Twins Sign Second Round Pick Ryan Eades

Today the Minnesota Twins announced they have signed RHP Ryan Eades, their second round selection (43rd overall) out of the 2013 MLB Draft. Agreeing to an at slot deal of $1.294 million, the Louisiana State University hurler will reportedly be sent to Elizabethton to start off his professional career in the Appalachian League.

Eades will now officially transition from the Tigers to the Twins. (Photo Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports)

Eades was ranked 37th in Baseball America’s Top-500 heading into the draft and has been throwing in the 90s since he was 16-years old. While he had labrum surgery and missed his senior season in high school, he has stayed healthy all three seasons at LSU. He finished his 2013 season with a 2.79 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 2.44 SO/BB and 7.0 SO/9 in 100.0 innings pitched.

Baseball America had this to say about the Twins newest addition prior to the draft:

"He has an athletic 6-foot-3, 198-pound frame and looks the part of a frontline starter, running his four-seamer up to 90-95 mph and adding a two-seamer this year to get more early-count contact. He’s honed his breaking ball into a power curveball that scrapes the low 80s, and has improved his changeup under the tutelage of pitching coach Alan Dunn"

Some sources regard him as a player who is maxed out and see him as someone that doesn’t project to improve his stuff. However, I completely disagree with those assessments, and I’m certainly not alone. Eades has consistently graded out better than he’s performed and that suggests that the 21-year old can take his game to another level as he develops in the professional ranks with superior coaching and instruction. His dedication and work ethic generally get high marks which should aid him as he tries to reach his ceiling.

Minor League Ball’s Matt Garrioch had this to say about Eades back in December:

"At 6’3″, 205, he has a near ideal pitchers build. His fastball sits in the 90-93 range and can jump up to 95 when he needs it. It has good movement but flattens out as it gets up in the zone. He has the stuff to be a frontline pitcher. He has a sharp breaking curve that can be a swing and miss pitch as well as a solid change that shows potential to be a plus pitch as well. He has a good delivery that he repeats well"

His signing means that the Twins have signed all but two of the 26 players they drafted in rounds 1-25 earlier this month. The two without a deal, RHP Aaron Slegers (5th) and 3B Dustin DeMuth (8th), both played for Indiana University this past season.