Potential 2013 Twins Draft Pick: Ryne Stanek

On a tier slightly lower than Manaea and Appel is Arkansas hurler Ryne Stanek. Stanek narrowly missed being a draft-eligible sophomore last year, where he would have been considered a Top 5 pick.

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Then there is Ryne Stanek, who given his track record, power arm, knockout slider, and projectable body could use this spring as a potential springboard to make a strong case [to be the top college arm in the draft class].

Game Log:

2/15 vs Western Illinois - 4 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 4 K. 66 pitches/36 strikes (Win, 1-0) (*Ranked 3 on initial draft board)

2/22 vs Evansville - 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HBP. 76 pitchers/47 strikes (ND, 1-0) (*Definitely wasn't an impressive outing, averaging 25+ pitches/inning)

2/28 vs Arizona State - 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HBP. 85 pitches/57 strikes (L, 1-1) (*from scout, Stanek was "just ok")

3/8 vs San Diego State - 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, WP, 91/51 (ND, 1-1) (*How Stanek does against the SEC will undoubtedly carry more significance, but he has failed to impress over his first four starts)

3/17 vs Ole Miss - 4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 WP, 71/44 (ND, 1-1) (*Another ho-hum stat-line, though the reports were that Stanek looked better than the week before. He was also dropped to the Sunday spot in their rotation)

3/23 vs South Carolina - 9 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 7 K, 124/78. (Win, 2-1)

3/30 vs Mississippi St - 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, ER, 2 BB, 6 K, WP, HBP, 92/56. (Loss, 2-2)

4/5 vs Alabama - 8 IP, 4 H, 5 K, 97/58. (Win, 3-2)

4/13 vs #2 LSU - 6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K, 103/57. (Win, 4-2) (*Back on the prospect map)

*This post will be updated throughout the season. Please link game stories or other related Stanek-themed posts below.

Stanek came out firing, throwing in the low 90s before hitting 96-97 later with a good slider in the mid-80s.

At this point, Stanek should be a guy the Twins have even more solidly in their cross-hairs (due to Appel pulling away - though it's early). Stanek is fighting a little of this production vs perception identity-crisis that Appel was dealing with early last year. Stanek's ceiling isn't as high, but still appears to be a Top 5 guy.

Stanek had another rough outing. He will not make the Top 4 in Draft Board 2.0.

Jeremy, can you start keeping track of the Florida pitcher? I think he was supposed to be a top 10 guy and, at this point, I might like to see more of him than Stanek.

Crawford? I'm keeping my eye on him, but right now, there isn't much good to report. Here are his four starts. There is also some belief that he may be a bullpen guy.

That's too bad. Any other pitchers making moves into the top 10? Right now, if Appel's gone, I'm not sure there would be a good pitcher to take at #4. Obviously, there is a lot of season left.

I've been watching Bobby Wahl, Mississippi, for a while. He hasn't missed the bats that I wanted him to, but he's a guy I think could enter the discussion.

Would the Twins pop a prep pitcher that high? I doubt it... but I don't think the Twins would rule it out. Trey Ball and Kohl Stewart are the two highest-rated prep pitchers (but both have questions - Ball is a two-way player, Stewart is a stud QB). I like Jordan Sheffield, a hard-thrower, but he's not without questions either (signability).

Jonathan Gray, Oklahoma, is another name to remember.

Stanek looked better, though his stats didn't show it. Sunday's - yes, Sunday's - game log added.

An encouraging sign for those in need of pitching - Stanek had "Top 5 stuff" in his win over #6 South Carolina. In what was easily his best game of the year, Stanek went the distance allowing zero earned runs against a solid lineup.

Full stats not available yet, but Stanek had a bounce-back performance tonight. He struck out five - allowing four hits - in eight innings.