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) /
The Minnesota Twins have the 20th selection in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft. We at Puckett’s Pond like these four players if they are available.
The Minnesota Twins are set to select 20th in the 2018 MLB Amateur draft come Monday, June 4th. After years of top 10 selections due to losing seasons, this will be the lowest the franchise has selected a player since 2010 when they selected 21st. In last year’s draft the Twins had the largest amount of draft pool money out of any team and had an excellent draft. Something we recently highlighted here.
Now with a bottom five amount of draft pool money in the league the Twins front office will have a tall task to try to find some impact players in the 2018 draft. History and a bit of luck may be on the Twins side as they have had success drafting in this spot and around this spot in past drafts.
Most recently in 2016 with the 15th pick, the Twins selected outfielder Alex Kirilloff who is performing very well for the Twins at Single-A Cedar Rapids this season. In 2009 the Twins selected starting pitcher Kyle Gibson with the 22nd selection. Even with Gibson’s early struggles as a major league pitcher that pick looks like a pretty solid MLB draft pick with his performance over the past year. And again at 22nd in 2004 the Twins found a Minnesota kid in Glen Perkins.
Other 20th overall selections include an encouraging group of former Twins. In 2004 the Twins selected then shortstop Trevor Plouffe. 2002 saw the selection of outfielder and current Seattle Mariner Denard Span. And it is impossible to leave out the Twins 1993 selection in none other than outfielder Torii Hunter.
In a draft that isn’t nearly as deep as 2017 and with much less money it may be hard to grab as many impact players in 2018. If they with that 20th overall selection can find a player like the three just listed they would likely consider that a successful selection and draft. The worry is for any team is that they might completely whiff and end up with a player that has the career path more like that of Alex Whimmers who the Twins selected 21st overall in 2010.
The following words are a collaboration of your favorite Puckett’s Pond writers and a player that grabs their attention out of the players that could be available for the Twins when their name is called.
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.
Kumar Rocker is an interesting player. I’ll admit, I initially looked into him because his name is just cool, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. He’s the son of former NFL lineman and Georgia defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. Kumar definitely looks like an NFL lineman standing on the mound at 6’5 and 250 lbs. That’s not a typo, this is a BIG kid. Scouts agree though, his size only adds to his power.
Rocker is a right handed pitcher who is set to graduate high school this year and whose rank is debatable among draft experts. He’s been placed as high as 8th and as low as 23rd. Most drafts have him going somewhere in the middle of the first round. It might be a stretch to think the Twins would have a shot at him, but there’s a kicker: He’s also verbally committed to Vanderbilt and he seems genuinely conflicted by his decision. It’s entirely possible that a club won’t want to give up a high pick on a kid who might change his mind.
As for what he could bring to the Twins, Rocker’s fastball tops out at 98 mph. He consistently hits between 92-95. He’s also got a mid-80’s slider that looks nasty on film and he’s been working on developing a change up, which would make him ideal in a starting pitching role. Pitching is a spot, as all Twins fans know, the club has struggled with over the recent years. Scouts are in agreement that his command is there, better than most pitchers his age.
Physically, Rocker is obviously intimidating on the mound. His lower half is strong and powerful, which makes his release and delivery look effortless. That lower body strength could benefit him as he gets older taking some of the pressure off of his throwing arm and upper body. Most scouts say that there may even be room to improve upon his size as he comes through the ranks. At 18 years old, he already has the size and mound presence that most pitching coaches only dream of.
This certainly is not the safest pick for the Twins or really any first round team. If Rocker falls too far in the draft, there’s a distinct possibility that he will choose Vanderbilt over the MLB. He also has some room to improve his change up and ideally develop a fourth pitch to cement his status as a starting pitcher. That said, Rocker appears to be the real deal and, again, he’s only 18. He could be a long term investment for a club like Minnesota who is known for being patient with player development. If he can fall to the Twins, I think he would be more than worth taking a chance on.
Shane McClanahan, LHP, University of South Florida
written by Nate Palmer
Shane McClanahan is one of the most intriguing players of this draft. He has had his name at points in time associated with being worthy of the top pick in the draft consideration. While at the same time McClanahan has fallen to the back of the first round in other mock drafts. That is what happens when you are a left-handed pitcher who touches 100 mph with your fastball but also has questions surrounding the command of your pitches.
Before going to USF, McClanahan was a 26th round draft pick by the New York Mets in the 2015 MLB Draft. Since then McClanahan had to miss his freshman season due to Tommy John surgery. After returning from injury the lefty has made himself the ace of the USF staff and one of the top pitchers in Division 1 baseball as he holds the best strikeout per nine ratio of 15.06.
McClanahan’s fastball which sits 97-100 mph consistently grades out with a 70 rating from scouts. He also uses a changeup and slider which should also be plus pitches as he moves into professional baseball. The two off-speed pitches also give McClanahan the ability to be effective against both left-handed and right-handed opposing hitters.
Control is what will make or break McClanahan’s draft position. If a team thinks they can help him with those issues no one would be too shocked if he ended up as a top-10 selection. With the Twins having proclaimed pitching guru Derek Falvey in their front office, maybe they will see a pitcher they can groom if McClanahan is there for the taking at pick 20.
A hard-throwing pitcher with control issues is still a gamble and something that is a recurring theme for many failed pitching prospects. That is what will cause some teams to pass on McClanahan come draft day. It also could mean finding a diamond (ace) in the rough.
Jackson Kowar, RHP, University of Florida
written by John Geiger II
One pitcher the Minnesota Twins should consider if he’s available is Jackson Kowar. Jonathan Mayo currently has the University of Florida right-hander being selected number 19 in his most recent mock draft.
Although that is one spot ahead of where the Twins draft, this is only a mock draft. Let’s be honest, how often are mock draft correct? Exactly. So, that means Kowar is just the type of player that should be there at pick number 20.
MLB Pipelines has Kowar ranked 15 in their top 200 and he will provide great value at the 20th pick. The 6’5″ former Gator has the makings of a solid rotation piece in the future.
Kowar throws his fastball in the mid 90’s and can touch 98 on occasion. His curveball is still a developing pitch and its development will be crucial to his success in the rotation. However, he throws a plus-changeup that will help him get outs at any level.
The Minnesota Twins have some quality arms in the Minor Leagues with pitchers like Stephen Gonsalves and Tyler Jay who should have an impact in MLB soon. However, if a pitcher this talented drops to the Twins position in the draft, there should be no hesitation in drafting him.
The 21-year-old is also a college Junior and pitchers coming out of college usually reach the Majors faster than high school pitchers. Kowar doesn’t have a “sky’s the limit” ceiling, nor is he a can’t miss prospect. However, he does project to be a solid middle of the rotation type of pitcher at worst. If that doesn’t work out for him, he could develop into a true asset coming out of the bullpen.
