Mock Draft for the Minnesota Twins No. 1 Pick in the 2020 Draft
With the MLB draft just two days away, it’s time to take a look at who would be a good fit for the Minnesota Twins.
With the MLB draft the only MLB event expected in June, it’s time to get a look at who the Minnesota Twins would try and bring in. Because the Minnesota Twins signed Josh Donaldson, that means the team will be without it’s third round pick, and as picks are based on record, here’s what the Twins have:
- No. 27 (first round)
- No. 59 (second round)
- No. 128 (fourth round)
- No. 158 (fifth round)
This means that there won’t be a lot of new talent to get for the team, as only four new picks isn’t much. What they choose to do with those picks will show their creativity and what they plan to do going forward.
In the past three drafts the Twins have leaned a lot more on college bats, building a system of talent that is full of MLB ready. They also like players with a lot of upside (such as Keoni Cavaco) as well as raw power (like Brent Rooker and Ryan Jeffers, who I was able to interview).
In addition, the team tends to avoid high school pitchers (as pitchers are far more unpredictable and easily injured). The Twins also have the opportunity to grab whoever they want with a well-built roster and a deep farm system.
This means that Falvey and Levine will focus on college pitchers, power hitters, and upside rather than positional need. With that in mind, we took a look at which players would be a good fit for the Twins of MLB.com’s Top 50 prospects:
Top 25 Players the Minnesota Twins would need to fall
No. 9-RHP Max Meyer, Minnesota: This may be the want to see a hometown kid get drafted, but Max Meyer may just fall. Despite an electric harm with a 93-97 MPH fastball and the best slider in the draft, Meyer has one big question mark: durability.
Meyer has mainly been a reliever throughout his pitching in college, and while he was an excellent starting pitcher for the Gophers, teams wonder if he’ll be more than a very good reliever. This means he could drop to the Twins for a steal at No. 27.
No. 13-OF Austin Hendrick, West Allegheny HS (PA): This is one of those high-upside picks that the Minnesota Twins would love. Hendrick strikes out a lot, so his hit tool isn’t perfect, so he has a chance at sliding.
Hendrick likely won’t fall, but if he does, the Twins would love to scoop up a player with the potential to be a middle of the order powerhouse.
No. 17-C Patrick Bailey, North Carolina State: Bailey was picked by the Twins as a high school prospect in the 38th Round in 2017, instead choosing to go to college to improve his draft prospects. Fortunately for the Twins, Bailey still has all the tools that made the Twins like him in the first place.
Bailey doesn’t have any great tools, but he’s a really good fielder with a really good arm. His bat lags behind, but scouts still believe backup catcher is his floor. Don’t be surprised if the Twins scoop him up again.
No. 18-RHP Garrett Crochet, Tennessee: One of the few top left-handed pitchers projected as a top-20 pick Crochet checks all the Twins’ boxes. Crochet is a college pitcher with four good pitches and still has some projection left.
Crochet also has a bit of an injury history and as a 6’6″ pitcher that can cause a little more strain, but few organizations are as well equipped to handle that as the Twins are. Lastly, the Twins have one lefty in their Top 30 prospects, and he’s about to graduate, so the Twins need help in this area badly.
No. 19-C Tyler Soderstrom, Turlock HS (CA): Another catcher? Catchers are extremely valuable to MLB teams, especially to teams like the Twins, who have two decent catching prospects in their system but lack anything further.
Soderstrom is the opposite of Bailey and would require the Twins to use a large chunk of their draft pool capital to sign and pull him away from UCLA. That being said, grabbing an high potential, power hitting catcher would be worth it at 27.
Players ranked around the Minnesota Twins No. 27 Pick
No. 22-RHP Cade Cavalli, Oklahoma: Cavalli is a top candidate to fall due to his lengthy injury history, but he also has the potential to be a stellar pitcher if handled correctly, making him a great grab for the Twins.
No. 24-C Dillon Dingler, Ohio State: One of the deepest catcher drafts in a while produces another player in the Twins range, Dingler has a cannon and is pretty fast for a catcher. He’s still getting better, so his ceiling is still rising.
No. 26-RHP Bobby Miller, Louisville: A 6’5″ pitcher with two decent pitches, an excellent fastball and a still projectable frame. Once again, more upside, even from a college pitcher could make for a possible steal at 27.
No. 27-C Austin Wells, Arizona: The player who is ranked at the Twins draft pick might actually end up as the Twins’ first round pick. Wells is yet another catcher, but he’s a little different than the other catchers on this list.
Wells bat is excellent, and will help him rise quickly. The only issue is his defense. His arm and glove are average, but the Twins’ excellent catching development staff could remedy that (they helped Garver a lot).
One Reach the Minnesota Twins might make
No. 37-SS Jordan Westburg, Mississippi State: The Twins have already said that they’re looking to be responsive in the draft, meaning they’ll likely pick the best available player. This makes a reach unlikely, but if there is one, Westburg seems like a good bet.
Westburg isn’t a particularly elite player right now, but if he bulks up and moves over to third, he could become a stellar player at the hot corner, and his upside is perfect for a Twins team that doesn’t have a hole right now (thanks Donaldson).