Twins Select Luke Bard With 42nd Pick Of 2012 MLB Draft

Georgia Tech right-hander Luke Bard is the Twins' second comp round pick. The brother of Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard, he tore a lat muscle at the end of March and hasn't pitched since. It isn't a long-term injury issue, so clearly the Twins believe in what Bard was showing prior to the set back.

MLB.com's draft tracker's scouting report:

The younger brother of Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard, Luke may not throw quite as hard as big bro, but he has enough fastball, touching the mid-90s at times. He combines that with a good power slider, and that was enough to have some success when he was given a chance to start for Georgia Tech this year. A torn lat muscle ended his season early, somewhat ending his climb. Most see his future in the bullpen, where the his combination of fastball and power breaking ball would play up.

Again, you have to believe that the Twins disagree with this assessment. Nobody is going to use a Top 50 pick on a guy they project as a relief pitcher because it's a terrible use of resources.

This is Minnesota's last pick tonight. We'll be back tomorrow with more a more in-depth look at Buxton, Berrios, and Bard. Also tomorrow, the Twins have three more picks in the Top 100: #62, #73, and #97.