Mock Drafts Favor Hitters

Hearing a couple of things surfing around the net. One it sounds like after the first 6 or seven players teams view a lot of the next tier as all fairly close and they might try to see who is willing to cut deals so they can spend on the more volatile high school pitchers in the 2nd round.

Also I think Callis mentioned the Twins might be on Neto a high contact bat.  Think Arraez, Miranda, type of player.  He could stick at short as he has the arm and actions but isn't real fast.  Might have to move to 2nd base but in this high strike out era having guys that get the bat to the ball is important and the Twins might be able to cut a deal with him as well.

I am trying to come around on Berry but another position less player high in the draft seems tough take at this point.  Still having a Switch hitting, power swinging first baseman DH could be an advantage if the bat remains elite all the way through.  

I still think a high school player would fit this team the best as they don't really need a fast moving bat IMO so Collier at this point looks like the one to possibly fall and if he does I would take him if I were the Twins.  I still like Cole Young but not sure if that is too early and if he would take a discount.

Lot's of ways the Twins can go will be interesting to see how the top 6 plays out and what is left for the Twins.

I tend to think it’s good to draft high quality college bats early, because they pan out at a higher rate. But man, I really hope they don’t take another DH in the first round. I’m hoping the Georgia Tech catcher falls in their lap. Otherwise I’d like to see them take one of the infielders with good hit tools. 

16 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Seems like the Twins are really crowding their system with near ready MLB players, I wouldn't be surprised if the strategy is to take a young HS project. Though I suppose 17-year-old JC players fit that bill too. They could maybe wait out Lesko too.

I can almost guarantee if Lesko isn't selected in the 1st Round he's going to Vandy.

45 minutes ago, prouster said:

I tend to think it’s good to draft high quality college bats early, because they pan out at a higher rate. But man, I really hope they don’t take another DH in the first round. I’m hoping the Georgia Tech catcher falls in their lap. Otherwise I’d like to see them take one of the infielders with good hit tools. 

Watching GT play in the CWS regionals I came away impressed with Parada.  I personally wouldn't select him in the 1st round, but I do think he's a great player who has the toolset to make it to the show.

1 hour ago, MN_ExPat said:

Watching GT play in the CWS regionals I came away impressed with Parada.  I personally wouldn't select him in the 1st round, but I do think he's a great player who has the toolset to make it to the show.

I think the Twins would have a tough choice to make if Parada is still there at number 8.  That being said I don't think the Twins are as desperate at catcher as some people think.  Both Hamilton at AAA and Isola at AA have 300 batting averages, 400 OBP's and .900 OPS's.  That would be pretty hard to improve upon even for a top prospect.  I know those two were not high draft picks but they look pretty good right now and they are playing at the higher levels of the system.

Also the Twins spent big and bet big on Winkel last year paying him over slot at $500,000 I believe which means they view him as a talented two way catcher of the future and they have Camargo who K''s too much but hit's tons of HR's.  I don't think the cupboard is bare for them at catcher.  

Still Parada is an elite bat and you can never have too much catching depth so you never know but I think they will be looking at players with more versatility and there are options for Short and Center if they look a little bit down the board.  It is so hard to say how they see things though as I never saw the Cavaco signing coming so who knows.

Kind of fells like Cam Collier will be the guy they look to zone in on at this point

If the catcher is a good hitter and top defensive catcher, I pray he falls and they take him.  I don’t know if any of the guys in the minors are future starters.  I do know that neither of the two starters should be starting for a top contender.

5 hours ago, prouster said:

I tend to think it’s good to draft high quality college bats early, because they pan out at a higher rate. But man, I really hope they don’t take another DH in the first round. I’m hoping the Georgia Tech catcher falls in their lap. Otherwise I’d like to see them take one of the infielders with good hit tools. 

I'm with you we need a future catcher. I'd like if the Twins could land Parada. In Jeremy's top 10 he fell from 5 to 7. I forget which team is right before us but hope they value a different player ahead of him.

20 hours ago, Dman said:

I think the Twins would have a tough choice to make if Parada is still there at number 8.  That being said I don't think the Twins are as desperate at catcher as some people think.  Both Hamilton at AAA and Isola at AA have 300 batting averages, 400 OBP's and .900 OPS's.  That would be pretty hard to improve upon even for a top prospect.  I know those two were not high draft picks but they look pretty good right now and they are playing at the higher levels of the system.

Also the Twins spent big and bet big on Winkel last year paying him over slot at $500,000 I believe which means they view him as a talented two way catcher of the future and they have Camargo who K''s too much but hit's tons of HR's.  I don't think the cupboard is bare for them at catcher.  

Still Parada is an elite bat and you can never have too much catching depth so you never know but I think they will be looking at players with more versatility and there are options for Short and Center if they look a little bit down the board.  It is so hard to say how they see things though as I never saw the Cavaco signing coming so who knows.

Well said.  I think this illustrates well that with a pick this high (#8), you pick the best player available regardless of perceived depth issues (plus like Dman, I don't believe that C depth is as bad as some people espouse).

As I said, I think Parada is a great player and I would totally root him on if selected by the Twins regardless of how I felt about the pick (just like Sabato and Cavaco... note, I am NOT saying they are the same type or caliber of player). 

In addition to the best player available idea, teams also have to factor in the signability of the player.  From the outside looking in (to me at least), this looms just as important.  What the player is willing to sign for can have a beneficial or extremely negative impact on a team's whole draft.

In the end, there are just way to many factors in this process for me, which makes me totally glad that I don't have to make those decisions . 

On 6/9/2022 at 10:50 AM, Jeremy Nygaard said:

It certainly could have gone better as Rocker appeared to tire in his fourth inning

Seems exactly the type of pitcher the Twins like ?

On 6/9/2022 at 1:09 PM, MN_ExPat said:

Watching GT play in the CWS regionals I came away impressed with Parada.  I personally wouldn't select him in the 1st round, but I do think he's a great player who has the toolset to make it to the show.

Who would be the pick if you got to make it?

5 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Who would be the pick if you got to make it?