THorpe at 17 , is probably not going to end up being 6'1" ..... Don't you think closer to 6'3" ? I do. Even if he is 6'1 or 6'2 ...thats juuust enough.

 

Johan Santana is listed at 6" 0", which I believe is a little generous.

Being tall is no guarantee of success, just as being under 6' 3" does not mean that the guy can't pitch successfully in MLB.

 

For years the Twins specifically drafted tall pitchers. That was one of the things they really took into account.

 

Now when we need good pitchers we get them as free agents.

If Thorpe were American, finishing his final year of high school and entering the draft this year, where would he go?

 

A few months back I asked a similar question to some draft expert (I think it was Jim Callis, but I no longer remember exactly who. The article/expert escape me, and I haven't been able to dig it up) The article was about HS pitchers for the upcoming draft. I specifically asked which HS pitchers in the 2014 draft would perform as well as or better than Thorpe did this past year. He thought only two would be better (Holmes and Kolek). Now, this doesn't mean that he thought Thorpe is the 3rd best HS pitcher because they way I phrased the question it didn't take into account future projection (ex. a HS pitcher with amazing stuff but no command may be drafted higher based on hopes and dreams). It was focused more on his current stuff and polish. However, my takeaway was that Thorpe would be considered one of the better HS pitchers in this draft - definitely a 1st round pick, and maybe even taken in the top half.

Johan Santana is listed at 6" 0", which I believe is a little generous.

Being tall is no guarantee of success, just as being under 6' 3" does not mean that the guy can't pitch successfully in MLB.

 

For years the Twins specifically drafted tall pitchers. That was one of the things they really took into account.

 

Now when we need good pitchers we get them as free agents.

 

No, his height shouldn't be a problem, I was merely noting that in a perfect world, he's be more in the 6'3"-4" range.

 

Of course, he could still get there. I'm 6'4" and didn't stop growing until I was around 20.

Left handed, touches 95mph as a 17 year old, still gets to play half a season before the draft...

 

Sounds a lot like a first round pick to me. The only thing going against the kid is that he's only 6'1".

 

I don't remember if it was Sickle's site or BA, but someone with a scouting background said 1st rounder if he was in this year's draft. The hype is legit. Continued success in the MWL, and he's going to be top 100 next year.

I've seen several guys say he'd be a 1st Round talent in this years draft.

 

And Thorpe is already 6'2" 215 according to Baseball America, and still growing obviously.

 

Hell, I was 6 foot tall as a senior in HS, am nearly 6'3" now. Wish I could pack on some pounds like he has though...

I think Law has said that Sano's issue is contact, too much swing and miss, but that the glove should play at third. As he faces harder competition and keeps growing he has to prove he can keep the average up, otherwise he'll just be another Three True Outcomes guy instead of a true monster.

Edited February 5, 201412 yr by Cris E
typo

I definitely agree. But its not the GCL numbers or the Aussie numbers that have raised my interest, recent scouting reports have shown increased velocity since he signed and his overall stuff sounds pretty good. I agree with the notion that we should temper our expectations for the kid, but I'm definitely intrigued.

 

Well stated. The steak is in the reports, not in the stats. But yes, there may be a little to much sizzle going on.

Any of you guys insider members?

 

I am, but I can't seem to find Keith Law's top 15 Twins list. I see where it casually mentions "#11 Engelb Vielma and #13 Danny Santana" but not the others who round out his top 15.

 

Would appreciate the link if anyone has it.

 

Thanks.

Any of you guys insider members?I am, but I can't seem to find Keith Law's top 15 Twins list. I see where it casually mentions "#11 Engelb Vielma and #13 Danny Santana" but not the others who round out his top 15. Would appreciate the link if anyone has it. Thanks.

I don't know if he ever released a Top 15 article, but the top 17 are all listed here. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10369775/american-league-central-top-10-prospects-team-2014-mlb