build off of and develop.

 

And they really seem to believe in the development system they have in place. And there have been a lot of stories including here at TD, about their approaches and individualized attention. Gone are the days of simplistic "everyman" mantras. And when you look at some of the young guys the FO has traded for...Chalmers could be a prime example...they are willing to take some risks based on potential via development.

 

While I was really hoping for at least one college arm, and even speculated they might break traditional approach this weird season and select up to 3 because why not, I can't fault them for sticking to their guns. One thing I find interesting is how young each of the 4 selections is. All 3 position players have power, power potential, hit and OB potential even with some SO tendencies, but are banking on development.

 

I'm with others when I'm actually mkre excited about Marco Raya than any other pick. He won't be 18yo until July, if I read it right. He is 6' and only about 170lbs but great mechanics and throws up to 94mph with movement and high spin rate. Reportedly, his slider and curve are already above average and his change is solid. He may or may not be one of those kids who would have gone to college and end up 6'2" and 210lbs and throw 98mph in 3yrs and be a top 5-10 selection. But if reports about all of his good qualities are accurate, what could he be in 3yrs with coaching and another 20+lbs of physical development thrown in?