Twins Draft Preview: Kyle Funkhouser

Who Is This Guy?

The University of Louisville has churned out some high-profile arms in recent years, with one example being Nick Burdi, Minnesota's second-round selection last June. Many believe that Funkhouser is the best talent to come along yet.

A sturdily built right-hander at 6'3" and 220 lbs, Funkhouser headed to Louisville after being named Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois as a senior in high school. He found immediate success in the collegiate ranks, appearing in 22 games (six starts) as a freshman and posting a 2.14 ERA while averaging more than a strikeout per inning. The following season, Funkhouser became a full-time starter and won a school-record 13 games with a 1.94 ERA, while also boosting his K-rate and allowing only two homers in 120 innings.

Entering this season, he was widely viewed as a Top 5 pick in the MLB draft, but his stock has wavered a bit. At this point, most expect him to be available when the Twins pick at No. 6.

Why the Twins Will Pick Him

A deep and robust well of pitching talent in the minors is critical to any organization's long-term success, and the Twins -- who have used three of their last four first-round picks on position players -- could give their collection of pitching prospects another jolt by adding Funkhouser to the mix.

As an extremely successful hurler at a major college program, the 22-year-old is about as close to the majors as any starting pitcher in this year's draft. That might entice the Twins, who are suddenly shifting back into a competitive mindset with a winning record and top prospects on the verge of graduating.

Funkhouser's calling card has been throwing the ball past hitters. With a power fastball that sits in the mid-90s, he attacks aggressively. His 122 strikeouts last year were third-most in Louisville history, and he started his 2015 campaign with a 12-K performance against Alabama State in February.

Scouts have lauded his size and his mechanics as the kind prototypical big-league starters bring to the table, and he already has a solid repertoire of four pitches he can use.

Funkhouser didn't commit fully to baseball until his junior year in high school, and didn't start throwing his slider – now considered his best secondary offering – until he was in college, so there's still seemingly some room for growth and improvement despite his age.

Why the Twins Will Not Pick Him

Funkhouser has been enduring a difficult stretch in recent weeks. In the latter half of the college season, his velocity has dropped and his results have deteriorated; his ERA has risen from 1.96 to 3.29 over his last six starts.

"You've got to be a little bit concerned," he said earlier this week. "I've been pitching so well for so long. This is pretty much the roughest couple weeks of my career, honestly."

With the draft approaching, the timing could not be worse for him, as clubs must now weigh Funkhouser's mysterious struggles along with pre-existing questions about his iffy command.

It could be an opportunity to bring in a premium young arm at a relative value. Or it could be too large a risk at the sixth pick.

Most recent mock drafts – including Jeremy's here earlier this week – have Funkhouser going in the teens.