Failed former Twins first round pick signs with Astros and is switching to pitcher
Hopefully this helps him finally turn things around.
They say if something isn't broken not to fix it, but former Minnesota Twins first round pick Keoni Cavaco proved that his game was beyong repair in the minors.
Just a few years after being the Twins' top pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Minnesota outright released Cavaco in June after he failed to show any improvements this season in Cedar Rapids. Despite over a half-decade in the system, Cavaco failed to make it any further than High-A ball, something he showed no signs of changing anytime soon.
Rather than fix his game, Cavaco is reportedly going to simply change it up -- literally.
MLB Pipeline reported that the Houston Astros had signed Cavaco to a Minor League deal, with Darren Wolfson noting that the move comes with a position change. Cavaco, who was drafted as a shortstop and played in the infield while in the Twins farm system, will be transitioning to pitcher with Houston.
Former Twins first round pick Keoni Cavaco is transitioning to pitcher with Astros
Hear that the former #MNTwins 1st round pick is transitioning to pitching. Astros were one of two teams who reached out that requested the position shift. https://t.co/DetguqUUz7
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 27, 2024
It's a pretty big plot twist, but one that hopefully helps Cavaco finally figure things out and find his footing.
This won't be the first position change for Cavaco, even if it's the most significant. He was drafted out of high school back in 2019 as a third baseman, but switched to shortstop while in the minors. Despite this, he failed to make any inroads at High-A ball, and never ended up reaching Double-A Wichita during his time with the Twins.
Hindsight doesn't do Cavaco any service, either. Minnesota used the No. 13 pick on him, passing on both Corbin Carroll and George Kirby who have since named All-Stars. If a shortstop was what the Twins were looking for, the Yankees took Anthony Volpe that year, while the Astros took catcher Korey Lee after the Twins had made their piack as well.
The Astros no longer have Lee, who they traded to the Chicago White Sox last year, but might have a sneaky strategy to salvage Cavaco's career. Here's to hoping his switch to pitcher is works and the former first round pick finally starts living up to expectations.
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