Minnesota Twins Day 2 Draft Picks (Rounds 3-10)

Information will be added in spurts, so keep refreshing!

3rd Round (93; $645,500) - RHP Griffin Jax, RHP

Jax is an interesting pick to kick off the second day of the draft. The 6-2, 200 lb righty is the first ever player from the Air Force Academy selected in the Top 10 rounds. A junior, there is talk that there must be some sort of a military commitment or a high price tag. How does that effect Jax's ability to sign a professional contract and pitch? That's something that we'll have to find out. As far as ability goes, though, Jax has it with a three-pitch mix that features a low-to-mid 90s fastball, a low-80s slider and a low-80s changeup. He threw 105 innings, so the Twins - if they have him - would have him throwing very little before next year anyway. His father, Garth, was a NFL linebacker.

Update: Twins feel confident they can sign Jax, though they are prepared for him to have to finish his military obligations, be unavailable until next May and, hopefully, go into reserves. There's little concern about him not being in shape when they can get their hands back on him because, as my source tells me, "finger tip push ups."

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, 100; MLB.com, 82; Perfect Game, 125.

4th Round (123; $477,900) - RHP Thomas Hackimer, St. John's (SR)

You can all stop holding your breath: The Twins drafted a college reliever. Hackimer is a side-arming unhittable relief pitcher. His numbers were eye-popping: WHIP and ERA are both under 0.75. He does it with a two-pitch mix: a low-90s fastball and a low-80s "frisbee" slider. Hackimer, the first relief pitcher to be named Big East Pitcher of the Year since 2005, will be the first member of this draft class to pitch for the Twins, which could be as soon as next year.

Here is an interesting write-up on Hackimer.

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, 191; MLB.com, 174; Perfect Game, 152.

5th Round (153; $357,800) - RHP Jordan Balazovic, Ontario HS

I put a Canadian pitcher in my 10-round mock, but didn't have the right guy. Balazovic is another high-schooler, though the Auburn commit has another year left of high school (what comes after senior year? Super senior year) and can re-enter the draft the team can't meet his demands. I don't think that should be a problem at this point. Balazovic is young (still 17) and raw, but the 6-3, 170 lb right-hander hits 92 mph with his fastball. He also throws a changeup and breaking ball. There is a lot of projection left, so file Balazovic under "projectable."

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, 134; MLB.com, 127; Perfect Game, unranked.

6th Round (183; $267,800) - RHP Alex Schick, California

A high school teammate of Stephen Gonsalves and Brady Aiken, Schick missed most of his junior season with a dislocated kneecap. He returned at the end of season, throwing a low-90s fastball and a curveball that is his best pitch. While draft previews project him best a reliever, the early word is that he'll "probably" begin his professional career as a starter.

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, 498; MLB.com, unranked; Perfect Game, unranked.

7th Round (213; $200,900) - CF Matt Albanese, Bryant University

A 6-2, 200 lb athlete with power, Albanese has been a three-year starter at Bryant University. In 142 career games, Albanese only struck out 59 times. In comparison, he walked 57 times. As a junior, Albanese walked 28 times and struck out 15 times. He hit 11 home runs and stole 15 bases. While the hit tool is present against weaker competition, there is some question about how the bat will transfer to pro ball. The Twins obviously believe in the bat and approach enough, which makes five hitters in the first nine picks.

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, 431; MLB.com, unranked; Perfect Game, 237.

8th Round (243; $178,200) - OF Shane Carrier, Fullerton College (Junior College)

Carrier is a power bat. Here's some video.

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, unranked; MLB.com, unranked; Perfect Game, unranked.

9th Round (273; $166,300) - C Mitchell Kranson, Cal (SR)

Kranson is a senior sign who will join the organization as a catcher after playing most infield for the Golden Bears. Undersized but with a decent bat.

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, unranked; MLB.com, unranked; Perfect Game, unranked.

10th Round (303; $156,600) - SS Brandon Lopez, Miami (SR)

Light-hitting shortstop, who can stick.

Pre-draft rankings: Baseball America, 432; MLB.com, unranked; Perfect Game, 466.