2021 MLB Draft Day 2 Thread

[Andrew Thares]

After an exciting first day of the draft, we are onto day two featuring rounds 2 through 10. You can follow along with the Twins picks as they happen here.

 

 

The Twins walked away with two new faces to add to their prospect ranks (assuming both sign) in high school right-handed pitcher Chase Petty and high school shortstop Noah Miller. Be sure to click on the links on their names to learn more about each of those two selections.

Day two of the draft is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. CT and will feature rounds 2 through 10, along with Competitive Balance Round B, which will take place between rounds 2 and 3.

Here is a list of each of the Twins 9 picks that the Twins will have on Day two. Be sure to refresh throughout the day, as this page will be updated as the Twins make their selections.

Round 2 | 61st Overall| | Slot Value: $1,129,700

Pick: Steven Hajjar, LHP, Michigan

Steven Hajjar is a redshirt sophomore for the University of Michigan who was named First Team All Big Ten in 2021 behind a 3.09 ERA over 14 starts. You can read more about Steven Hajjar here.

Round 3 | 98th Overall | Slot Value: $593,100

Pick: Cade Povich, LHP, Nebraska

Like Steven Hajjar, Cade Povich is also a left-handed starting pitcher who was named First Team All Big Ten in 2021. After struggeling in 4 starts in 2020, Povich put together a strong 2021 season as he posted a 3.11 ERA in 81 innings pitched with 88 strikeouts and 22 walks.

Cade Povich will typically sit in the upper-80s with his fastball, but he can creep into the low-90s at times. Povich also features a curveball and changeup in his pitching repertoire.

Round 4 | 128th Overall | Slot Value: $442,900

Pick: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B, Oklahoma State

Christian Encarnacion-Strand began his college career at Yavapai College, which is a JUCO located in Prescott, Arizona. As a freshman, Encarnacion-Strand hit .402 with an OPS of 1.301 and hit 22 home runs in 56 games. As a result, he was named Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player and was a First-Team All American. He followed that up in 2020 by hitting .430 with an OPS of 1.482 and 11 home runs in just 25 games before the season was cut short.

He then transfered to Oklahoma State for the 2021 season and he continued to rake, even against a higher level of competition. In 56 games this spring, Encarnacion-Strand had a slash line of .361/.442/.661 with 15 home runs and 4 stolen bases. While Encarnacion-Strand does not have the most range in the world, he does have the power bat and a strong arm that profile well for third base should he be able to stay at the hot corner long-term.

Round 5 | 159th Overall | Slot Value: $327,200

Pick: Christian Macleod, LHP, Mississippi State

After dominating in four starts last spring, there was some hype on Christian Macleod coming into the 2021 season. While it was a dream season for Macleod's Bulldog squad who won the National Championship, it was not exactly that for Macleod individually as he put up a 5.23 ERA in 82 and 2/3 innings pitched and he struggled in the College World Series.

While the ERA is not promising, the Twins front office has shown in the past that they don't overly care about ERA and rather look to strikeout and walk rates as a better predictor of future success, and that is an area with some encouraging signs for Macleod as he had 12.3 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 this season.

Macleod's ERA was inflated heavily late in the season, likely as a result of fatigue, as he had a much more impressive 3.14 ERA before he fell apart in his final 5 starts of the season. Pitcher fatigue late this season was to be expected from many college pitchers, as they did not have a chance to build up innings the season prior as a result of the pandemic. It would not be surprising to me if the Twins noticed this and took advantage of a falling prospect who could have easily been drafted a few rounds earlier.

Round 6 | 189th Overall | Slot Value: $253,300

Pick: Travis Adams, RHP, Sacramento State

Travis Adams is a junior pitcher from Sacramento State who posted a career 3.75 ERA with 130 strikeouts and just 25 walks in 151 innings pitched across three seasons. Adams split time as both a starter and a reliever as a freshman, but pitched exclusively out of the Hornets starting rotation during his sophomore and junior seasons.

On the mound, Adams features a low-to-mid 90s fastball to go along with a well regarded changeup and an okay breaking ball. 

Round 7 | 219th Overall | Slot Value: $198,500

Pick: Jake Rucker, 2B/3B, Tennessee

Jake Rucker was an integral part of this season's Tennessee Volunteers team that made their first College World Series appearances since 2005, as he hit .330 to go along with 9 home runs and 7 stolen bases and was named First Team All-SEC as a third baseman. Rucker is a three-year starter at Tennessee and showed signs of improvement in each season, which leaves hope that there is still more room for improvement in his game.

Rucker had some consistency issues this spring, but aside from that he is a versatile defender that could find home at either second or third long-term. While Rucker won't flash any specific plus traits, he is a solid across the board player and could one day pave his way as a utility infielder at the MLB level.

Round 8 | 249th Overall | Slot Value: $164,700

Pick: Noah Cardenas, C, UCLA

UCLA catcher Noah Cardenas was a hot name coming into this spring after a strong freshman season to go along his performance in the California Collegiate League last summer. However, after a disappointing performance this spring for the Bruins he fell down draft boards. In three seasons at UCLA, Cardenas slashed .302/.407/.426 with 8 home runs and two stolen bases.

The defensive side of the ball is where Cardenas shows the most promise, as he has a plus arm and is a good defender behind the plate. With this pick, the Twins are likely betting on the upside that Cardenas has shown in the past to see if they can get that out of him once again.

Round 9 | 279th Overall | Slot Value: $150,500

Pick: Patrick Winkel, C, UConn

After a strong freshman campaign in 2019, Pat Winkel missed the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He came back in 2021 and played well enough to earn Second Team All-Big East honors. For his career, Winkel had a slash line of .300/.359/.507 and hit 18 home runs in 102 games played for the Huskies.

Winkel is a quality defender behind the plate who both receives the ball and can control the running game. There were some concerns on how good his arm would be after coming back from Tommy John surgery, but he showed he can still throw the ball well as he nabbed 32.5% of would be base stealers this spring.

Round 10 | 309th Overall | Slot Value: $142,700

Pick: Ernie Yake, SS, Gonzaga

Ernie Yake is a four-year starter at the University of Gonzaga and hit above .300 in all four of his seasons there. For his career, Yake has a .320/.392/.419 slash line with 6 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 165 games. Yake was twice named to the All-WCC Second Team.

Twins Daily 5 Best Prospects Remaining Entering Day 2

21. Will Taylor, OF, Dutch Fork HS (SC)

22. Bubba Chandler, SS/RHP, North Oconee HS (GA)

23. Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter Southfield HS (MA)

24. Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU

25. Lonnie White, OF, Malvern Prep (PA)

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[Brock Beauchamp]

Have there been any reports on who the Twins might be targeting at 61?

[TerwilligerBuntsOne]

Another year for the MLB draft, another year that I will be waiting by the phone...just in case. Don't the Twins need an almost 50 year old left-handed pitcher, who was mediocre in high school, with some, umm, command issues? I guess I could be a LOOGY at this point in my not-so-illustrious baseball career.  Your move, Falvine. Make the call. I'm still waiting!

[Rigby]

6 minutes ago, TerwilligerBuntsOne said:

Another year for the MLB draft, another year that I will be waiting by the phone...just in case. Don't the Twins need an almost 50 year old left-handed pitcher, who was mediocre in high school, with some, umm, command issues? I guess I could be a LOOGY at this point in my not-so-illustrious baseball career.  Your move, Falvine. Make the call. I'm still waiting!

Huh.......thought you were pitching for the Twins already.

[Mill1634]

One guy I'm keeping my eye on today...

OF Jud Fabian (20, Florida) - Great defensively, very young college guy. Also hit 20 homers at Florida, but has a lot of swing and miss in his game. With the defense and power, I'd take a risk if he falls to 61 (unlikely)

 

[NapoleonComplex]

In the final Fangraphs mock, Eric Longenhagen and Kevin Goldstein had the Twins connected to Matheu Nelson, C, FSU (drafted) and Edwin Arroyo, SS, Arecibo Academy (PR) based on draft patterns.

My wish list for pick 61.

1. Anthony Solometo, LHP, Bishop Eustace (NJ) - Like his unique windup/delivery, creates deceptiveness, solid comps, signability concerns?

2. Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU - Injuries have plagued him. When healthy, stuff is top 5 in draft class. 

3. Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama - IMO, Wilson fits the bill for a Falvey/Levine 2nd round pick.

 

[MN_ExPat]

27 minutes ago, NapoleonComplex said:

In the final Fangraphs mock, Eric Longenhagen and Kevin Goldstein had the Twins connected to Matheu Nelson, C, FSU (drafted) and Edwin Arroyo, SS, Arecibo Academy (PR) based on draft patterns.

My wish list for pick 61.

1. Anthony Solometo, LHP, Bishop Eustace (NJ) - Like his unique windup/delivery, creates deceptiveness, solid comps, signability concerns?

2. Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU - Injuries have plagued him. When healthy, stuff is top 5 in draft class. 

3. Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama - IMO, Wilson fits the bill for a Falvey/Levine 2nd round pick.

 

- Jaden Hill could be an interesting pick for #61 (he looked good in the CWS if he's who I'm thinking of).

- I'm also pretty sold on Bubba Chandler, very solid player from what I've heard of him and put up good numbers against some very solid competition in GA this year.

[NapoleonComplex]

Just now, MN_ExPat said:

- Jaden Hill could be an interesting pick for #61 (he looked good in the CWS if he's who I'm thinking of).

- I'm also pretty sold on Bubba Chandler, very solid player from what I've heard of him and put up good numbers against some very solid competition in GA this year.

The only reason Bubba Chandler isn't in my top 3 is because of signing concerns. I could see him choosing football at Clemson over baseball. To follow in the QB footsteps of Trevor Lawrence is a pretty solid career path. More especially after the NIL decision for NCAA athletes. Regardless of what he chooses, he has a very bright future.

[MN_ExPat]

33 minutes ago, NapoleonComplex said:

The only reason Bubba Chandler isn't in my top 3 is because of signing concerns. I could see him choosing football at Clemson over baseball. To follow in the QB footsteps of Trevor Lawrence is a pretty solid career path. More especially after the NIL decision for NCAA athletes. Regardless of what he chooses, he has a very bright future.

Very true, I had forgotten about the football option.

[Mike Sixel]

40 minutes ago, NapoleonComplex said:

The only reason Bubba Chandler isn't in my top 3 is because of signing concerns. I could see him choosing football at Clemson over baseball. To follow in the QB footsteps of Trevor Lawrence is a pretty solid career path. More especially after the NIL decision for NCAA athletes. Regardless of what he chooses, he has a very bright future.

Ya, Chandler would be financially nuts for not going to play college football at this point. 

I'm hoping more CF/SS and pitching (and a catcher) today.

[NapoleonComplex]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

Ya, Chandler would be financially nuts for not going to play college football at this point. 

I'm hoping more CF/SS and pitching (and a catcher) today.

Adrian Del Castillo was mocked a couples times to the Twins by different outlets. We are very thin at the catcher position in the system. Definitely need to come away with a college catcher (or two) today.

[Dman]

2 minutes ago, NapoleonComplex said:

Adrian Del Castillo was mocked a couples times to the Twins by different outlets. We are very thin at the catcher position in the system. Definitely need to come away with a college catcher (or two) today.

Yeah I was hoping he falls but I doubt it.  I thought they were going to grab him with the Comp pick but they liked the High schooler better.  We'll see what is left when they pick.

[prouster]

1 hour ago, Mill1634 said:

One guy I'm keeping my eye on today...

OF Jud Fabian (20, Florida) - Great defensively, very young college guy. Also hit 20 homers at Florida, but has a lot of swing and miss in his game. With the defense and power, I'd take a risk if he falls to 61 (unlikely)

 

Fabian’s power and athleticism are undeniable. The strikeouts are a huge red flag to me. Maybe it’s an approach problem that can be coached out of him, but guys who strike out a lot in college can have a really hard time making contact in pro ball. 

[operation mindcrime]

2 hours ago, TerwilligerBuntsOne said:

Another year for the MLB draft, another year that I will be waiting by the phone...just in case. Don't the Twins need an almost 50 year old left-handed pitcher, who was mediocre in high school, with some, umm, command issues? I guess I could be a LOOGY at this point in my not-so-illustrious baseball career.  Your move, Falvine. Make the call. I'm still waiting!

You probably wouldn't be much worse than Tyler Jay was for us!

[Dman]

Dang was hoping Ky Bush might fall to us.  Man rankings mean nothing when it comes to baseball.

[SteelDodo]

3 minutes ago, Dman said:

 Man rankings mean nothing when it comes to baseball.

Agreed. I think that's ESPECIALLY true in the age of COVID, where scouts maybe only were able to watch a handful of games.  Sure, everyone agrees on the top ~10 or so. After that, there is not a whole lot separating the 20th ranked player from the 50th.

[Mike Sixel]

In reading the Fangraphs coverage, they make it clear teams are all over the board in their rankings. VERY different than football for sure.

[SteveLV]

Teams must not believe in Bachman's performance in weaker conference?

[AlwaysinModeration]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

In reading the Fangraphs coverage, they make it clear teams are all over the board in their rankings. VERY different than football for sure.

Even when players are established in MLB, they can have complete busts of a year, any one of which would totally tank a potential picks draft prospects.  Let alone trying judge players in high school or college during a year plus with pandemic limitations.  Seems unsurprising that picks are all over the place.

[Dman]

And there goes Kath to the White Sox as well dang again.

 

[SteelDodo]

Also, one interesting trend I just noticed: it seems like the Twins like the Twins really like using the second round pick to take someone WAY below slot value.

Each year since 2017, the Twins only paid their second round pick ~75-80% of their slot value.

Landon Leach signed for $1,400,000 (slot value was $1,846,100).

Jeffers signed for $800k (slot value was $1,140,600).

Canterino signed for $1,100,000 (slot value was $1,338,500), 

and Soularie signed for $900,000 (slot value was $1,185,500)

[Mike Sixel]

Listening to Goldstein......great starting point to get this guy at 61....needs work. Good upside play. A LONG way to go. Everything beyond the FB needs work. A lot of room to grow. 

[2wins87]

Hajjar at 61 seems to be fitting back into this regime's MO.  Good pitching frame, one good secondary already, the coaching staff probably think they could add some velocity and will need to refine a third pitch.

[operation mindcrime]

3 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Have there been any reports on who the Twins might be targeting at 61?

I heard we're targeting Steven Hajjar!

[nicksaviking]

I thought the only universal truth in baseball was never draft a Big 10 pitcher.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

I thought the only universal truth in baseball was never draft a Big 10 pitcher.

I got the shakes .... but we'll see if this time it works!

[Mike Sixel]

Goldstein gives Pittsburgh a 70% chance of signing Chandler....

[MN_ExPat]

5 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I thought the only universal truth in baseball was never draft a Big 10 pitcher.

Just ones that go to Michag... oops ?.

All kidding aside, I'm sure the young man will be fine and good luck to him on the next stage of his journey.

[MN_ExPat]

Interesting to see Chandler go to the Bucs at the start of round 3.  I have a feeling though that he will likely follow through with his commit to Clemson.

[NapoleonComplex]

1 minute ago, MN_ExPat said:

Interesting to see Chandler go to the Bucs at the start of round 3.  I have a feeling though that he will likely follow through with his commit to Clemson.

At the top of the MLB Network broadcast, Jim Callis heard on "good authority" that the Clemson football team would be very disappointed with the 1st pick of round two. Pittsburgh using the 1st pick in round three tells me Clemson may not be as disappointed as originally thought.