Minnesota Twins: 2017 MLB Draft Recap First Ten Rounds
The Twins had the first overall pick, but that isn’t the only player they see making an impact in the future.
When the Minnesota Twins led off the 2017 MLB draft they surprised some with their first selection. They saved some of their draft capital so they can sway a high school athlete picked later in the draft towards signing with them rather than going to college.
Last year the Twins took Alex Kirilloff in the first round, a high school outfielder out of Pennsylvania. He is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery after a strong showing with the Elizabethton Twins. Their second pick last year is currently playing catcher with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Ben Rortvedt.
In 2015 they selected LHP Tyler Jay sixth overall and he has yet to pitch above Double-A as he has struggled with injuries. Their 2014 first pick, Nick Gordon, is the Twins top-prospect and is cruising at the lead-off spot for Chattanooga.
Round 1; Pick 1
Royce Lewis, SS/OF – Lewis (6’1″ 185lbs; 06/05/99) is the best prep hitting prospect in the draft with five tool potential. His best tool currently is his speed as he swiped 25 bases last season for JSerra Catholic High School. He played both shortstop and centerfield and was the best athlete in the draft. He should sign for under slot value.
Royce has received plenty of awards including the 2017 Gatorade California Baseball Player of the Year. He earned MVP honors at the Perfect Game All-American Classic and the Under Armour All-American Game. Both of these games featured Hunter Greene with Royce Lewis outshining him. He is committed to UC Irvine.
For our feature story on Royce Lewis go here: Royce Lewis Selected with First Pick.
Competitive Balance A; Pick 35
Brent Rooker, OF – Rooker (6’4″ 215lbs; 11/01/94) was drafted by the Twins in 38th round last year but decided to stay at Mississippi State University. This past season he led the SEC in almost every offensive category and was named SEC player of the year. He hit .387 with 23 home runs, 82 RBIs, 60 runs and 18 steals. He should sign for under slot value.
Round 2; Pick 37
Landon Leach, RHP – Leach (6’4″ 205lbs; 07/12/99) was the first Canadian selected in this year’s draft. He has three pitches in his repertoire that features a fastball, curve and changeup. Leach played on the Canadian team with the Twins’ fifth round pick last year, Jordan Balazovic. He is committed to Texas.
Round 3; Pick 76
Blayne Enlow, RHP – Enlow (6’3″ 180lbs; 03/21/99) was rated as the 29th best prospect by MLB.com and fell to the Twins due to questions about sign-ability. He is one of the top high school pitchers in the draft and the Twins will look to utilize their excess cap to sign Blayne. Enlow is said to have one of the best breaking balls of high schoolers with his 12-6 curve. He is committed to LSU.
Round 4; Pick 106
Charlie Barnes, LHP – Barnes (6’1″ 170lbs; 10/01/95) is out of Clemson and has a fastball that tops out at 91 MPH. However, he uses all his pitches and good command to get batters out. Charlie has pitches that range from 70 MPH up to 91 MPH and features two solid breaking balls, a cutter/slider and curveball.
Round 5; Pick 136
Andrew Bechtold, 3B – Bechtold (6’1″ 185lbs; 04/18/96) is out of Chipola College in Marianna, FL. He is committed to LSU for next season. He is projected to remain at third base and his bat can hit for both power and average. Bechtold was key to leading Chipola College to the Junior College World Series. Reports say that he should sign with the Twins who will overpay to sign him.
Round 6; Pick 166
Ricardo De La Torre, SS – De La Torre (6’2″ 175lbs; 01/21/99) is from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and is committed to Auburn. Ricardo played in the Perfect Game All-American Classic with Twins first rounder, Royce Lewis. There was a chance of him being drafted in the first round before a subpar spring.
Round 7; Pick 196
Ryley Widell, LHP – Widell (6’3″ 180lbs; 06/01/97) is out of Central Arizona College a junior college in Coolidge, AZ. He is currently committed to North Carolina and his best pitch is his changeup. Ryley also features a slider and a curveball to go along with a fastball that sits around 90 MPH. He could be tough to sign.
Round 8; Pick 226
Bryan Sammons, LHP – Sammons (6’4″ 225lbs; 04/27/95) is a senior out of Western Carolina University. He should be easy to sign as he is done with college and looking to move into the professional ranks. Bryan was 8-3 with a 3.02 ERA in 104.1 innings with 108 strikeouts this spring.
Round 9; Pick 256
Mark Contreras, OF – Contreras (5’10” 185lbs; 01/24/95) a senior from UC Riverside hit .366 this past season in 42 games. He should be another easy signing for the Twins as they look to spend money on high school prospects. Contreras played Northwoods League summer collegiate ball with the Rochester Honkers (Rochester, MN) in 2015 and 2016.
Round 10; Pick 286
Calvin Faucher, RHP – Faucher (6’1″ 175lbs; 09/22/95) was the closer for UC Irvine where had 20 saves in two season with 92 strikeouts in 65 innings. He projects as a bullpen arm, but not a major league closer. His 12.74 strikeouts per nine innings would be welcomed to the Twins pen. Calvin should sign as he was a senior.