Six Intriguing Players the Twins Could Pick in Today's Rule 5 Draft

[Seth Stohs]

Here are six players available in Thursday morning’s Rule 5 draft that should be very intriguing for Twins fans.Let me start this by saying that I would guess that there is about a 50-50 chance, maybe less, that the Twins make a Rule 5 pick this morning. However, it is always fun to at least think about what players might be available if they do choose to make a selection.

 

There is still much that we don’t yet know about the 2021 season. I think we assume that active rosters will be 26 as was intended to be the case in 2020 until COVID-19 rules changed that to 28. But if there are 28, there is little reason not to take a shot with a player if you believe their upside is worth it. With a 26 player roster, and with aspirations of winning a playoff series and more in 2021, it is much less likely that the Twins would make a pick.

 

There are some interesting names out there, players with upside and potential. Some of those players are unprotected Twins players (like Baddoo, Miranda, Javier, Rijo and others). Likewise, other teams have left some high-upside (and high risk) players available.

 

And, you can always make the pick, see what you have in spring training (on the field and in the clubhouse), and if there’s something there, you can always make a trade to keep him in the organization. We’ve seen that before when the Twins lost RA Dickey to the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft and then when the Mariners wanted to send him to Triple-A to start the season, the Twins acquired catcher Jair Fernandez for him. We’ve seen it the other direction too when the Twins traded flame-throwing Billy Bullock to Atlanta so that they could send Scott Diamond to Triple A.

 

But first, let’s start with what the Twins needs might be with such a pick. I think there are two possibilities.

 

#1 - Relief Pitchers - This should be #1, #2, #3, #4 and maybe #5 on the list of needs. With St. Paul so close and the front office’s willingness to shuffle relievers back and forth as needed, maybe it’s easier to stash a Rule 5 pick away for the season, using him only in low-leverage situations. What I would want would be a pitcher with some plus-plus tools, a big fastball, a big spin rate, a high strikeout rate. Something for Wes Johnson to work with.

 

#2 - Second Utility Infielder - I think we all assume that the Twins are in the market for a Marwin Gonzalez replacement. Maybe that’s a Kike Hernandez or Tommy La Stella type, or maybe it’s Jorge Polanco with the team signing a Marcus Semien or Didi Gregorius type. So to me, the potential Rule 5 pick might be a plus defensive infielder that can play ideally play shortstop well and has some offensive potential. That player can be the #2 utility infielder and play in low-leverage situations.

 

So here are some names that I find quite intriguing and if the Twins selected them, I would be very interested in seeing how they perform at spring training. (Also of note, if they select any player, I will be very interested in seeing how they perform at spring training.)

 

Dauris Valdez - Call me crazy, but I will always be intrigued by velocity. Valdez is right-handed and stands 6-8 and is built strong. He is currently in the Padres organization and pitched in Double-A in 2019. As a 23-year-old, he struck out 68 batters in 55 ⅓ innings. He posted a 4.23 ERA and a 1.428 WHIP because, despite the fastball, he still gave up 51 hits and walked 28 batters. A year earlier, he walked 29 and struck out 76 batters in 53 ⅓ High-A innings before striking out 15 batters in 10 innings in the Arizona Fall League. That said, scouting reports show that he has a pretty good changeup and, you guessed it, a slider that has some potential. Again, this is what makes him intriguing. See what Wes Johnson and Pete Maki can do with him.

 

Jordan Sheffield - You might notice a pattern here. Sheffield throws an upper-90s fastball and has a good changeup. He’s just lacked much control. In 2019, between High-A and Double-A, he struck out 74 batters in just 55 innings. However, he also walked 54 batters. That’s pretty consistent with his stats from previous seasons. His younger brother is Justus Sheffield who is in the Mariners starting rotation as a 24-year-old. Jordan Sheffield was a Dodgers first round pick in 2016 out of Vanderbilt.

 

Oliver Ortega - The right-hander has been a starter in the Angels system since signing with them. In High-A in 2019,e he had 121 strikeouts and 49 walks in 94 ⅓ innings. He struggled in five Double-A starts. He has a good fastball and a big-breaking curveball (noteworthy). I think he’s an intriguing guy as a reliever because of those impressive strikeout numbers as a starter.

 

Zach Pop - Like Jordan Balazovic, Pop played for the Ontario Blue Jays during his amateur years. He made just eight appearances in 2019 (0.84 ERA, strikeout per inning) before needing Tommy John surgery. But, a year earlier, he pitched at three levels and posted a 1.53 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP with 64 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.It’s a similar situation to the Twins Tyler Wells. Pop throws a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and has a really good slider. Is he healthy? If not, the Twins could utilize the Injured List to their advantage. .

 

Stephen Gonsalves - This one might surprise people (unless you looked at the picture associated with this article), but I think Gonsalves is really intriguing, even looking past the fact that he was the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in both 2016and 2017. The former Twins top prospectwas DFAd following an injury-filled 2019 season. He ended his 2018 season with seven games with the Twins during which he went 2-2 with a 6.57 ERA in 24 ⅔ innings. He was claimed by the Mets and then DFAd. Then he was claimed by the Red Sox and DFAd. But he spent the summer at the alternate site of the Red Sox. When we last saw him, his fastball was topping out at 89-90 mph. Reports from Boston say that he was hitting 94-95 this summer. Following the season, he re-signed with the Red Sox on a minor league deal. Gonsalves, if 100% healthy could compete for a fifth starter job, long reliever or low-leverage reliever. And with his secondary pitches, there is some upside here for the long-term.

 

 

Infielders

 

Frankly, there aren’t many intriguing middle infielder options that would intrigue me enough to use a Rule 5 pick on. They’ve already signed former Red Sox shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin and former big leaguers Rob Refsnyder to minor league deals. Both have big-league time and could fill in as the second utility infielder just fine. Lin played 26 games for the Red Sox in 2020 and played shortstop, second base, all three outfield positions and even pitched and caught one game. The Twins also have Travis Blankenhorn and if things go well early in the season, Royce Lewis may be an option later in the years. Maybe even Jose Miranda.

 

But, I figured I should mention an intriguing Rule 5 possibility in the infield.

 

Shervyen Newton - What makes Newton intriguing to me is that he is available and he is still just 21 years old. He’s also 6-4 and strong with a lot of power potential. Now, he’s not a great defender but he can play both middle infield positions. Seems like the kind of hitter that might be intriguing if we thought there would be 28-man rosters. The ceiling here appears to be something like Jonathan Schoop, another player from Curacao.

 

And just to be thorough, I don’t think that the team should really have much (ok any) interest in selecting an outfielder or first baseman, and they are just fine behind the plate too.

 

Are there any names available that are intriguing to you?

 

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[twinstalker]

As a fake doctor, take my word that Gonsalves needed TJS before he left here. I don't know whether he's had it, but I wouldn't touch him if he hasn't. Also, I don't know he qualifies here. He's way more than a 6 yr minor leaguer even. I don't think he's subject to Rule V.

[Tom Froemming]

Brian Howard, RHP currently with the A's.

[HrbieFan]

How about Tyler Zombro from the Rays? http://m.milb.com/milb/player/677742

[mikelink45]

Nice work, I know nothing about any of these players- except Gonsalves.  I was always disappointed with his lack of success, but would not want to try again.

 

 

[Twinsfan#2]

Livan Soto, 20 yo SS on the Angels AAA team. Good glove, good contact, not much power, but also only 20 so could still develop.

[Danchat]

I wouldn't hate it if the Twins drafted a reliever and tried to develop him into something. But outside of that, I'd be fine if they didn't make any selection,

[saviking]

I always liked Gonsalves. His problem was lack of velocity on his fastball. If in fact he can throw 94-95 mph now I find him an intriguing target ..

[Doctor Gast]

Like you said a good possibility is that the Twins could pick up a Rule 5 pitcher or 2 (can you select more than 1?) & use him as a rotating relief option. I like Valdez also, another one I like is Brett de Geus, RHP, Dodgers. de Geus also           has           very good control & has good stuff. I'm sure LAD would like to keep him but are backed up w/ great pitchers. Candidates compete w/ our   prospects for relief spots & see if they stick. Duran  &   Balazovich , I'd like to hold back to get their innings in the minors to help develop them as starters

[Seth Stohs]

 

I wouldn't hate it if the Twins drafted a reliever and tried to develop him into something. But outside of that, I'd be fine if they didn't make any selection,

 

That's where I am too, honestly. A reliever with big-time stuff would be great, unless they are convicted that a guy can be a starting pitcher. I don't see the need for a position player. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Also, I don't know he qualifies here. He's way more than a 6 yr minor leaguer even. I don't think he's subject to Rule V.

 

Gonsalves is absolutely eligible for the Rule 5. He's a minor leaguer beyond the timeline needed to be eligible, he's signed to a minor league contract and can be taken. 

 

That's why, often, you'll see teams announce minor league signings of veterans after the Rule 5 draft. If they happen before, they're eligible to be taken. 

[rdehring]

 

Gonsalves is absolutely eligible for the Rule 5. He's a minor leaguer beyond the timeline needed to be eligible, he's signed to a minor league contract and can be taken. 

 

That's why, often, you'll see teams announce minor league signings of veterans after the Rule 5 draft. If they happen before, they're eligible to be taken. 

Didn't that exact thing happen to the Twins, say five or so years ago?

 

Can't remember who and not even whether it was a pitcher or position player. But do recall it happening.

[ashbury]

Like you said a good possibility is that the Twins could pick up a Rule 5 pitcher or 2 (can you select more than 1?) & use him as a rotating relief option. I like Valdez also, another one I like is Brett de Geus, RHP, Dodgers. de Geus also           has           very good control & has good stuff. I'm sure LAD would like to keep him but are backed up w/ great pitchers. Candidates compete w/ our   prospects for relief spots & see if they stick. Duran  &   Balazovich , I'd like to hold back to get their innings in the minors to help develop them as starters

Good call on De Geus. Rangers took him #2.

 

[Doctor Gast]

I was hoping that Akil Baddoo would get passed over, not such luck #3. Zack Pop #6 & Jordon Sheffield #8.