Twins Draft Preview: 10-round Twins Mock

To try to give this an as “realistic” feel as possible, I found every player’s composite ranking (the average of Perfect Game, Baseball America and MLB) and couldn’t take them unless they fell after or within 10% of the pick (with the exception of the first pick). For example, to be “eligible” for me to pick at 73, the composite ranking had to be lower than 65.7. To be drafted at 80, he had to be ranked 72 or lower. For the last three picks, I couldn’t choose a player who was ranked in the Top 200 on each of the three lists.

Round 1 (Pick 6 - $3,889,500): RHP Dillon Tate, UC Santa Barbara. Consider it wishful thinking. As much I like Alex Bregman (a ton), my hope is that Tate is available at six and that’s the route the Twins go. Should he not be available, Bregman, Kyle Tucker and Kolby Allard are other names that are under consideration.

Comp Round B (Pick 73 - $839,800): RHP Kyle Cody, Kentucky. At the beginning of the season, Cody looked like a first-rounder. Armed with a big body (6-7, 245) and a bigger fastball (high-90s), Cody has been very inconsistent and has regressed to the point that Kentucky was using him as a mid-week reliever. Cody had success in the Cape Cod League last summer and could continue to the Kentucky-to-Minnesota pipeline. Oh, and Cody also grew up exactly 100 miles to the east of Target Field in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. If a prep like RHP Dakota Chalmers falls to this point, he could be another guy the Twins zero in on. (Composite average: 69)

Round 3 (Pick 80 - $754,000): 3B Trey Cabbage, Tennessee prep. Cabbage was mentioned by Darren Wolfson a couple weeks ago as someone the Twins could target with their second pick. He’ll come off the board here with their third pick. Cabbage is a Top 100 draft prospect with a pretty left-handed swing, projectable power and the potential to play third base. (Composite average: 93)

Round 4 (Pick 110 - $517,800): LHP Jeff Degano, Indiana State. The Canadian-born Degano missed nearly two seasons with Tommy John surgery before becoming a dominant pitcher for the Sycamores. Degano throws a mid-90s fastball and backs it up with a high-70s slurve. If he can improve on a changeup - and with Neil Allen, I’d believe everyone can - the 6’4" southpaw has the stuff to be a professional starter. (Composite average: 105)

Round 5 (Pick 140 - $387,600): LHP Logan Allen, IMG Academy. IMG Academy has much more well-known names on the current roster, but Allen is no slouch. A South Carolina commit, Allen transferred to IMG Academy after two years of high school and is a pretty advanced 18-year-old. If Allard is the Twins pick in the first round, don’t expect them to pop a second prep lefty so quickly. Mac Marshall could be another prep lefty on the team’s radar. (Composite average: 148)

Round 6 (Pick 170 - $290,300): C Joey Bart, Georgia prep. The Twins usually draft at least one catcher in the Top 10 rounds. Bart is known more for his bat and could eventually move out from behind the plate. A more likely catcher selection may be Washington’s Austin Rei, who was drafted, but unsigned, by the Twins out of high school in the 37th round of the 2012 draft. Rei figures to go off the board much earlier. (Composite average: 172)

Round 7 (Pick 200 - $217,500): RHP Jacob Cronenworth, Michigan. Cronenworth is playing wherever Michigan needs him. He’s been a starter, a closer and played around the infield. He’s never solely focused on being a pitcher, and could make huge improvements with that focus. Cronenworth has a background in hockey, so he’d fit right in. (Composite average: 186)

Round 8 (Pick 230 - $175,400): RHP Josh Graham, Oregon. Graham doesn’t show up in any Top 200s (yet). He’s a converted catcher who throws gas. He’s from Oregon. The Twins had success with Jake Reed from Oregon. His last name is Graham. The Twins had success with J.R. And for icing of the cake: The Twins drafted Graham out of high school in 2012. He still considers himself a catcher, however. He even removed his cap while fielding a pop up earlier this season. He was pitching. Graham could certainly go higher and is the one on this list I’d peg the Twins most likely to take.

Round 9 (Pick 260 -$163,800): RHP Kyle Davis, USC. Davis profiles best as a reliever, but has the pitches to give starting a chance. He pitched in both roles as a Trojan.

Round 10 (Pick 290 - $153,100): OF Anderson Miller, Western Kentucky. Miller is an athletic player who has shown some pop (14 homers) in his bat. The makeup is good as well.

So there you have it: a projection of what the Twins could do with their top 10 picks. How would you feel if it played out like this? Would you prefer seven college relievers instead?