Puckett's Pond
Fansided

Minnesota Twins Rule 5 and Minor League Free Agent Preview

By Benjamin Chase

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 8: Minnesota Twins mascot rallies the crowd during Game One of the American League Championship Series against the Anaheim Angels on October 8, 2002 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Angels 2-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 8: Minnesota Twins mascot rallies the crowd during Game One of the American League Championship Series against the Anaheim Angels on October 8, 2002 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Angels 2-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next

If there’s room on the 40, these will get protected

Luke Bard, RHP
Bard is the brother of Daniel Bard, the former excellent Red Sox reliever who ran into arm trouble and was never the same. Luckily for Luke, he ran into that injury trouble in the minor leagues, getting himself back in 2015 as a reliever to become one of the most dominant relievers in the minor leagues. However, he’s among a whole host of similar relievers that the Twins have, so it could be difficult to distinguish with him versus other power-throwing righties.

Nick Burdi, RHP
If it weren’t for injuries, Burdi would already be in the major leagues. He’s had the stuff to be ready for the next level for a year or two, but his injury issues have meant that he simply hasn’t put in the innings to really feel comfortable making that jump yet. He will likely miss most of 2018, so he’s going to be a tough selection if anyone does pick him, which could lead the Twins to leave him unprotected, but there has been a trend in recent years to select injured arms like Burdi and hold onto them through a DL season to hopefully catch an elite arm.

Mason Melotakis, LHP
If you would have asked me in February, Melotakis would have been in the first group. After some issues with velocity in the early part of the season, Melotakis was removed from the 40-man in the early part of the season. He’s recovered his velocity and looks like the guy the Twins were excited about coming into 2017, but at the same time, a number of other lefty relievers have passed him up or caught him at this point, so he could be left available. He’s also the type of pitcher that is selected often, so if he isn’t protected, don’t be surprised if he’s gone.

Emmanuel Morel, IF
For many, Morel would be in the next group down simply because he’s not played full season ball yet at this point. However, the word on Morel was so strong this season from all who saw him that it would be tough to not protect him. That said, with no full-season ball under his belt, he’s an unlikely selection, so the Twins could leave him unprotected and take the chance.

Jake Reed, RHP
Reed is another guy who I would have guaranteed in February would be protected, however, yet another season of struggles to stay on the field, Reed is a question mark. Reed could be a guy whose big fastball and raw stuff gets him drafted, especially with experience at the upper levels of the minor leagues. The Twins have seen a number of relievers step up, including John Curtiss, who passed Reed by in 2017, so he could end up exposed due to a numbers game.

Kohl Stewart, RHP
The former #4 overall selection has progressed through the system, but many would say that he’s not progressed as a pitcher in that time. Stewart really hasn’t had to “learn to pitch” to get to the upper minors thanks to elite raw stuff, but he’s notably put up a low strikeout rate for a guy who can pump in an upper-90s fastball. The Twins may protect him simply because of the pedigree, but Stewart could be on a “make or break” year in 2018, where he ends up moving to the bullpen if he can’t show progress as a starter.

Home/Minnesota Twins News