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Minnesota Twins 2018 MLB Draft first round selection roundtable discussion

By Nate Palmer

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig announces the fifth overall pick of Nick Gordon by the Minnesota Twins during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig announces the fifth overall pick of Nick Gordon by the Minnesota Twins during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights HS (Texas)

written by Martin Schlegel

A right-handed pitcher, Grayson Rodriguez ranks high in most MLB Draft prospect lists. However, not every mock draft has him going in the in the first round. And if a mock draft has a team drafting Rodriguez in the first round, it’s usually no higher than the Twins pick at No. 20.

I went with Rodriguez over some other draft-eligible high school pitchers such as Cole Winn, Ethan Hankins, and Ryan Weathers. Winn and Weathers might not fall to the Twins in the latter stages of the first round. As for Hankins, he has a commitment to Vanderbilt and it’s suggested that it might take more money to convince him to pursue professional baseball rather than perfect his craft in college.

With that said, Rodriguez appears to available when the Twins make its first-round selection. MLB.com indicates he’ll sign with any team rather than go to Texas A&M. He also features a four-pitch mix, something not every high school pitcher has. His fastball sits 92-94 mph but can reach 96 mph, his slider sits 80-83 mph, and his curveball sits 72-75. His changeup, on all reports, is rarely used and is still being developed.

A lot of scouting reports mention Rodriguez’s feel for pitching and his calm demeanor on the mound. Along with his mental attributes, reports indicate his 6-foot-5 and 230-pound body is ready for pitching professionally with room to grow physically even more.

Based on his potential to continue steady growth once in the minor leagues, his above-average four-pitch mix, and his signability as a high school pitcher, I believe Rodriguez to be a worthy first-round selection for the Twins.

(Reports and info from; Perfect Game USA, MLB Pipeline, 2080 Baseball, and DraftSite.com)

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