The Mocks: 2014 MLB Draft (Twins Pick #5)

[InfraRen]

Fresh Mock Draft From Dan Kirby (MLB.com/TTFBaseball)

 

TOP 5

 

1. Houston Astros — Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

 

2. Miami Marlins — Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

 

3. Chicago White Sox — Jacob Gatewood, SS, Clovis HS (CA)

 

4. Chicago Cubs — Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

 

5. Minnesota Twins — Tyler Kolek, RHP, Sheppard HS (TX)

After selecting flamethrower Kohl Stewart fourth-overall this year, the Twins can add another power arm in Kolek, a 6’-6”, 240 pound right-hander who can touch triple-digits with his fastball. I got to see him throw at Wrigley and he was hitting 99 mph with ease. He also shows a good feel for a slider that has plus potential. His size suggests even more velocity could be coming, and he has great body control considering his frame. He has been timed at 4.8 in the 40, showing great athleticism. He is another in a long line of country strong, hard throwers from the state of Texas.

 

Read more at 2014 MLB mock draft 2.0: Draft order set

 

2014 MLB mock draft 2.0: Draft order set

[InfraRen]

I find myself pulling for Kolek, Gatewood or Hoffman right now. But I also have a lot of "research" to do still.

[Seth Stohs]

Too funny that there are mocks for the 2014 draft already... interesting reading the names, but will be interesting to see what happens from February through May.

[InfraRen]

Yup! Very early, figured I'd start the thread and we can post/discuss as the months go by inching towards the draft!

[Oldgoat_MN]

Absolutely silly to have this here already.

Thank you!

 

I'm sure we'll get a lot of movement on these lists. Kohl Stewart wasn't even on the list of top prep players until he was well into his senior year. (or so I read)

[nicksaviking]

Last year at this time I the top five seemed to be Appel, Manaea, Stanek, Meadows and Frazier.

 

All stayed in the first round and Appel, Meadows and Frazier remained in the top 10. We'll see.

 

Just for fun, my prediction: Rodon stays on top and goes number one. Hoffman tails off and has question marks like Manaea, falling to the end of round one. Gatewood cruises to a top three pick. Kolek stays hot but others pass him, he stays in the top ten but not top five. Turner hits a roadblock and falls into the 15-20 range. My Jon Gray guess for 2014 is Michael Cederoth who ends up top 3.

[nfisch22]

Kolek or Turner is who I am really hoping for. Turner would give us a stud at a premium position not to mention a lead off man. Kolek on the other hand gives more pitching depth which the Twins most definitely need.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I find myself pulling for Kolek, Gatewood or Hoffman right now. But I also have a lot of "research" to do still.

 

Agreed, we really won't be able to form an opinion till mid spring. These guys (with Rodon who won't be there at 5) are who I'd be looking at very closely.

 

A 1-2 punch of Stewart/Kolek could be nasty.

[John Bonnes]

Point of order.... How is it decided who gets the fourth pick since the Cubs and Twins had identical records at the end of the year?

[Bort]

I just looked this up the other day when I was hoping we would surpass the Cubs in the draft order. It is by place in the standings if I understood it correctly. I believe either way the Cubs beat the Twins as they were last in their division compared to second to last for the Twins, and second worst in the NL compared to third worst for the Twins.

[Chance]

It goes by last years overall record. Cubs were worse than us last year.

[SarasotaBill]

Tie breaker is the prior year's record

[Chance]

Too funny that there are mocks for the 2014 draft already... interesting reading the names, but will be interesting to see what happens from February through May.

 

This is what keeps us going, Seth.

[Bort]

I stand corrected. I must have misinterpreted what I read and it conveniently worked for the Cubs and Twins this year. My apologies.

[Monkeypaws]

Well there you go, this team has a LONG way to go before competing with the Cubs in general suckitude.

[Chance]

It maybe be too early to truely guesstimate our 5th overall pick, but we have had nothing to complain about 4 out of the last 5 years from our first round selections. The one blemish maybe Levi Micheal and even with him it's to early to tell. The other 4 were: Kohl Stewart, Byron Buxton, Alex Wimmers, and Kyle Gibson. Odds are we will have another prospect to get excited about in just a few months!

[cmb0252]

While it is way too early to mock most of the names we know now will be the same names come draft time. At least when talking about potential top 5 guys. If we had say the 25th pick, we wouldn't be complaining about bring back Gardy, and would be talking about this prematurely.

[maxisagod]

Screw Premature. There are some names on this years list that have so much talent they will always stay top 10, Barring injury or religious conversion to football that is.

 

Rodon is the top talent, unless there is a money issues, he doesn't fall past the White Sox. Turner will always have his talent but could get lapped by guys having better years, but not do to a loss of ability.

My main prediction will be that teams will commit to their guys early and we'll know who the top 3-4 are 2 weeks in advance.

[Dman]

Given what we know currently I think that mock is pretty much on. I don't think Turner will go that high. It seems lots of people prefer power over speed but maybe Turner is just that good. I think Turner will drop. I also have seen Mocks with Kolek at number 3 or 4. If he does well in the spring I don't think he will make it number 5. It would be pretty cool if the Twins did get him though. Two guys that might throw the ball in the triple digits would be pretty cool.

 

No matter what the order is it appears the Twins will get a difference maker and potential all star. I think the top 10 to 12 players could be incredible this year. Let's just hope the guy we pick is the best guy for this team.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Point of order.... How is it decided who gets the fourth pick since the Cubs and Twins had identical records at the end of the year?

 

What Chance said... Last year's record is the tie breaker.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I don't think we see Cedaroth make a huge jump. His velo is there, but his delivery is violent. Gray jumped when his velo went up.

 

Lots of good talk, though. Love it.

[twinsin17]

Tyler Beede, Sean Newcomb and Luke Weaver are college arms I'll be paying attention to next spring. Maybe it's the result of 3 straight abysmal seasons but the idea of getting a pitcher who can help our Twinkies win games in 1-2 years appeals more to me than hoping a HS pitcher (Kolek) learns to throw strikes in the Gulf Coast League next summer.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Beede has struggled to throw strikes for two years at Vandy. Newcomb relatively unknown. I watched Weaver pitch once late in the year and got a Kevin Slowey vibe... was surprised to see him ranked so high. I do agree, though, that a college arm would be more appealing. Can't you wait for a Meyer, Kolek, Stewart rotation in four years?

[Monkeypaws]

Beede has struggled to throw strikes for two years at Vandy. Newcomb relatively unknown. I watched Weaver pitch once late in the year and got a Kevin Slowey vibe... was surprised to see him ranked so high. I do agree, though, that a college arm would be more appealing. Can't you wait for a Meyer, Kolek, Stewart rotation in four years?

 

You give me hope sir!

[cmb0252]

Beede has struggled to throw strikes for two years at Vandy. Newcomb relatively unknown. I watched Weaver pitch once late in the year and got a Kevin Slowey vibe... was surprised to see him ranked so high. I do agree, though, that a college arm would be more appealing. Can't you wait for a Meyer, Kolek, Stewart rotation in four years?

 

Kiley McDaniels had Newcomb as a big time sleeper. Had scouts compare him to Lester. While a college arm would be great unless Beede finds his command I'm not sure there will be a great option there if your looking college arm.

[nicksaviking]

Tyler Beede, Sean Newcomb and Luke Weaver are college arms I'll be paying attention to next spring. Maybe it's the result of 3 straight abysmal seasons but the idea of getting a pitcher who can help our Twinkies win games in 1-2 years appeals more to me than hoping a HS pitcher (Kolek) learns to throw strikes in the Gulf Coast League next summer.

 

Jose Fernandez and Dylan Bundy got to the show just as fast as most college arms. We all know the belief about the Twins and the delayed development but perhaps the movement of Buxton can give us some hope that practice is over.

[Kwak]

Basically all four above the Twins will target pitching 1st--with a slight possibility of WSOX going SS/3B. The way the Twins have screamed starting pitching Monday, they have pretty much painted themselves in a corner to select a SP--which is good! What can't be done is to draft a guy who has had a serious arm/shoulder injury--even if he projects to Nolan Ryan II! When Gibson was drafted, the rotation was "functional" and the reward justified the risk. It would be almost as big of a mistake to pick a Wimmers II wasting a 5th OA selection in a "good year" of the draft. The likelihood of a nearly-ready, top-of-the rotation pitcher falling to the Twins at 5th is remote. They should not select the "safer, quicker" college guy but rather roll the dice and select the best high-school pitcher who projects much higher. The Twins tend to promote at a glacial pace anyway--take the younger guy!

[the_youngster]

If Beede solves his control issues, I'm pulling for him. He's been a favorite of mine for a while, and reminds me of all of the young Rays pitchers, which would be a huge plus if he could live up to their quality. But whoever it is, at #5 its a good pick to have in 2014 (at least from where we stand right now). None of this #4 with a "three player draft" business from last year.

[howieramone1406390264]

I agree the 5th pick this year looks outstanding. I would not mind taking two college starting pitchers with our 2 top picks. I've been looking at others, but I'll take a look at Beede also. Thanks!

[Spicoli]

Honestly we should wait til about a month away from the draft to discuss this because so much changes from now til then. I mean what would of happened if the top 5 at this point last year stayed the top 5 in the draft? Well the draft would of been way different.