Minnesota Twins: Reasons to Worry about Upcoming Draft

Mar 2, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA;Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor (4) calls to the bullpen during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA;Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor (4) calls to the bullpen during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins have had seventeen first round selections since 2007, including supplemental picks. Currently only two are on the 25 man roster, which means the Twins are missing at an extremely high rate.

When looking back at the last decade of 1st round draft picks it is fair to say the Minnesota Twins selections have left a lot to be desired. In 2007 and 2008, the Twins selected two center fielders, Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks.

Both players were later traded to fill holes in pitching and catching as the only player at either of those positions to be with the team from the first round is 2009 selection Kyle Gibson.

Byron Buxton and Jose Berrios were both selected in 2012 and look to have a bright future. Disappointment has plagued both in brief stints in the majors but it is too soon to tell just where their young careers may end up.

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Other notable selections include names such as Kohl Stewart, Nick Gordon, Tyler Jay and Alex Kirilloff. All of which are ranked highly on our Twins top prospect lists, yet Kirilloff is out for the season with Tommy John, Tyler Jay transitioned to the bullpen, and Kohl Stewart has been struggling.

What about the names you didn’t hear? There is a reason you haven’t heard about them. Shooter Hunt and Carlos Gutierrez were both drafted in 2008 as compensation picks for Torrii Hunter. Both are no longer in baseball.

Matthew Bashore was taken the following year as a compensation pick for Dennys Reyes leaving in FA. He never made it past high A.

Next: Highlighting the All-Time Minnesota Twins Dream Team

In Summary, the past decade of selections has yet to yield any high end talent so far. While we have some promising talent in the minors, we don’t know yet if that will come to fruition. The Minnesota Twins past selections do not give fans much confidence come June 12th.

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