Article: Twins MLB Draft Preview: MacKenzie Gore, LH SP

[Steve Lein]

It is a rarity in the history of the MLB draft, but if you’re looking for a high school pitcher to select #1 overall on Monday, your potential list likely includes just two names. You’ve already heard about the much hyped right-hander, but the left-hander in that conversation should not be ignored.His name is MacKenzie Gore out of the state of North Carolina, and he is arguably the more advanced of the two. So why isn’t he being talked about as much?

 

 

Who Is He?

 

Gore enters the draft out of Whiteville High School in his home state as the top prep lefty in the nation. It also has been quite a week for him before even considering his draft prospects on June 12^th. First, he was named the Gatorade North Carolina and National Player of the Year. Then, a few days later he helped his team to the class 1A State Championship, pitching the first game of the three-game championship series. However, it wasn’t just his six shut-out innings that contributed to that 10-0 victory before they took home the trophy the next day.

 

Listed around 6’2” and 180 pounds, Gore has been a steady climber on draft boards throughout the spring as he tacked on some velocity in his senior season. MLB.com lists him at number four on their top 50 along with some eye-popping numbers from his junior season. Matt Eddy from Baseball America compared him to some of the best left-handed prepsters ever drafted in the first round, demonstrating how he fits the mold due to his physical maturity and measurements.

 

He is being considered in the top five of picks, so even though he’s committed to play at East Carolina University there’s no reason to doubt that he’ll sign a contract.

 

 

Why The Twins Will Pick Him

 

Gore rests on the advanced part of the spectrum for a high school pitcher, as he brings both fastball velocity and multiple secondary offerings that already provide plus potential. John Sickels of MinorLeagueBall.com cites his deep arsenal of advanced pitches for his age in a glowing scouting report. Though his mechanics are atypical as he employs a high leg kick in his motion (like, really high), there are no major concerns about working through any of the normal kinks due to his athleticism. Take a look for yourself in the video below (in case you don’t notice, the first hitter he strikes out is Hunter Greene).

 

 

 

As far as his stuff goes, he employs a full arsenal of pitches with a fastball, slider, curve, and changeup. He uses all of them liberally and each grades out as at least above average. Depending on the report, his curveball or changeup will get plus marks along with his mid-90’s fastball. Sickels even mentions that due to his maturity and pitching acumen, he won’t need as much time in the minors as most high schoolers.

 

He is also left-handed, so the fear of picking the first ever such player at number one isn’t a consideration Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have to worry about. I don’t think anyone in their positions would, but in their first crack at leading a draft room it would be a story played up in the media and remembered.

 

 

There is also a final consideration, as discussed by Twins Daily’s Jeremy Nygaard earlier in the week. The Twins likely could save a good amount of money going with Gore at number one, opening numerous possibilities for deal-making at picks 35 and 37 if and when other top players fall.

 

Why The Twins Will Not Pick Him

 

There is always the injury risk with prep hurlers who throw 90+ MPH pitches as their bodies are still developing. While there are not glaring flaws with Gore’s mechanics and his athleticism projects a lower injury risk, it is still a significant hurdle to overcome. The last four high school left-handers to be taken first in the draft include Braxton Garrett, Kolby Allard, Brady Aiken, and Trey Ball. Allard and Aiken have both already undergone Tommy John surgeries, and now it appears Garrett will too. Trey Ball has avoided the knife, but has also only reached AA and has a career 4.61 ERA and 4.3 BB/G walk rate in the minors. It’s scary company to be in.

 

There is also the issue of his advisor. While most of the perceptions brought up when the name Scott Boras is invoked are tied to the former regime led by Terry Ryan, many Twins fans do revile his mere presence. With the new front office this shouldn’t really be a concern (it wasn’t really one with Ryan, either) as Levine knows him quite well from his time in Texas and Boras praised the duos hiring last November—but he is an agent with a reputation. Any attempt at below-slot money at number one to make deals later may not go as well as they hope.

 

Perhaps the most important reason why Gore would not be the choice at number one is that he isn’t number one on any pre-draft lists you might scour. The Twins have the choice of anyone they want, and it is hard to argue with the “best player available” strategy in such a position. This being their first year at the helm, the new front office may not want to take that risk with their first ever draft selection.

 

One thing we do know about Derek Falvey is that he has a well-respected reputation in pitcher development. With the number one overall pick in his first draft as chief baseball officer, he has a great opportunity to make a good first impression for his legacy. It could just be that Gore’s combination of youth, stuff, projection, and maturity is the picture Falvey want to be on the canvas of his first draft choice. Maybe it even helps him leverage another top talent later in the draft (like pick 13 in Law’s latest mock). We will find out on Monday if that is indeed the case. Would you like Gore at the number one overall pick?

 

 

Follow MacKenzie on Twitter, if you want.

 

Previous Draft Profiles:

 

Hunter Greene, SP/SS by Nick Nelson

Brendan McKay, SP/1B by Cody Christie

Royce Lewis, SS/OF by Nick Nelson

Pavin Smith, 1B by Tom Froemming

Kyle Wright, SP by Jeremy Nygaard

 

My 10-round Mock Draft

 

Click here to view the article

[Cory Engelhardt]

I love the idea of Wright, Gore or Greene. I think I am still leaning Wright, but if they can get Gore AND potentially have money to throw at someone to get them to drop (Sam Carlson, where are you?) at 35, that would be an amazing draft too. And Cedar Rapids would be an exciting visit next year too.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Personally, I think I like him more than Greene.  Everyone likes Greene because he can throw triple digits, but all he has is a fastball presently and plenty of ML hitters can hit a 102 MPH pitch.

[DocBauer]

While I know absolutely nothing...an important preface...i find it interesting that Gore isn't talked about the same way Greene is, or even higher. He's put up fantastic numbers has decent size and growth potential, throws in the 90's and it SEEMS from reports that his secondary stuff is more advanced than Greene. Is Greene really rated so much higher because he hits 100 on the gun and is also a quality SS prospect? That's not a knock on Greene, but he's only going to be able to concentrate on one spot or the other, and he has to do more than through 100.

 

I just find it....interesting.

[Dman]

Personally I like Gore for best potential over anyone else.  There is risk there though and it might take him longer to get to MLB than Wright.  Unless the Twins get a sweet heart deal I think they have to go with Mr. Wright.

[Mike Sixel]

I still don't understand why s high school player is signing under slot especially a boras client. I would be good with him as the pick.

[gman]

Three 3 years from now Gore would be the same age as Wright is now. The raw talent with Gore seems higher than Wright and those  3 years of play against advanced competition with a higher caliber of coaching should develop a better pitcher  by their age 22 seasons. Currently in their system, the Twins have multiple options for mid rotation to back of the rotation starters and I think they need to set their aim higher and take the risk.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Three 3 years from now Gore would the same age as Wright is now. The raw talent with Gore seems higher than Wright and those  3 years of play against advanced competition with a higher caliber of coaching should develop a better pitcher  by their age 22 seasons. Currently in their system, the Twins have multiple options for mid rotation to back of the rotation starters and I think they need to set their aim higher and take the risk.

 

This is why HS guys get looked at... reality though is that many don't do that well, and that's why we have the whole ceiling vs. floor factored into the discussion.  There's a very real chance that Wright is the better pitcher because the team is absorbing so much more risk with Gore than they are with Wright.

 

I'm probably more in the Wright camp given org needs and his ceiling.  He can be that ace we want, but if they want upside first and foremost, I'd probably take Gore over Greene, and in that case you could potentially save some money as Gore likely won't be drafted before pick 5.

[Steve Lein]

 

Personally, I think I like him more than Greene.  Everyone likes Greene because he can throw triple digits, but all he has is a fastball presently and plenty of ML hitters can hit a 102 MPH pitch.

 

I do too. If Greene had a hammer I don't think there would be any question, but usually a top pick has one, or incredible confidence from scouts that they see one. I haven't been convinced Greene meets either of those conditions.

 

 

I still don't understand why s high school player is signing under slot especially a boras client. I would be good with him as the pick.

 

Well, in a guy like Gore or Greene's case, how much are they going to improve their draft stock by going to college? Frankly, it can only get worse. So there is a risk of losing a lot of money as well.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I still don't understand why s high school player is signing under slot especially a boras client. I would be good with him as the pick.

 

Boras wants to maximize his client's (and his) income... so if his group believes Gore would otherwise go #4, and the Twins give him #2 money, that's more money for them... It's a slippery slope, but it might be possible.

[zenser]

I am not a pitching coach but there seems to be an awful lot of movement in his delivery.  I like what he brings but that motion scares me.

[Steve Lein]

 

I am not a pitching coach but there seems to be an awful lot of movement in his delivery.  I like what he brings but that motion scares me.

 

It's mainly the leg kick, but I think he repeats it really well. Have read a lot of reports that say that, and in that video you can also get a good idea of of it too. Lands his foot the same spot, leg kick goes to same spot... I don't think it's a huge concern at this point, like anybody else he's going to get a lot of coaching wherever he lands.

[jimbo92107]

Wow, look at the easy power Gore gets from that leg kick and the gliding drive towards the plate. This kid could be really good, like Cole Hammels good. I'd still pick Wright because he's closer to mlb level, but if Gore avoids injury, he'll be a very good major league pitcher. 

[Roaddog]

I like Gore a lot. I like him a little more than Wright even. I like that he already has off speed to go with the mid 90s fastball.

[gunnarthor]

I don't think the Twins want to bring Boras clients into their locker room with so many young guys that will be looking for big paydays in the not so distant future. My guess is that Boras is a net negative in the drafting room.  I could be wrong. We'll see but I doubt the Twins draft any of Boras' big clients on day one, including Romero.

 

As for Gore, I'd prefer Wright. A lot would have to go right for Gore to be where Wright is in three years. I don't see why we should wait for that when the potential difference isn't that great. Wright is a darn good pitcher already. Take him and move on.

[Ben Noble]

I want Gore.

 

Greene has velocity and you can't teach velocity. High school players do tend to grow into their bodies, though, and add a couple of ticks onto their fastballs.

 

I'm not convinced that you can teach feel, though, either. I think with the right coaching, pitchers can improve feel on breaking balls, but it's certainly not a given.

 

Greene doesn't have much movement at all at this point and looks like more of a thrower than a pitcher to me.

 

Gore has great feel on his breaking balls for a high school player, and looks like much more of a pitcher than thrower. I think he'll add a couple of ticks to his fastball and, most importantly, with the right coaching he could end up with two plus or better breaking balls. Plus he's a lefty.

 

If Falvey sees something in Greene that he thinks he can mold him into an ace, go for it. If they think Wright can be a 1/2, then pick him. Heck, if the Twins want to think outside of the box and draft McKay as a hitter first who pitches at the back of the rotation, too, I can get behind that. But I want Gore.

[Vanimal46]

I'm jumping on the Gore Hype Train... All aboard!

[bluechipper]

 

Three 3 years from now Gore would be the same age as Wright is now. The raw talent with Gore seems higher than Wright and those  3 years of play against advanced competition with a higher caliber of coaching should develop a better pitcher  by their age 22 seasons. Currently in their system, the Twins have multiple options for mid rotation to back of the rotation starters and I think they need to set their aim higher and take the risk.

Kyle Wright has upside too. I don't think any analyst has him projected as just a middle or back end starter. There's a reason he's top 3 in every ranking.