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.