Twins Draft-shoot: Where were the current Twins drafted?

As a real live sports thing is currently happening (the NFL draft), I thought I’d take a look at where and when the current Twins were drafted and how their peers compare to them. Obviously, a large portion of the Twins roster were signed as amateur free agents from other countries. However, I’ll be looking at those who were drafted in the MLB draft.

Mitch Garver: Drafted in the 9th round in 2013, by the Twins. 2013 was the draft where the Twins spent the #4 overall pick on the legendary Kohl Stewart.

Josh Donaldson: The newest star Twin was drafted in the supplemental first round of 2007 by the Cubs. The Twins took outfielder Ben Revere off the board before the then-catcher was taken.

Jake Cave: Super Jake Cave was taken in the 6th round of the 2011 draft by the Yankees. The Twins drafted Levi Michael in the first round that year, and no one else of note.

Byron Buxton: As we all know, Buxton was taken 2nd overall in 2012. While he hasn’t quite budded into a star (yet), he actually has turned out to be one of the better draft picks from that year.

Alex Avila: Another new Twin, Avila was drafted in the 5th round in 2008 by the Tigers. The Twins drafted Aaron Hicks in the first round that year, as well as current Astros star George Springer and current Cardinals 2nd baseman Kolten Wong later on. Both of the latter did not sign with the team.

Eddie Rosario: Drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 draft by the Minnesota squad. The Twins drafted Alex Wimmers in the first round that year, as well as Twinkie Town favorite Pat Dean a few picks ahead of Rosario.

Cody Stashak: Stashak, a reliever on the edge of making the bullpen, was drafted in the 13th round in 2015 by the Twins. They picked Tyler Jay 6th overall that year, as well as the still-on-the-way Travis Blankenhorn in the third round. Notably, they drafted Chippewa Falls native Kyle Cody in the second round, but he did not sign with them. He would eventually be drafted in the 6th round by the Rangers in 2016.

Devin Smeltzer: Smeltzer was drafted in the 5th round of the 2016 draft by the Dodgers. The Twins picked stud prospect Alex Kirilloff in the first round.

Homer Bailey: New pitcher Bailey was drafted 7th overall by the Reds in 2004. Glen Perkins was the Twins selection that year. (Yes, he’s rather old)

Jose Berrios: The staff “ace” was drafted in 2012 by the Twins at #32 overall. Between Buxton and Berrios, 2012 has to be one of the best Twins drafts in the recent memory.

Sergio Romo: Fan favorite Romo was drafted way back in 2005 by the San Francisco Giants. The Twins drafted pitchers Matt Garza and Kevin Slowey in the 1st and 2nd rounds, respectively.

Taylor Rogers: Stud reliever Rogers was drafted in the 11th round of 2012 by the Twins. Yet another feather in the cap for the Twins from the 2012 draft, along with Buxton and Berrios.

Jake Odorizzi: Odorizzi was drafted 32nd overall in 2008 by the Milwaukee Brewers. This was one pick after the selection of the immortal Steven Hunt by the Twins.

Tyler Clippard: The journeyman reliever was drafted 17 years ago, in 2003, by the New York Yankees in the 9th round. This was the year that Delmon Young went first overall to the Devil Rays and the Twins drafted Matt Moses and Scott Baker in the first and second rounds.

Trevor May: Another 2008 alum, May was drafted in the fourth round by the Phillies. Why does he seem so very much younger than Odorizzi and Avila??

Tyler Duffey: The Twins drafted breakout reliever Duffey in the 5th round of 2012. This draft class is incredible.

Zack Littell: Littell was drafted in the 11th round of 2013 by the Seattle Mariners. The red-headed reliever was taken even later than our beloved Mitch Garver in that draft.

Matt Wisler: The new signing who came in to compete for a bullpen spot, Wisler was drafted in the 7th round of 2011 by the San Diego Padres. Jake Cave was drafted in the round before.

Rich Hill: The team’s elder statesman (yes, older than Cruz) was drafted for the first time in 1999!!!, before going back to college. He signed with the Cubs in 2002 after being drafted in the 4th round of that draft. He has had an incredible career for a 4th round pick. The Twins drafted Denard Span and Jesse Crain in the first two rounds of that draft.

Now, while many of the Twins high draft picks have not panned out in the past 20 years, I don’t mean for this to just drag the drafting ability of the organization. What should you really take away from this? The MLB Draft is a complete and utter crapshoot in most cases.