2018 MLB Draft: Minnesota Connections

As we are just days away from the 2018 MLB Draft, there are a few Minnesota natives that could find themselves drafted in the first ten rounds of the draft. And that Gophers baseball team that faced the Twins in an exhibition game in February could have as many as eight players drafted this year.

We’ll get to those Gophers, but let’s start with the guy who just might be the highest player from Minnesota to be drafted.

SEAN HJELLE

Hjelle graduated from Mahtomedi High School three years ago. Despite being 6-10 and working with an upper-80s fastball, he went undrafted. He decided to go to the University of Kentucky. He worked out of their bullpen as a freshman. Last year as a sophomore, he moved into their rotation and was the SEC Pitcher of the Year. Now 6-11, Hjelle sits in the 92-94 range with his fastball and touches 95 and 96 at times. He also has a good changeup and curveball, both pitches in the low 80s. Unlike many tall pitchers, Hjelle is very coordinated and has a very repeatable delivery. He is expected to be taken anywhere from the late first round to the early second round.

JAKE IRVIN

The Minnesota Twins drafted the Bloomington Jefferson grad in the 37th round of the 2015 draft. He chose to attend Oklahoma where he has become a Friday night starter and an All American. He has gone 18-7 during his three years. In 2018, he is 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA. He struck out 109 batters in 91 2/3 innings (just 24 walks). At 6-6 and 225 pounds, he’s got a great build for a pitcher. He’s got good mechanics and a fastball that reaches to 93-94 mph. He also throws a slider and a changeup as well. He could be drafted as high as the second round and should be selected before the fifth round ends.

SETH HALVORSEN

There are a lot of good high school starting pitchers in the draft this year, and Seth Halversen from Heritage Christian Academy is the tops from Minnesota. He has a commitment to the University of Missouri where he would pitch and play shortstop. In terms of the draft, it is clear that he would be seen as a pitcher. He considers himself a shortstop first, but he obviously understands that he’s got a big arm. He has a very strong arm and has hit 95 and even 96 on some radar guns this spring. He also has a hard slider in the upper 70s that could be a real good pitch. In comparison to Carlson, Halvorsen is much more raw. But he’s got good size and big potential. He could be taken as early as the late second round. He should be taken in the third or fourth rounds. But as always, money will factor into it and if he doesn’t get his number, he could fall and happily head to Missouri.

AIDAN MALDONADO

Maldonado attends Rosemount High School and has a commitment to play at Illinois next year. However, he is an intriguing draft possibility. While he stands just 6-0 tall and weighs in at just 175 pounds, he has already been clocked up to 95 mph. He’s got a real smooth delivery with efficient arm action along with a three-pitch mix. Right now, he primarily works anywhere from 88-92 mph but he’s got room to add more velocity. He fits in as a potential fifth to seventh round pick though signability may push him back a few rounds, or potentially down to the later rounds for a team willing to take a flyer.

GUS VARLAND

Varland has a lot of steam. The right-hander from Concordia-St. Paul has reached 97 mph with his fastball this spring. He went 7-1 with a 1.04 ERA his junior season. In 60 1/3 innings, he struck out 79 and walked 14. He’s high energy and kind of a max effort guy. He’s got a decent slider too. Probably profiles as a reliever eventually, especially as he’s just 6-1 and 190 pounds. The North St. Paul graduate could be a Day 2 draft pick. His brother (Louie) has a very similar profile and could be drafted next year.

THE GOPHERS

The Gophers are having a remarkable season. When we talked to some of their seniors on the podcast before the season, there was definitely an excitement. The theme then was that they had a veteran lineup and some very talented, but very young pitchers. Today, they host their first regional tournament in over a decade as they take on Canisius.

There could be anywhere from five to eight Gophers drafted, and here is a little bit about each.

TERRIN VAVRA

Vavra is the son of long-time Twins coach Joe Vavra (now with the Tigers) and the brother of former Twins minor leaguers Tanner Vavra and Trey Vavra. As good as those two were, there was an acceptance that Terrin had the most talent. The Menomonie, Wisconsin, native received a late offer from the Gophers and accepted. Just this week, he was named a first-team All-American by Baseball America. In 53 games, he’s hit .385/.458/.620 (1.078) with 11 doubles, three triples and ten home runs. He could got as high as the fourth or fifth round of the draft.

Listen to Terrin’s appearance on my podcast.

BEN MEZZENGA

The Shoreview native attended Totino-Grace High School. Now a junior, he got a bigger opportunity to play and took advantage. In 54 games played, Mezzenga hit .381/.470/.440 (.910) with eight doubles and a triple. He’s stolen 11 bases. He’s a real good athlete who can play all around the outfield. He could be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.

ALEX BOXWELL

The outfielder is a senior from Coon Rapids. He was injured during his junior season which likely cost him from being drafted and also caused him to miss the Cape Cod League opportunity. This season, he's hitting .264/.315/.393 (.708) with seven doubles, a triple and four homers. He also has a team-leading 19 stolen bases. Boxwell is intriguing because he is a such a good athlete. He's got power potential and great speed.

REGGIE MEYER

In 15 starts this year for the Gophers, Meyer is 7-3 with a 2.75 ERA. In 95 innings, he’s walked 13 and struck out 65. Meyer is a redshirt junior who also went to Totino-Grace in high school. He went 5-1 in 2017. He stands 6-4 and 210 pounds. He’s pitched real well for the Gophers late in the year and threw a complete game shutout in the Big 10 tournament. He tops out right around 90, but he’s got a good feel for pitching and command of three pitches. He’s got a year of eligibility remaining, so he may come back even when he gets selected sometime on Day 3.

NICK LACKNEY

The 6-4, 205 pound left-hander is from Wisconsin Bay, but he chose to attend Minnesota. After working in relief his first two Gophers seasons, he made 10 starts for them in 2018. He went 4-2 despite an ERA over five. He struck out 43 batters in 45 2/3 innings. The numbers may not jump off the charts, but he’s left-handed and throws into the 90s. Could be a Day 3 pick, though he likely would come back for his senior season.

JACKSON ROSE

Rose is a senior from Omaha who would love to finish his college career playing at the College World Series in Omaha. The 6-2 right-hander has really become a reliable bullpen option for John Anderson. This year, he worked 27 innings over 20 appearances. He posted a 2.00 ERA. He struck out 26 batters and walked 13. Probably a late-round flyer.

JAKE STEVENSON

Jake Stevenson is a hard-throwing right-hander. At 6-4 and 225 pounds, he’s strong and his velocity is now reaching into the low and mid-90s. He made seven starts and worked out of the bullpen five times. The junior from Waconia posted a 5.52 ERA, and in 29 1/3 innings, he walked 16 and struck out 15. So, based on the numbers, you can see why it is the scouting stuff that could make him a late-round pick.

MICAH COFFEY

Coffey came to Minnesota from Batavia, Illinois. The 6-1, 200 pound corner infielder has had a really strong career with the Gophers. He got off to a slow start this year, but he’s now hitting .281/.370/.414 (.784) with nine doubles, two triples and five home runs. He is a good athlete with a strong arm and a good approach at the plate and potential to hit for some power.

Listen to Micah’s appearance on my podcast which also included Clark Beeker, Hector Lujan and Cory Provus..

TOBY HANSON

Hanson was off to a fast start in his senior season. He had a strong junior season in which he played all 57 games and returned for his senior year. Unfortunately, a wrist injury cost him nearly a month and slowed down his numbers. Overall, he’s’ still hit .306/.382/.439 (.821) with 14 doubles, two triples and a homer. At 6-2 and 220 pounds,, he does have potential to hit for power (when his wrists are right). The Delano grad has played a lot of first base but early this year he was playing in right field as well.

Listen to Toby’s appearance on my podcast which also includes Aaron Slegers, Royce Lewis, Brent Rooker and Alex Kirilloff.

LUKE PETTERSEN

Pettersen has played all four seasons for the Gophers since joining the school from Minnetonka High School. The 6-0, 185 pound, second baseman has been the team’s leadoff hitter throughout his senior season. He is hitting .333/.415/.414 (.829) with 13 doubles, one triple and his first college home run. His 13 stolen bases led the team. Luke’s brother AJ played for the Gophers and was the Twins 25th round pick in 2011 and spent four years in the organization.

Luke Pettersen appeared on the first episode of my podcast (with Jonathan Mayo, Stephen Gonsalves, LaMonte Wade and Tyler Wells) and then Episode 7 of the podcast (with Dick Bremer, Jake Reed, Jordan Gore and Pat Mahomes).

While Vavra could be drafted in the first five rounds or so, it’s really hard to predict where the seniors will be drafted. As you know, senior-signs can help a team stay under its draft allotment because they sign for way below slot value. Most of them will be selected sometime on Day 3.

OTHER POSSIBLE DRAFT PICKS

Here are a few more Minnesota-related names to remember as you watch and listen to the draft next week.

DALTON ROACH

As a junior, Roach went 10-1 with a 1.56 ERA for Mankato. He struck out 128 and walked just 12 batters in 86 2/3 innings. He went undrafted despite the big numbers. He returned for his senior season and went 8-2 with a 3.30 ERA. In 71 innings, he walked 15 and struck out 86. He has an upper-80s fastball that reaches into the low-90s. He’s got four pitches and could be a mid-Day 3 pick by the right team.

HENRY DeCASTER

DeCaster is a junior at St. Thomas. The right-handed pitcher went 8-3 with a 2.42 ERA for the Tommies in 2018. The Mounds View graduate stands 6-3 and 190 pounds, so he’s got room to grow. His fastball sits in the upper 80s and reaches into the 90s. Possible late-round pick.

NICOLAS JUIAIRE

Juiaire goes to Lakeville North High School. The catcher has committed to Texas Christian University. He doesn’t have the size typically seen in a higher draft pick, but he’s worth watching. He’s just 5-8 and 175 pounds. He’s good behind the plate. He’s got a strong and accurate arm. He’s got quick feet. He frequently has “pop times” below 2.0. He is a switch hitter with gap-to-gap power. He’s had a solid spring offensively. He’s a real good athlete and could be a later-round draft pick for someone.

DYLAN TEBRAKE

The right-hander from Rocori High School has had several scouts at most of his starts this year. Over a year ago, he committed to play at Creighton University in Omaha. He has had a strong season this year In fact, he threw seven innings of a no hitter against a Parker Hageman led Holy Angels team this year. In another game about two weeks ago, he was taken out at 75 pitches on a Tuesday. Why? To appease pro scouts who wanted to see him on that Saturday.

NATHANIEL PETERSON

Peterson is another player from Lakeville North. He has committed to Oklahoma State. The lefty from Lakeville North generally got pretty good control of a fastball that reaches 90 or just a tick above,, and he’s got a good feel for his secondary pitches. He stands 5-11, or maybe 6-0, so if he grows, he’s got room for improvement. Likely a late-round pick, if selected at all this year. He may be one to remember for the 2021 draft though.

DAVID RODERICK

Roderick is a right-hander who reaches back and throws over 90 mph with his fastball already. He has really come a long way in the last couple of years. He was a very skinny kid with an awkward motion and delivery as recently as two years ago. But he’s filled out and the Minnetonka grad is now throwing harder with a much more fluid delivery. He is committed to Oklahoma. If the right scout saw him on the right day, he could be drafted in the teens, but with a strong commitment, he’s likely headed to college.

There should be several Minnesotans drafted next week in the 2018 MLB Draft. There are even three or four of these guys who will be drafted in the top five rounds.

If you want to get excited about the 2019 MLB Draft, names like Matt Wallner and Michael Busch could be first-round picks.

Feel free to discuss the names mentioned above, and let me know if I missed anyone.

UPDATED

The draft is complete. Here is a list of Minnesotans drafted:

Sean Hjelle - RHP - 2nd round - (Kentucky, Mahtomedi HS)

Terrin Vavra - SS - 3rd round - Colorado Rockies (Gophers)

Luke Becker - 2B - 9th round - San Diego Padres (Kentucky, ,Fairmont, MN)

Gus Varland - RHP - 14th round - Oakland A's (North St. Paul, Concordia St. Paul)

Jacob Rhinesmith - OF - 18th round - Washington Nationals (Western Kentucky, Shakopee HS)

Ryan Tapani - RHP - 21st round - Washington Nationals (Creighton, Providence Academy)

Dalton Roach - RHP - 21st round - Houston Astros (Minn State - Mankato)

Kellin Rholl - LHP - 25th round - Cleveland (Angelo St., Mound View)

Zach Seipel - RHP - 27th round - Atlanta (UM-Crookston, Eagan))

Micah Coffey - SS - 30th round - Chicago White Sox (Gophers)

Seth Halvorsen - RHP - 30th round - Minnesota Twins (Heritage Christian Academy)

Jackson Rose - RHP - 35th round - Miami Marlins (Gophers)

Tyler Reichenborn - OF - 35th round - LA Dodgers (Iowa Western CC, Blaine HS)

Brandon Williamson - LHP - 36th round - Milwaukee Brewers (North Iowa Area CC, Welcome, MN)

Reggie Meyer - RHP - 38th round - Texas Rangers (Gophers, Totino-Grace)

Aidan Maldonado - RHP - 38th round - Milwaukee Brewers (Rosemount HS)