I don't understand how much of a deal they think they will get on Gray. There is only a 1M difference between 1 and 2 and Gray is virtually assured of being drafted at #2. The Astros might pick him regardless. Last year the Astros saved 2.4M by taking Correa. If they are going to save money then going after a guy like Meadows/Denney/Frazier makes sense since they are in the back half of the top 10.

I have a "pool of money question"

 

The Twins have 8.5 mil to spend this year (and that covers both draft and international signings?). If they don't sign the #4 pick, obviously they have that slotted money to spend elsewhere. They could pay more to #42 and spend more in the international signings.

 

Fast forward to the 2014 draft...

 

Twins get the #5 pick because of not signing their #4 this year, and whatever draft pick they "earn" from their 2013 record. Would that generate a significantly larger pool of money (say $11 mil)?

Also, how much more fun would all of this be if teams could trade draft picks?

I have a "pool of money question"

 

The Twins have 8.5 mil to spend this year (and that covers both draft and international signings?). If they don't sign the #4 pick, obviously they have that slotted money to spend elsewhere. They could pay more to #42 and spend more in the international signings.

 

Fast forward to the 2014 draft...

 

Twins get the #5 pick because of not signing their #4 this year, and whatever draft pick they "earn" from their 2013 record. Would that generate a significantly larger pool of money (say $11 mil)?

 

The 8.5M is just for the American draft. There is a separate pool for the int'l draft.

 

If they don't sign the #4 pick then they lose the pool money and can't spend it elsewhere.

 

Yes, they would get the #5 pick and a larger bonus pool in 2014.

 

The Twins won't be in a position to not be able to sign a pick. I don't think Appel, Stewart or anyone else would risk not signing at pick #4 slot money. if it was pick #8 then there would be a concern but #4 slot money is a lot.

I have a "pool of money question"

 

The Twins have 8.5 mil to spend this year (and that covers both draft and international signings?). If they don't sign the #4 pick, obviously they have that slotted money to spend elsewhere. They could pay more to #42 and spend more in the international signings.

 

Fast forward to the 2014 draft...

 

Twins get the #5 pick because of not signing their #4 this year, and whatever draft pick they "earn" from their 2013 record. Would that generate a significantly larger pool of money (say $11 mil)?

 

They have 8.5m to spend on the draft (I think they have another 3.7 on international but they aren't combined). If they don't sign #4 pick, they lose the 4.5m slotted by MLB for that pick. They can't use it elsewhere.

 

If they don't sign the #4 pick and have the #7 pick from their record, next years draft bonus would be pretty high (last year the Twins had the highest pool because they had the 2nd pick but also two supp picks).

Wouldn't worry about Kris Bryant at 3B, there is a lot of talk about him 'ala Sano of years past, he's not going to stay there unless the team absolutely wants him too. He'll play 1B professionally. He also sounds a lot like the type of guy personality-wise the Twins have wet dreams over, so there's that.

Wouldn't worry about Kris Bryant at 3B, there is a lot of talk about him 'ala Sano of years past, he's not going to stay there unless the team absolutely wants him too. He'll play 1B professionally. He also sounds a lot like the type of guy personality-wise the Twins have wet dreams over, so there's that.

 

A future potential lineup with an OF of Arcia, Buxton, Hicks and an IF with Sano and Bryant at the corners could potentially be pretty good. Obviously a long way off but Sano and Buxton look like real things and Hicks/Arcia are already up.

Also, how much more fun would all of this be if teams could trade draft picks?

This year, there are some draft picks that can be traded. These come from the "competitive balance lottery". The Twins didn't get one of these draft picks for this draft. These picks are awarded to the 10 lowest revenues teams and 10 smallest market teams. They can be traded to with players, but a team can't throw one out there to move up in the regular draft order.

 

As far as trading regular picks goes, I'm not all that interested in it. With a 40 round draft, and the fact that in a good draft, a team may only sign 50% or so of the players they draft, things get a little awkward if trading picks is allowed. It works for other sports because drafted players can generally have an immediate impact on the team. It usually takes a few years even for a first round draft pick to make it to the mlb.

 

As far as this year's draft goes, it looks like the Twins are going to get one of Manaea, Stewart or Bryant. That is, unless someone else comes out of nowhere, but that's kind of unlikely at this point. I would be happy with any of those guys really.

Wouldn't worry about Kris Bryant at 3B, there is a lot of talk about him 'ala Sano of years past, he's not going to stay there unless the team absolutely wants him too. He'll play 1B professionally. He also sounds a lot like the type of guy personality-wise the Twins have wet dreams over, so there's that.

 

This is the first comment that mentions that Kris Bryant might play first base. Is this an option? The Twins have no legit answer long term at first. Maybe Travis Harrison but I see him as a Parmalee clone with limited ceiling.

Jason Churchill at ESPN wrote about the 2nd tier of college pitchers. I guess he mentions Manea, Stanek and Eads. The article is summed up at MLBTR and it says that Churchill states Manea would likely be the first of the second tier to go (duh) and he could go to the Rockies at #3, the Indians at #5 or the Red Sox at #7.

 

I'm curious why he does not think he is a possibity for the Twins at #4. Is it due to the team's track record with drafting position players, or does he know something we don't. It's an insider article and I'm not paying ESPN any more than my cable bill dictates so I don't have more info on the piece.

That's about all he says, Nick.

This is the first comment that mentions that Kris Bryant might play first base. Is this an option? The Twins have no legit answer long term at first. Maybe Travis Harrison but I see him as a Parmalee clone with limited ceiling.

 

I've read it in several scouting reports. They also mention the OF, but not many call him even an "average" third baseman.

Jason Churchill at ESPN wrote about the 2nd tier of college pitchers. I guess he mentions Manea, Stanek and Eads. The article is summed up at MLBTR and it says that Churchill states Manea would likely be the first of the second tier to go (duh) and he could go to the Rockies at #3, the Indians at #5 or the Red Sox at #7.

 

I'm curious why he does not think he is a possibity for the Twins at #4. Is it due to the team's track record with drafting position players, or does he know something we don't. It's an insider article and I'm not paying ESPN any more than my cable bill dictates so I don't have more info on the piece.

 

I chalked that one up to "Churchill isn't very good at his 'job'."

I've read it in several scouting reports. They also mention the OF, but not many call him even an "average" third baseman.

 

If the Twins draft Bryant, 1B would be the "back-up plan". They view him as "less than 50/50" sticking at 3B. They don't need another option in the corner OF and playing him at 1B probably gets his bat into the bigs the quickest. He could probably handle an outfield corner in a (slightly better than) Delmon sortaway. But with an organizational opening (potentially) at first base, why not.

Jason Churchill at ESPN wrote about the 2nd tier of college pitchers. I guess he mentions Manea, Stanek and Eads. The article is summed up at MLBTR and it says that Churchill states Manea would likely be the first of the second tier to go (duh) and he could go to the Rockies at #3, the Indians at #5 or the Red Sox at #7.

 

I'm curious why he does not think he is a possibity for the Twins at #4. Is it due to the team's track record with drafting position players, or does he know something we don't. It's an insider article and I'm not paying ESPN any more than my cable bill dictates so I don't have more info on the piece.

 

Churchill did a write up on McGuire today and he ended with this:

 

"At present, McGuire is an above-average runner, but speed is not likely to be a part of his game in pro ball. He's committed to San Diego, but he's a first-round talent and almost certain to sign. He's looked the part of a late first-round pick for me, but it only takes one club to like him a lot more than that and he could be gone in the top half of the round, with Minnesota at No. 4 the highest I've heard."

 

This is the second time has link McGuire to the Twins in the past week and I just can't see the Twins taking him that high. McGuire isnt a bad prospect but i really cant see the Twins grabbing a HS catcher at 4 with all the arms and toolsy outfielders around. As Jeremy said just chalk this up to Churchill not being good at his job.

If you draft Bryant at 4 you are doing it for his bat and his bat definitely will play at 1st.

As Jeremy said just chalk this up to Churchill not being good at his job.

 

Can't argue with that, unless someone else thinks grabbing the 2nd best HS catcher at #4 is a good move.

If you draft Bryant at 4 you are doing it for his bat and his bat definitely will play at 1st.

 

I agree. It's similar to my confusion why some people see Frazier as a better bat but would rather have Meadows simply because he has a slight chance of playing CF. If you're picking offense at #4, pick the best bat, don't qualify based on position.

I chalked that one up to "Churchill isn't very good at his 'job'."

 

He could simply be talking to different Twins scouts than you are. I'm guessing the Twins scouting staff haven't all sat down yet and compared notes.

 

That being said, I think he's off on McGuire. Somebody simply might have said they liked him better than Denny (McGuire does have a better arm and is strong on defense in general) and he took it as the Twins would consider drafting him at 4.

 

Like it's been mentioned above, if a team is taking a guy like Bryant they are taking him for his bat, the same should hold true for Denny IF someone thinks he's the best prep bat (but I don't think that's the Twins).

You are probably right. But you don't have to talk to scouts to know that the Twins would prefer a college pitcher. I can't remember if Ryan or Antony said it flat-out (maybe it was both).

 

I'm on board with cmb0252's thinking: Appel, Gray, Manaea, Bryant or Stewart. (Though not necessarily in that order.)

I'm on board with cmb0252's thinking: Appel, Gray, Manaea, Bryant or Stewart. (Though not necessarily in that order.)

 

Since the Twins pick 4th, and it's nearly certain that the first three players picked are in this list, I think we kind of need an ordering here.

I have some news that deserves a thread of its own. We'll call it a curveball, stay tuned...

I have some news that deserves a thread of its own. We'll call it a curveball, stay tuned...

 

Consider me tuned. Hopefully it is good news.

Man I wish there was a way the Twins could get Gray or Appel. We need a top of the line arm.

That being said, I think he's off on McGuire. Somebody simply might have said they liked him better than Denny (McGuire does have a better arm and is strong on defense in general) and he took it as the Twins would consider drafting him at 4.

 

Like it's been mentioned above, if a team is taking a guy like Bryant they are taking him for his bat, the same should hold true for Denny IF someone thinks he's the best prep bat (but I don't think that's the Twins).

 

More on McGuire vs Denney: Twins view McGuire as more complete package; Denney with more power. Consider McGuire mid-first round, Denney back-half of first round.

 

Interesting, yes. But sounds about right considering how the Twins operate. Sounds like Pittsburgh (who drafts 9 and 14) likes McGuire. I have my eyes on a different prep catcher, who I'll reveal in my next draft post, potentially this weekend.

More on McGuire vs Denney: Twins view McGuire as more complete package; Denney with more power. Consider McGuire mid-first round, Denney back-half of first round.

 

Interesting, yes. But sounds about right considering how the Twins operate. Sounds like Pittsburgh (who drafts 9 and 14) likes McGuire. I have my eyes on a different prep catcher, who I'll reveal in my next draft post, potentially this weekend.

 

Yep I'm sure they like Meadows over Frazier for the same reason. I'm guessing McGuire goes 9. Pittsburgh needs a pick they can sign there otherwise they lose the pick.

Yep I'm sure they like Meadows over Frazier for the same reason. I'm guessing McGuire goes 9. Pittsburgh needs a pick they can sign there otherwise they lose the pick.

 

Compensation protection is two years now. Regardless, McGuire to Pitt has steam.

Twins 9th round pick last year, only twins draftee that didn't sign in the first 10 rounds, L.J Mazzilli has had a pretty solid year. He isn't going to go in the first few rounds but he should go much higher than the 9th round.

Article from Mayo at mlb.com, Who's No. 1? Six leading candidate s for the first draft pick. Article below:

 

Who's No. 1? Six leading candidates for the first pick in 2013 First-Year Player Draft | MLB.com: News

 

Two things surprise me.

1) He has Manaea in the conversation for #1.

2) He doesn't have Stewart in the mix even though some people have link the Astros to them.

While I still think the Astros will take Appel or Gray it is an interesting read.

Based on recent developments regarding Manaea, if the Twins still want a pitcher, they pretty much have to take Stewart right?