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A recent history of Twins’ First-Round Picks

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 17: Number one overall draft pick Royce Lewis speaks at a press conference on June 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 17: Number one overall draft pick Royce Lewis speaks at a press conference on June 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Twins
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 20: A Minnesota Twins cap and glove in the dug out before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards at on August 20, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

2015: P Tyler Jay (6th Overall)

Picking in the top-ten once again, this would be one of the picks that would spell the end of the Terry Ryan era in Minnesota. On the lookout for more pitching, the Twins decided to go back to the college ranks to get Tyler Jay, who many thought would be on a fast track to the major leagues as either a starter or a reliever.

At the beginning of his minor league career, Jay was serviceable, even posting a 3.33 ERA between High-A Fort Myers and Double-A Chattanooga in 2016. Like Stewart, he too began to see a decline in velocity and it eventually was found out to be thoracic outlet syndrome, which also spelled the end of Phil Hughes‘ tenure with the Twins.

Jay hasn’t been spectacular for the Twins as he’s battled back from his injury and was even exposed for the Rule 5 draft last winter. To make matters worse, the following pick was Andrew Benintendi, who has become a crucial part of the Boston Red Sox and could make the current Twins outfield even better.

There’s still time for Jay to make an appearance or two in Minnesota, but at 25 years old, it’s likely that he has reached his athletic pick and projects more as a middle-of-the-road reliever.

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