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Minnesota Twins: The Twins Aren’t Making the ‘Wright’ Decision

By Carl Vagle |
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Kyle Wright (44) throws during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Kyle Wright (44) throws during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

All signs are pointing towards the Minnesota Twins drafting Kyle Wright instead of Hunter Greene; which could haunt them for years to come.

Multiple reports have stated that the Minnesota Twins are leaning towards taking Kyle Wright, a right-handed pitcher out of Vanderbilt. Don’t get me wrong, Wright could turn out to be an All-Star caliber MLB pitcher, but Hunter Greene could be an MVP caliber player.

This season for Vanderbilt, Wright is 4-5 with a 2.91 ERA in fourteen starts. He averages over ten strikeouts per nine innings while having a 1.05 WHIP. He also has one complete game and is 21 years old (22 in October).

Hunter Greene is 17 years old and won’t turn 18 until August 6th. This past season he was 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA. Greene averaged over thirteen strikeouts per nine innings with a 0.79 WHIP.

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Wright is going up against better competition but is also four years older than Hunter Greene. Both Wright and Greene are 6’4″ and around 210 pounds. However, Hunter Greene isn’t done growing while Wright most likely is.

The big difference between Greene and Wright is the speed of their pitches. Wright’s fastball can hit 97 MPH right now and in high school topped out at 90 MPH. In comparison, Greene hits 102 MPH on the gun, in high school, which is significantly faster than Wright at that age.

Hunter Greene has the ability to develop in a Noah Syndergaard mold. A power pitcher who blows by batters with a strong fastball and complimenting breaking pitches. A true franchise player.

The Twins are looking for help now rather than in the future.

The Twins are looking for a pitcher who can help them at the major league level as soon as possible. However, the last time they did that they have yet to get that major league help as Tyler Jay is still in Double-A. He has experienced some injury issues but the player chosen right after Jay is already helping the Boston Red Sox (Andrew Benintendi).

If the Twins make the decision of drafting a college player over a high schooler based strictly on present need for pitching they are sacrificing the future. Hunter Greene has the ability to change the franchise. Kyle Wright has the ceiling to be the number one starter on a team.

Earlier on there were rumors swirling around the Twins taking Brendan McKay over Hunter Greene. McKay has cooled off significantly for Louisville. His fastball has dropped to the low 90’s and he hasn’t been as dominant.

Next: Twins: Hunter Greene, the LeBron James of the MLB Draft

In conclusion

Kyle Wright will end up being a solid, if not great, MLB pitcher and deserves to go in the top five of the draft. However, Hunter Greene is a generational talent that should not be passed on, even if it is to save money. Greene is four years younger than Wright and is already throwing faster than him with a similar frame (6’4″, 210 lbs). Hopefully, come June 12th the Twins make the ‘Wright’ decision and take Hunter Greene.

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