If the Twins want Stewart they will pay him more or less slot and he will sign.

 

Yes. It could be that simple.

I should probably watch how I word this, but I'm a big fan of Ball's, too. With his physical tools and what sounds like a pretty smart approach to developing his game (uses a wooden bat now & didn't even try a breaking pitch until he reached the high school level,) he seems pretty committed to improving his skills package. Plus he appears to have the flexibility of switching from either the bump or the box if he should falter at whichever position he tries first. Personally, I'd start him in the OF and see if he can handle the stick at the pro level. If it doesn't work out in a few years, he should be physically mature with a well rested cannon from the left side. There's always room in the pen at least for a southpaw who can throw in the mid-90's.

Edited May 27, 201313 yr by mudcat14

Regardless of the money if you could cut a deal with the redsox that would keep you out of the MN Twins org, wouldn't you do it? Every athlete wants to win championships, right? People were upset that Buxton looked unhappy when the Twins drafted him, but can you blame him? Until the Twins realise that the game revolves around POWER, power hitting and power pitching, the Twins are an undesirable landing spot for most prospects/free agents.

Assuming Grey and Appel are gone the Twins should take Ball or Bryant. They have to take Bryant if he's there and Ball if he's not. They should stay away from Stewart for multiple reasons. Shipley would be OK but Mcguire would be a huge disappointment.

Assuming Grey and Appel are gone the Twins should take Ball or Bryant. They have to take Bryant if he's there and Ball if he's not. They should stay away from Stewart for multiple reasons. Shipley would be OK but Mcguire would be a huge disappointment.

 

And these reasons to stay away from Stewart are what exactly? Why then is Stewart considered to be better HS talent than Ball? I get that Ball is a leftie, which is a plus, but this is odd.

In the process of digging more up on Ball and Shipley and the Twins interest in them. Every day the interest in McGuire appears more legitimate.

Every day the interest in McGuire appears more legitimate.

Ugh. Color me less than enthused by that thought.

Anyone else think Stewart is similar to JO Berrios?

Anyone else think Stewart is similar to JO Berrios?

 

Not me. Stewart is taller and a freak athlete. His fastball is about the same speed but because of his height has a downward plane to it. Both have two advanced pitches but Stewart has a significantly higher chance to be an ace. If you want a J.O. comparison look at Kyle Serrano. Young, 2 advanced pitches, good control, but only 6 foot.

Current developments suggest the Twins have narrowed their focus to Stewart, McGuire and one other unknown player. This assumes 1-3 go as expected.

Current developments suggest the Twins have narrowed their focus to Stewart, McGuire and one other unknown player. This assumes 1-3 go as expected.

 

This excites AND terrifies me. I'll be overjoyed with Stewart but very disappointed with McGuire.

My hope is that the Twins are trying to keep Stewart's price down by claiming they have other options. My concern with Stewart isn't that the Twins won't be able to sign him underslot but rather that he's going to try to max out the +5% of the Twins draft pool. I don't care about the money but this might cause the Twins to pick a lesser player.

My concern with Stewart is the leverage he has with a Texas A&M football scholarship in the bank. No way he settles for anything less than slot money plus, IMHO.

We're going to discuss this at 10 pm.