I'd be shocked if the 4 guys aren't Gray, Appel, Bryant and Stewart in that order. With all the talk (and criticism) I don't believe for a second the Twins are seriously considering a questionable hitting defensive catcher at the 4th pick.

 

Here is a quote from Mike Radcliff:

 

"We have enough guys we have no problem taking," Radcliff said. "Dollars, risk, creativity, we can go many ways."

 

Creativity certainly implies one of the four is McGuire. Gray, Appel, Bryant, Stewart are all expecting to go high at this point and will expect to get paid accordingly so they aren't going to allow any creativity.

Bummed I won't be able to watch the draft live on Thurs due to another engagement but ill be on right after ready to discuss. It's almost draft week!

Bummed I won't be able to watch the draft live on Thurs due to another engagement but ill be on right after ready to discuss. It's almost draft week!

 

Haha, I told my girl friend to make plans with her friends so I can drink and watch the draft with a few of my buddies. While it is exciting to draft this high because of the impact talent I'm ready for drafting in the 20s again.

Haha, I told my girl friend to make plans with her friends so I can drink and watch the draft with a few of my buddies. While it is exciting to draft this high because of the impact talent I'm ready for drafting in the 20s again.

Well done! Mine is a "preparing for a newborn" class so I can't really get out of it. Priorities! Best believe ill be taking a "bathroom break" around the time we pick tho!

I have to be honest I really would not be disappointed anymore if they reached for Reese McGuire.

MLB Network right now, top 50 draft prospects show with Jonathan Mayo, etc.

Jason Hursh is a name I haven't been too familiar with - sounds like he's pretty solid.

I don't understand why it sounds like the Twins have no interest in Ryan Boldt. Kid seems like a really good prospect and probably could be higher ranked if not for injury.

I don't understand why it sounds like the Twins have no interest in Ryan Boldt. Kid seems like a really good prospect and probably could be higher ranked if not for injury.

He definitely would be higher ranked. I dunno. Perfect 1/2 rounds for me would be Stewart and Boldt.

MLB Draft ‏@MLBDraft26s

Reynolds on @TAMU commit @KohlStewart1: "Love the competitiveness, guts, courage, leadership. If anybody had any guts, they'd take him first

 

Kiley McDaniel ‏@kileymcd51s

Manaea/medicals isn't only draft mystery. Won't say name but likely 1st rdpick is so shielded some interested clubs have never talked to him

Jason Hursh is a name I haven't been too familiar with - sounds like he's pretty solid.

 

This is his first year back from TJ surgery so he is kind of a wild card. Has a fastball that sits in the 93-96 range but has 98 before. Due to TJ surgery his secondary pitches are way behind which make some people think he might be a relief pitcher long term. If his change up/slider develop he could be a solid prospect.

MLB Network right now, top 50 draft prospects show with Jonathan Mayo, etc.

 

Harold Reynolds and Mayo both high on Reese McGuire and Kohl Stewart.

I don't understand why it sounds like the Twins have no interest in Ryan Boldt. Kid seems like a really good prospect and probably could be higher ranked if not for injury.

 

The Twins love toolsy outfielders so there must be something there they don't like. What? No clue. Before the injury he was a top 20 talent. Once again, as they showed last year with Mitch Brown, they won't just take a kid because he is local.

That's not a consisent thing though, other sources (like Kiley McDaniel) say the Twins do have a lot of interest in Boldt. We'll see this week who's correct.

He definitely would be higher ranked. I dunno. Perfect 1/2 rounds for me would be Stewart and Boldt.

 

I'm starting to hope Denney keeps falling. Catchers often do. It does sound like the Reds (two picks before or second round pick) and the Yankees (three picks before our second round pick) are in on him though. I prefer Denney > Boldt any day.

I'm starting to hope Denney keeps falling. Catchers often do. ...

The're can also be runs on catchers, where guys get drafted early too.

I'm fine with catcher, as long as it's not at #4

The're can also be runs on catchers, where guys get drafted early too.

 

Oh definitely. As has been noted above some experts feel there could be a run on bats in the late first round because of it being a week hitting class. Especially in the MI positions. Also, this is a very deep catching class so the Twins don't have to take one early. I just love Denney's bat.

An article from Mackey- Twins Notes: MLB draft 'is the most important time of the year'

 

1500espn.com Mobile

 

Few interesting comments. Here is one from Ryan:

 

"My role would be to take the blame when we don't do well, but I also get the praise when we do well. That's not fair," Ryan said. "I shouldn't get the praise when we get a good selection. Joe Mauer (in 2001) -- well that ought to go to (VP of player personnel) Mike Radcliffe. When we take a guy that doesn't pan out, all the GMs take the fall -- which it should be. We get all of the praise, and we should get all the criticism. That's my role. ..."

And one from Johnson on drafting multi sport high school players:

 

"If he's a dual-sport guy I think you can get a better read on makeup when you watch them in another sport," Johnson said. "You see a guy play basketball or football and you can see how he reacts in different situations. ... So I've always kind of believed in that, right or wrong. I remember as an area scout watching CC Sabathia play football and basketball, and we got a pretty good makeup read on him back then. ...

A few scout notes on regional player from Christopher Crawford:

 

A NL scout on Gray's performance:

 

“There were some less-than-ideal things, but some encouraging moments as well,” an NL scout said. “It’s good to see him bounce back from the early struggles. Coastal Carolina has a good lineup and they will make you battle, and I think he did that [Friday]. With that being said, that pitch count is pretty exorbitant, no matter if he isn’t pitching for another week or another year.”

 

An AL scout on Stanek:

 

"You have to throw strikes if you’re going to be a top-10 pick, and [stanek] just doesn’t do that often enough,” an AL scout said. “He’s got a plus fastball and a plus curve, but a guy with 40 [on the 20-80 scouting scale] command and no changeup? That’s a reliever, if you ask me.”

 

NL East scout on Bryant:

 

"I’d certainly consider [taking him first],” an NL East scout said. “This all depends on cost, of course. But I don’t know why you wouldn’t consider the best bat in the class with the first pick. If [Mark] Appel or Gray were [stephen] Strasburg then it’s not even debatable, but they’re not. If you take any other bat with the No. 1 overall pick, it’s a mistake.”

 

AL scout on Moran:

 

"I don’t see it,” an AL East executive said. “He’s a nice player, he’s got one of the better hit tools in this draft, but I don’t see any way you can take him with the first pick over guys like Appel and Bryant and Gray. I implicitly understand the thought process of signing him for half the allotted fee or whatever Houston and his people work out, but it would be two years in a row of not getting the best talent on the board. And in this case, I think not even one of the top three talents available. I’m not sure if that’s good process”

 

If you have insider you can see several other scout quotes on the draft and notes on their regional performances from CC. Link below:

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb-draft/post?id=729

Two big developments for Twins possible draft choices today: Jonathan Gray tested positive for Adderall during the pre-draft testing. There's no guarantee this drops him, but it doesn't help his chances. Much better chance at him today, than yesterday.

 

Also, Texas A&M today signed 5-star QB recruit Kyle Allen, lessening Kohl Stewart's leverage - pretty much evaporating the "leverage" he has/had.

So gray was up late studying and took adderall to stay focused...sounds ok to me. As for stewart...he was the number 6 qb in his class so he still has some leverage.

Also, stewart is a 2013 recruit while this kid is still a junior in high school. Basically tye same kid but a year younger. This changes nothing for Stewart's leverage

I think this lessens the chances of the 'stros taking Moran; they can probably get similar savings by taking Gray at this point...

While I don't think A&M signing another QB 'evaporates' Stewarts leverage, I also don't think it 'changes nothing'. Stewart likely won't play QB this year as the Aggies have a fella by the name of Manziel, and the signing of another QB for the following year would affect Kohl's thinking in some way I would think or at least cause him to question A&M's commitment to him.

He still has some leverage, but it would seem fairly foolish to turn down $4 mill. If the Twins draft him, I trust that they are very confident he will sign.

Two big developments for Twins possible draft choices today: Jonathan Gray tested positive for Adderall during the pre-draft testing. There's no guarantee this drops him, but it doesn't help his chances. Much better chance at him today, than yesterday.

 

Also, Texas A&M today signed 5-star QB recruit Kyle Allen, lessening Kohl Stewart's leverage - pretty much evaporating the "leverage" he has/had.

 

Both could be good things for the Twins. Now they may be able to sign Stewart with more ease, or they will be able to get Gray because this news could cause him to fade down a couple spots. But I dont think many people will care about Gray testing positive for Adderal, I mean hes in college and playing baseball which has to be draining.

Both could be good things for the Twins. Now they may be able to sign Stewart with more ease, or they will be able to get Gray because this news could cause him to fade down a couple spots. But I dont think many people will care about Gray testing positive for Adderal, I mean hes in college and playing baseball which has to be draining.

 

Law mentioned he didn't think it would effect his draft status. I would be lying if I said I never used "study aid" in college. None story for me unless it pushes him to us at #4.

 

What interests me more is the Kyle Allen thing. Stewarts one trump card was A&M and while this doesn't negate that, it sure doesn't hurt. If this even knocks off a few 100k from Stewarts asking price it could lead to a better spec at #43.

SB Nation put together a bunch of FREE scouting reports first round talent at this link:

 

MLB Draft 2013: Scouting reports round-up - SBNation.com

I think it's important to note that the Kyle Allen "signing" is not a signing at all but rather a verbal commitment. No player is allowed to "sign" with a college until the first Wednesday in February. Until then there have been and will be many verbals that will change often. Verballing in college football is getting crazy, some guys verbal to 3 and 4 schools before actually signing on signing day. Plus, great schools usually get a 4 or 5 star qb in every class.

Yeah, was just saying - it COULD factor some. May not, but it could. In both cases (Stewart, Gray)