Twins Picks: Where Are They Now?
As with every sport, a regular season of losing brings about hope for only one thing, the upcoming draft. While losing is not ideal, draft positioning only increases with each additional loss. For the Twins, the past few seasons have resulted in plenty of high draft picks. However, baseball remains one of the toughest sports to project big league talent.
More from Minnesota Twins Prospects
- Minnesota Twins: Who’s in and who’s out after the 2022 Rule 5 Draft
- Minnesota Twins: Four Prospects added to the 40-Man Roster at Deadline
- Minnesota Twins: Is Edouard Julien legit and can he help in 2023?
- Minnesota Twins: Front Office finally making the Right Call with Call-Ups
- Minnesota Twins: Matt Wallner called up, Former Top 30 Prospect DFA’d
Considering that the Twins will once again be drafting high in the 2015 Major League Baseball Amateur draft, it might be time to take a look at some of their recent success. As we head into 2015, let’s take a look at the last 10 Minnesota Twins first round draft picks and answer the question: Where are they now?
Let’s take a look…
Credit: MiLB.com
2014: Nick Gordon, Shortstop, Olympia High School
Gordon is still fresh in the minds of Twins fans. After being taken 5th overall, Gordon quickly became pegged as the Twins shortstop of the future. Having the defensive tools to play the position, it was only a question of whether or not his bat would accelerate him through the minors.
In his first season in the Twins organization, Gordon played in 57 games for Elizabethton and batted .294/.333/.366. He stole 11 bases while hitting three triples and driving in 28 runs. His season came to an end after breaking a finger, but he remains a vital cog for the Twins going forward.
Credit: mwltraveler.com
2013: Kohl Stewart, Pitcher, St. Pius X High School
Stewart was taken by the Twins with very high expectations out of high school. Despite being young, he was regarded as a potential staff ace, and someone capable of leading an MLB rotation in every aspect of the game. Now 20 years old, and with two professional seasons under his belt, Stewart has started to settle into the Twins organization.
Last season, he started 19 games for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Over that time frame, he pitched to the tune of a 2.69 ERA while striking out 6.4 batters per nine innings. Unfortunately, his strikeout numbers took a dip, and he pitched in only 87 innings, but some of the issues could be attributed to shoulder fatigued he experienced late in the season.
Expect Stewart to push towards Fort Myers this season as he continues to bolster a strong Twins farm system.
Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2012: Byron Buxton, Outfield, Appling County High School
The pride and joy of the Twins farm system, as well as the premier prospect across all of Major League Baseball, Byron Buxton was a home run for Minnesota. Starting a string of three consecutive high-school players being drafted by the Twins, Buxton has lived up to every bit of his draft positioning.
At just 21 years old, Buxton has played through three professional seasons and compiled a .300/.389/.485 slash line. He is already pegged as the Twins centerfielder of the future, and he should be someone who can hit well at the top of the lineup. With his speed, he could also add a much-needed dynamic to the Twins roster. Last season was injury filled for Buxton, but look for 2015 to be a different story.
Credit: knuckleballsblog.com
2011: Levi Michael, Shortstop, North Carolina
It has been a while since the Twins drafted as late as they did in 2011. Following a succesful 2010 season, Michael was their selection with the 30th pick in the 2011 draft. A solid shortstop with some pop from North Carolina, the expectation was that Michael would contribute sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately, Michael has still yet to be added to the Twins 40 man roster, and no one felt the desire to select him in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. Now 23 years old, Michael has played three professional seasons and reached Double-A New Britain last year. Michael struggled mightily at the plate in his first two seasons in the organization, but might have turned a corner in 2014.
Across both Single and Double-A a season ago, Michael hit .313/.389/.387 in 65 games. Although he didn’t get a full season in, he was able to drive in 24 runs, as well as steal ten bases. His strikeout to walk ratio sat at an impressive 36/28.
Still ahead of his age (roughly a year younger than the average age in the Eastern League), Michael has potential to be a Twins utility infielder in the future.
Credit: twinsfocus.com
2010: Alex Wimmers, Pitcher, Ohio State
With the 21st pick in the 2010 draft, Wimmers came to the Twins after a strong career out of the Big Ten with Ohio State. At 21 years old, both Wimmers and the Twins had the luxury of being able to use time in the minors to their advantage.
At this point, Wimmers is 26 years old, and has not yet played above Double-A New Britain. His career ERA across five professional seasons sits at a mediocre 4.13. His 3.7 BB/9 ratio also leaves something to be desired. The Twins have brought Wimmers along almost solely as a reliever, and in 31 games last season, he compiled a 3.96 ERA. In his corner, Wimmers posted an impressive 10.4 K/9 ratio a season ago.
If he is going to make an impact for the Twins, it will be through the bullpen. Unfortunately, Wimmers still needs to lower his ERA and walks if he wants serious consideration in the future. After only pitching in 13 games for New Britain last year, he will likely begin 2015 in the same place.
Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
2009: Kyle Gibson, Pitcher, Missouri
As Twins fans are aware, Kyle Gibson is the first player on this list to have debuted with the Twins. Making his debut in 2013, the timetable was definitely delayed as the talented pitcher had to recover from Tommy John surgery.
To this point in the major leagues, Gibson has experience up and down success. His career 4.92 ERA across 41 starts was improved upon in 2014 (4.47) and would have been even better if his splits in wins and losses wasn’t so drastic. If there is a pitcher on the Twins 25 man roster that should be looked at to take a big step forward in 2015, look for Gibson to be it.
Now in his second true year at the big league level, look for the former Missouri Tiger to begin to put some things together.
Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks (32) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
2008: Aaron Hicks, Outfield, Woodrow Wilson High School
After being thrust into the starting centerfield role following an offseason that saw the Twins move both Ben Revere and Denard Span, Hicks proved overmatched. Despite having a good spring, he had yet to play above the Double-A level.
Entering the 2015 season, Hicks is once again regarded as the odds on favorite to win the starting centerfield role for the Twins. Likely only a placeholder until Byron Buxton arrives, Hicks is at a crossroads in his career. He could play himself into a long-term spot for the Twins, or out of the organization altogether based upon how his 2015 goes.
We have done a lot of examining of Hicks this offseason, check out any of these stories for a more in-depth analysis:
Sep 15, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Ben Revere (2) at bat during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
2007: Ben Revere, Outfield, Lexington Catholic High School
The first former Twins player on this list is Ben Revere. After being selected 28th overall by the Twins out of high school, Revere debuted quickly making it to the big leagues in 2010. Although he is no longer with the organization, remnants of him still remain.
Prior to being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2013 season, Revere compiled a .278/.319/.323 slash line across 254 games for the Twins. He stole 74 bases and tripled 11 times. Revere provided positional flexibility for the Twins, and could cover ground at each of the outfield positions.
In exchange for Revere, the Twins received both Vance Worley and Trevor May. Despite Worley no longer being with the club, Trevor May remains a key piece for the Twins rebuilding their starting rotation going forward.
Aug 31, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Chris Parmelee (27) hits a two-run rbi single in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Twins 12-8. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
2006: Chris Parmelee, Outfield, Chino Hills High School
Minnesota made the California product Parmelee the 20th selection in the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. Taken out of high school, Parmelee had some developing to do with the Twins. He made his eventual debut for Minnesota at the end of the 2011 season at the age of 23.
Parmelee would go on to play four years at the major league level with the Twins. Each season he spent in the organization was split between the minors and major leagues, with him failing to ever stick at the highest level. Across his Twins career, Parmelee hit just .249 with 24 home runs and 85 total runs batted in. The power stroke never developed, and the defensive ability in right field was below average.
This offseason, the Twins designated Parmelee for assignment and he chose to part ways with the organization and become a free agent. As of this moment, he remains a free agent.
Sep 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Matt Garza (22) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
2005: Matt Garza, Pitcher, Fresno State University
That’s right, prior to being a Devil Ray, a Cub, Ranger, or Brewer, Matt Garza was a Minnesota Twin. After being selected with the 25th pick, Garza debuted just a year later pitching in ten games during the 2006 season for the Twins.
For Garza however, the time in Minnesota would be short-lived. His abrasive personality outweighed his potential addition to the club. After posting a 4.47 ERA and 7.1 K/9 ratio for the Twins in 26 games, Minnesota completed a six-played deal that sent Garza to the Rays. In exchanged, Minnesota wound up with Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, and Jason Pridie.
While it may seem worthwhile to evaluate the repercussions of that move, Twins fans know all to well that the return never ended up working out in their favor.
As the 2015 season rolls around, Minnesota will once again be looking to draft at the later half of the upcoming MLB Draft. Having built a strong farm system that should supply the organization for years to come, Minnesota is set to get back to winning.
Keep an eye on those former picks that appear to be knocking at the door, 2015 could be when they finally see it open.