Twinkie Town - 2014 MLB Draft Preview: Minnesota TwinsAn online community of Twins fans mourning the death of Prince Rogers Nelson.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52554/tt_fav.png2014-06-09T14:50:11-04:00http://www.twinkietown.com/rss/stream/55019812014-06-09T14:50:11-04:002014-06-09T14:50:11-04:00Twins sign Nick Gordon
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<figcaption>Rich Schultz</figcaption>
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<p>That was fast!</p> <p>Most teams like to move quickly with their top draft picks. I don't think we thought the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> would move quite so quickly. Just a few minutes ago it was announced that the Twins had signed Nick Gordon, their first round and fifth overall pick in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb-draft">MLB draft</a>.</p>
<p>While it was initially unclear how much the Twins had signed Gordon for, sources seem to think that it will be for slot value.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Nick Gordon signed for the slot value at No. 5, source says. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mntwins&src=hash">#mntwins</a></p>
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBerardino/statuses/476068186769850368">June 9, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Slot value for the fifth overall pick this season was $3,851,000. If that's actually what the deal is, you have to be happy with that. Having your most expensive draft pick signed for slot makes signing the rest of the top ten that much easier.</p>
<p>The Twins have announced a press conference for 3:00pm. We'll have more later if it's anything other than the standard announcement.</p>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/9/5794126/twins-sign-nick-gordon-first-round-pickJesse Lund2014-06-08T07:25:40-04:002014-06-08T07:25:40-04:00Minnesota Twins 2014 draft recap: pick-by-pick
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<figcaption>Rich Schultz</figcaption>
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<p>Who did the Twins draft this weekend? Here's the full list.</p> <table align="center" border="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Round</b></td>
<td><b>Pick</b></td>
<td><b>Name</b></td>
<td><b>Pos</b></td>
<td><b>B/T</b></td>
<td><b>School</b></td>
<td><b>Class</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>L/R</td>
<td>Olympia HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>Nick Burdi</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Lousville</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>79</td>
<td>Michael Cederoth</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>San Diego State</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>110</td>
<td>Sam Clay</td>
<td>LHP</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>Georgia Tech</td>
<td>SO</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>140</td>
<td>Jake Reed</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>170</td>
<td>John Curtiss</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Texas</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>200</td>
<td>Andro Cutura</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Southeastern Louisiana University</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>230</td>
<td>Keaton Steele</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Missouri</td>
<td>SR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>260</td>
<td>Max Murphy</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Bradley University</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>290</td>
<td>Randy LeBlanc</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Tulane</td>
<td>SR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>320</td>
<td>Tanner English</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>South Carolina</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>350</td>
<td>Pat Kelly</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Nebraska</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>380</td>
<td>Zach Tillery</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Florida Gulf Coast University</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>410</td>
<td>Tyler Mautner</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>University of Buffalo</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>440</td>
<td>Roberto Gonzalez</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>University HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>470</td>
<td>Tyler Kuresa</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>University of California Santa Barbara</td>
<td>SR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>500</td>
<td>Mat Batts</td>
<td>LHP</td>
<td>R/L</td>
<td>UNC - Wilmington</td>
<td>5S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>530</td>
<td>T.J. White</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>UNLV</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>560</td>
<td>Jarrard Poteete</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>L/R</td>
<td>Connors State</td>
<td>J2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>590</td>
<td>McCarthy Tatum</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Clovis HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>620</td>
<td>Onas Farfan</td>
<td>LHP</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>Ridgewater College</td>
<td>J2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td>650</td>
<td>Trevor Hildenberger</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>California</td>
<td>5S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>680</td>
<td>Miles Nordgren</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Birmingham Southern</td>
<td>SR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>710</td>
<td>Alex Real</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>New Mexico</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>740</td>
<td>Taylor Hearn</td>
<td>LHP</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>San Jacinto College North</td>
<td>J2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>770</td>
<td>Black Schmit</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Maryland</td>
<td>SR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>800</td>
<td>Gabriel Ojeda</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Colegio Hector Urdaneta (PR)</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>830</td>
<td>Austin Diemer</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Cal State - Fullerton</td>
<td>JR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>860</td>
<td>Cameron Avila-Leeper</td>
<td>LHP</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>Grant HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>890</td>
<td>Theo Theofanopoulos</td>
<td>LHP</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>California</td>
<td>SR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>920</td>
<td>Sam Hilliard</td>
<td>LHP</td>
<td>L/L</td>
<td>Crowder College</td>
<td>J2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>950</td>
<td>Orynn Veillon</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>St. Thomas More HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>980</td>
<td>Trey Vavra</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Florida Southern College</td>
<td>SR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>1010</td>
<td>Mike Baumann</td>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Mahtomedi HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>1040</td>
<td>Brad Mathiowetz</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Rochester Mayo HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>1070</td>
<td>Kirvin Moesquit</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>S/R</td>
<td>Highlands Christian HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td>1100</td>
<td>Tyree Davis</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>S/R</td>
<td>Centennial HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>38</td>
<td>1130</td>
<td>Brett Doe</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Baylor</td>
<td>5S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td>1160</td>
<td>John Jones</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Orangewood Christian HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>40</td>
<td>1190</td>
<td>Dalton Guthrie</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>R/R</td>
<td>Venice HS</td>
<td>HS</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/8/5790536/minnesota-twins-2014-draft-recap-pick-by-pickJesse Lund2014-06-05T23:45:15-04:002014-06-05T23:45:15-04:002014 MLB Draft: Twins Select Nick Burdi
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</figure>
<p>Twins select right-handed pitcher from Louisville. </p> <p>With their second pick in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb-draft">2014 MLB draft</a> the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> selected Nick Burdi. It was the second time Burdi was drafted by the Twins organization, as he was originally selected by the Twins in the 24th round of the 2011 draft. Burdi was primarily a closer at Louisville, with scouts projecting him as a closer at the MLB level and being regarded as the top collegiate reliever. He checks in at 6-4, 220 and is 21 years-old, throws a fastball that touches 100 mph, and a power slider that registers in the low 90s.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4572841/jonah-hill-shock.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Jonah-hill-shock_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4572841/jonah-hill-shock_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/06/draft-prospect-qa-nick-burdi.html">MLBtraderumors.com did a Q/A with him and just by reading his responses, he seems like a swell kid.</a> Burdi has proclaimed he models his game to;</p>
<p>"<i>The likes of <span>Trevor Rosenthal</span>, <span>Aroldis Chapman</span>, and <span>Craig Kimbrel</span>. I always watched the taller closers and followed what they did."</i></p>
<p>Whether its closing or just being an asset out of the bullpen, Burdi is willing to accept whatever role is asked of him. Burdi is the highest Louisville Cardinal to be drafted in school history. The Louisville <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> are still in play for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-world-series">College World Series</a> and play in a super regional this weekend. He only adds to another young arsenal of arms the Twins have been stock-piling in the draft lately. <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2014-draft-preview-best-tools/">According to Baseball America, he's regarded as the quickest to reach the majors in this year’s draft class.</a></p>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/5/5784776/2014-mlb-draft-twins-select-nick-burdithe_dexster2014-06-05T19:38:41-04:002014-06-05T19:38:41-04:002014 MLB Draft: Twins Select Nick Gordon
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<figcaption>David Manning-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>And nobody is surprised.</p> <p>At the top of the 2014 MLB Draft, there weren't many surprises. Brady Aiken went number one overall to the Astros, Tyler Kolek actually went second to the Marlins, Carlos Rodon was snatched up at three by the White Sox, and Kyle Schwarber went number four to the Cubs. That left popular choices Nick Gordon and Aaron Nola on the board for Minnesota, and as expected the Twins went with Gordon.</p>
<p>Gordon had a spectacular senior season in high school as a shortstop, hitting .512 with a .588 on-base percentage. Those are impressive marks, even in high school, and in spite of a couple of mechanical issues that will need to be addressed most scouts believe he has the potential to be a top-of-the-order bat with a projectable hit tool and very good command of the strike zone.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twinkietown.com/2014/5/21/5737580/2014-mlb-draft-twins-preview-scouting-nick-gordon/in/5501981">2014 MLB Draft Preview: Scouting Nick Gordon</a></h2>
<a href="http://www.twinkietown.com/2014/5/21/5737580/2014-mlb-draft-twins-preview-scouting-nick-gordon/in/5501981"> <img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33973235/GYI0065233861.0_portrait_273.0.jpg"> </a><br>Want to know more about Nick Gordon? Everything you need to know is right here.</div>
<p><span>What drew teams at the top of the draft to Gordon, however, and what made him a Top Five pick, is his defense. He moves easily with range to both his left and his right, gets rave reviews for his soft hands and his easy motion, and with a good arm is considered an exceptional defender.</span></p>
<p>Looking back to our scouting report on Gordon, we put together a number of 20-80 scale scouting reports to come up with these current and future ratings for the five tools.</p>
<p><b>Hit: </b>40/55<br><b>Power:</b> 40/50<br><b>Speed:</b> 65/65<br><b>Arm:</b> 70/70<br><b>Fielding:</b> 55/65</p>
<p>By the rules of Keith Law's explanation, a 50 rating is a "Solid/Average player at the MLB level." A 55 is "One grade above average," or, better than average at that position. A 60 is All-Star caliber. A 70 is a perennial All-Star. And 80 is elite. Looking at that list, it's easy to see why so many teams loved Gordon: He has three All-Star level tools.</p>
<p>It's those tools, which by all account are well-developed, which give Gordon a relatively high floor...provided he hits at all. And that's the real question. If Gordon's hit tools develop, he could be a perennial All-Star who hits at the top of the Twins' batting order. That's where the high ceiling comes in. If he hits just enough, he could still be one of the best defensive shortstops in the league, he'll just hit at the bottom of the lineup.</p>
<p>But that's all if he hits enough. If he can't hit, then this pick will look like a bust two or three years from now.</p>
<p>You can never truly judge a draft until years down the line, and sometimes a decade doesn't tell the whole story. It's why we as Twins fans are still looking at the 2004 draft - how much value can Glen Perkins and Trevor Plouffe deliver? Plenty. For right now, though, Nick Gordon is a good pick for the Twins. There were a number of players worthy of going to Minnesota at number five, and Gordon is certainly one of them.</p>
<p>Dex will be back with more on the Twins' second round selection later tonight.</p>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/5/5784052/2014-mlb-draft-twins-select-nick-gordonJesse Lund2014-06-05T17:30:04-04:002014-06-05T17:30:04-04:002014 MLB Draft Open Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/majXfkqVV7Z_kkG64MPtAA1EWTI=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33970503/20140604_kkt_sk1_281.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The draft begins in roughly 30 minutes. LET'S TALK THE BASEBALLS.</p> <p>I want to see your opinions in the comments: who do you think the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> will take? No, not who do <i>you</i> want the Twins to take - who do you actually think the front office and scouting directors will select with the fifth overall pick? Here are my top five.</p>
<p> </p>
<ol>
<li><span>Nick Gordon, SS</span></li>
<li><span>Aaron Nola, RHP</span></li>
<li><span>Tyler Kolek, RHP</span></li>
<li><span>Kyle Freeland, LHP</span></li>
<li><span>Sean Newcombe, LHP</span></li>
</ol>
<div><span>Minnesota has just two picks tonight: numbers five and 46 overall. That's the first and second rounds, with nothing extra milling around to be taken in any of the supplemental rounds.</span></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Make a good pick, Twins.</div>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/5/5782462/2014-mlb-draft-open-threadJesse Lund2014-06-05T11:49:05-04:002014-06-05T11:49:05-04:00Nick Gordon to the Twins a lock?
<figure>
<img alt="Hey, Aaron Nola kinda looks like the guy who played Cyclops in the X-Men movies. Is Aaron Nola Cyclops?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1iV31bfi82HRlxFLruqFtFfcM-s=/0x30:535x387/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33953543/20120608_ajw_al6_264.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hey, Aaron Nola kinda looks like the guy who played Cyclops in the X-Men movies. Is Aaron Nola Cyclops? | Crystal Logiudice-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It seems the stars have aligned and that the Minnesota Twins are one of the only sure things at the top of the first round of tonight's MLB draft.</p> <p>If the industry has anything to say about it, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> will be selecting shortstop Nick Gordon with the fifth overall pick in tonight's draft. We've been tracking mock drafts for the last few weeks, and in 11 of the last 14 drafts (going back to May 16), it's been Gordon to Minnesota. Keith Law, Baseball America, John Sickels, Jim Callis - Gordon to the Twins.</p>
<p>Gordon to the Twins.</p>
<p>Gordon to the Twins.</p>
<p>And nothing has changed. Keith Law and John Manuel both released updated mocks today, and here's what they had to say.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=4&source=keith-law-mock-draft" target="_blank">Law</a>: This is the lock of the draft. Unless Brady Aiken gets here, which he won't, they're taking Gordon.</i></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mock-draft-5-0-aiken-looks-like-no-1/"><i>Manuel</i></a><i>: The pick the industry seemed most sure about is the Twins', though they'd shift gears, perhaps to Hartford lefthander Sean Newcomb, if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> cut a deal with Gordon at No. 4.</i>
</blockquote>
<p>On Twitter a short while ago, I asked Minor League Ball head honcho and minor league guru his thoughts.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/TwinkieTown">@TwinkieTown</a> Barring something weird like the Cubs or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> picking him, yeah Gordon seems like the obvious choice with Nola as #2</p>
— johnsickels (@MinorLeagueBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/MinorLeagueBall/statuses/474568638754598914">June 5, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Everyone is willing to list a caveat or two, and they should. But if you thought that the industry's consensus was pretty airtight over the last week, then today it's been taken to a whole new level. I'll leave you with a pair of tweets from Darren Wolfson from this morning. Darren is closer to the Twins than pretty much anyone, and here's what he had to say.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>(1/2) Big-shots Radcliff & Johnson each have seen HS SS Nick Gordon in person over 10 times. Told <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MNTwins&src=hash">#MNTwins</a> have seen him more than anyone.</p>
— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenWolfson/statuses/474524848094740480">June 5, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>(2/2) Radcliff: "Profiles as a SS and has hit skills. Real talented player." I'll continue to make Gordon the favorite if he's there at 5.</p>
— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenWolfson/statuses/474525142195109889">June 5, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Will the Twins take Gordon? Or will they prove the world wrong and go with someone else? I tend to agree with Sickels: if Minnesota shies away from the shortstop, it'll probably be for Aaron Nola.</p>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/5/5782702/2014-mlb-draft-preview-nick-gordon-to-the-twins-a-lock-at-number-fiveJesse Lund2014-06-05T11:29:00-04:002014-06-05T11:29:00-04:00MLB Mock Drafts: Tracking Picks for the Twins
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HNycVJKilO1cgziuDwlbA8jDJCg=/3x0:3996x2662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33159263/20131212_mje_mb2_077.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Manning-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who does everyone have going to Minnesota? Nick Gordon? Okay, that's cool.</p> <p>The rise and fall of prospects within weeks of a draft can get a bit ridiculous. Pundits favor a player's last couple of appearances over his body of work, essentially weighting small sample sizes as more important than long-term trends. It's all a game, and it's not worth buying into since A) we never know how organizations evaluate and prioritize talent, and B) every mock draft in the history of any sport ever has been wrong.</p>
<p>In baseball, however, there's the added factor of capped draft pools and risks relating to paying over slot. It's why nobody is really sure what Houston (or Miami, for that matter) will end up doing, even though we now that Carlos Rodon and Brady Aiken are the top two preferred talents available.</p>
<p>So, as pundits change their mind based off of reasons both legitimate and silly, I thought it might be useful to keep track of the more well-known mock drafts to see how the experts are tracking the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Twins</a>.</p>
<p><b>Note, 4 June</b></p>
<p>With the draft tomorrow, there seems to be a gathering consensus about the top of the draft - and not just with the Twins. Brady Aiken looks like the almost unanimous pick to go number one overall, and between Keith Law's second and third mocks and the Jim Caple mock there is no discrepancy. Some clearly think that, in the top four, it will be Conforto as the position player of choice instead of Jackson. Will Nola actually be taken ahead of Kolek?</p>
<table border="1" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Source</b></td>
<td><b>Twins Pick</b></td>
<td><b>Top Four Picks</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>March 9</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/2014-mlb-mock-draft-1-0/">MLB Draft Countdown (1.0)</a></td>
<td>Jeff Hoffman</td>
<td>Beede, Rodon, Kolek, Turner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>March 10</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/3/10/5485534/2014-mlb-mock-draft-version-1">Minor League Ball (1.0)</a></td>
<td>Tyler Kolek</td>
<td>Rodon, Hoffman, Gatewood, Beede</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>March 27</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2014/03/27/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0/">MLB Draft Countdown (2.0)</a></td>
<td>Jeff Hoffman</td>
<td>Beede, Rodon, Gordon, Kolek</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 9</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-mock-draft-track-record-lands-rodon-atop-first-mock/">Baseball America (1.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Rodon, Kolek, Aiken, Finnegan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 10</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-8-0-top-45-picks/42874">Through the Fence Baseball (8.0)</a></td>
<td>Tyler Kolek</td>
<td>Rodon, Gordon, Aiken, Beede</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 14</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mymlbdraft.com/MLB-Mock-Draft">My MLB Draft</a></td>
<td>Jeff Hoffman</td>
<td>Rodon, Kolek, Aiken, Beede</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 14</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://mlbdraftinsider.com/">MLB Draft Insider (4.0)</a></td>
<td>Alex Jackson</td>
<td>Aiken, Kolek, Rodon, Gordon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 16</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2014-draft-preview-rodon-remains-atop-mock-draft-2-0/">Baseball America (2.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Rodon, Jackson, Aiken, Freeland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 16</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=1&source=Keith-Law-Mock-Draft">Keith Law (1.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Jackson, Kolek, Rodon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 16</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/mock-draft-pitchers-aplenty-in-first-round?ymd=20140516&content_id=75655476&vkey=news_mlb">Jonathan Mayo (1.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Rodon, Kolek, Aiken, Jackson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 19</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/05/the-mock-volume-v-the-percentages-edition/">MLB Draft Insider (5.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Kolek, Rodon, Jackson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 19</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/5/19/5724288/2014-mlb-mock-draft-version-2">Minor League Ball (2.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Rodon, Kolek, Aiken, Jackson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 25</td>
<td><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2014-draft-preview-shakeup-atop-mock-draft-3-0/" target="_blank">Baseball America (3.0)</a></td>
<td>Tyler Kolek</td>
<td>Aiken, Jackson, Rodon, Pentecost</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 27</td>
<td><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=2&source=Keith-Law-Mock-Draft&refresh=true" target="_blank">Keith Law (2.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Rodon, Kolek, Conforto</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 28</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=9471&refresh=true">Jim Bowden</a></td>
<td>Kyle Freeland</td>
<td>Rodon, Aiken, Kolek, Jackson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 1</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mock-draft-4-separating-fact-from-fiction/">Baseball America (4.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Jackson, Kolek, Rodon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 2</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/mock-draft-brady-aiken-remains-no-1-choice-for-astros?ymd=20140602&content_id=77857076&vkey=news_mlb">Jim Callis</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Rodon, Kolek, Conforto</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 3</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=3&source=Keith-Law-Mock-Draft&refresh=true">Keith Law (3.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Rodon, Kolek, Conforto</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 3</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2F2014%2F06%2F03%2Fmlb-mock-draft-who-will-the-astros-take%2F9911633%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twinkietown.com%2F2014%2F5%2F17%2F5726256%2Fmlb-mock-draft-minnesota-twins" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">USA Today</a></td>
<td>Tyler Kolek</td>
<td>Aiken, Jackson, Rodon, Nola</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mock-draft-5-0-aiken-looks-like-no-1/" target="_blank">Baseball America (5.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Rodon, Kolek, Conforto</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 5</td>
<td><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=4&source=keith-law-mock-draft" target="_blank">Keith Law (4.0)</a></td>
<td>Nick Gordon</td>
<td>Aiken, Rodon, Nola, Conforto</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/5/17/5726256/mlb-mock-draft-minnesota-twinsJesse Lund2014-06-05T09:43:49-04:002014-06-05T09:43:49-04:00The Twins' Best 1st Round Draft Picks of All Time
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Fv015n47y-LfSRfLao9Dc7e046g=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33945967/495478239.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike McGinnis</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Did you know the Twins have made some great picks in the first round? It's true!</p> <p>Just like you can't always tell which of your first round picks will let you down and sometimes take the legs out from under your franchise, every once in a while you land a good player. Sometimes, even a great one. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/4/5780492/the-twins-worst-first-round-draft-picks-of-all-time">In counterpoint to last night's worst first round picks of all time</a> by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>, I present you with the best of the best.</p>
<h4>Right-Handed Pitcher: <span>Matt Garza</span> (#25 Overall, 2005)</h4>
<p>The two right-handers who had better careers than Garza (according to Baseball Reference), Tim Belcher and Dick Ruthven, didn't actually sign with the Twins. Belcher, as we know, refused to sign with Minnesota. Ruthven, meanwhile, chose not to go pro after high school and instead went to college and was drafted a few years later. Garza, meanwhile, has accumulated 19.0 fWAR in his career. Unfortunately, he was one of a number of mistakes the team made in Bill Smith's tenure.</p>
<p><b><i>Runner-Up: <span>Todd Ritchie</span>, I guess (#12 Overall, 1990)</i></b></p>
<h4>Left-Handed Pitcher: <span>Glen Perkins</span> (#22 Overall, 2004)</h4>
<p>Perkins is the biggest reason why the 2004 draft, which saw Minnesota with five picks between the first and first supplemental rounds, isn't a complete bust. <span>Trevor Plouffe</span> has an opportunity to make it a bit more palatable, but on his own Perkins has a chance to be one of the best closers in franchise history. He wants to be in Minnesota, and he wants to be a Twin. Those things help to push him into the top spot, because going purely on value the runner-up still tops him...barely.</p>
<p><b><i>Runner-Up: <span>Mark Redman</span> (#13 Overall, 1995)</i></b></p>
<h4>Catcher: <span>Joe Mauer</span> (#1 Overall, 2001)</h4>
<p>You know how you don't screw up the number one overall pick? By taking the best player at the position in franchise history, and one of the better-hitting catchers of all time.</p>
<p><b><i>Runner-Up: Jeff Reed? If we have to pick one? (#12 Overall, 1980)</i></b></p>
<h4>First Base: Scott Stahoviak (#27 Overall, 1991)</h4>
<p>Stahoviak was drafted as a third baseman but played first with the Twins - mostly from 1995 to 1997. In '96 he batted .284/.376/.469, and that's easy to forget because of the teams on which he played. But honestly, there was just nobody else to select. <span>Travis Lee</span> refused to sign with the Twins, Dave McCarty was a massive bust, and Hank Sanchez was a non-prospect. That's the list.</p>
<p><b><i>Runner-Up: Hank Sanchez, because at least he didn't give another team all his value and at least the team never considered him to be integral to their future (#39 Overall, 2005)</i></b></p>
<h4>Second Base: Chuck Knoblauch (#25 Overall, 1989)</h4>
<p>The only second baseman who was better than Knoblauch, in the history of the organization, is Rod Carew. Knobby was drafted as a shortstop but spent his time in Minnesota at second, winning Rookie of the Year, attending four All-Star games, winning two Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove to boot. In his career, he was worth 39.8 fWAR.</p>
<p><b><i>Runner-Up: <span>Todd Walker</span>, who is the only true second baseman ever drafted by the Twins in the first round (#8 Overall, 1994)</i></b></p>
<h4>Third Base: Gary Gaetti (#11 Overall, 1979 - Secondary Phase)</h4>
<p>It's a good thing we're counting any phase of the amateur draft, because there were no good third basemen ever drafted in the traditional Rule 4. Gaetti was integral in giving the Twins offense a real power threat in the early to late 80s, and was of course an integral member of the 1987 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> championship team. He's one of only seven Twins to ever hit more than 200 homers with the club.</p>
<p><b><i>Runner-Up: Trevor Plouffe (#20 Overall, 2004)</i></b></p>
<h4>Shortstop: Jay Bell (#8 Overall, 1984)</h4>
<p>After whiffing on five shortstops between 1970 and 1978, the Twins dipped their hands in once again in '84. They struck gold this time, with Bell being worth 37.9 fWAR in his career. But the Twins packaged him with Curt Wardle and Jim Weaver and sent him to Cleveland to get Bert Blyleven back. Nine years after Bert flipped off the crowd in his last start at the Met. Because the fans were idiots. Blyleven threw a three-run complete game and took the loss, but hey, don't let that stop idiot fans from being idiots. But hey, nine years later, the Twins realized their mistake and brought Blyleven back. It only cost them the best shortstop they ever drafted.</p>
<p><b><i>Runner-Up: Absolutely not.</i></b></p>
<h4>Outfield: Kirby Puckett (#3 Overall, 1982 - January Phase), <span>Torii Hunter</span> (#20 Overall, 1993), <span>Denard Span</span> (#20 Overall, 2002)</h4>
<p>The competition for the top three spots isn't particularly strong, although one of the runners-up may have an argument for the third spot. Kirby perhaps, like Gaetti, gets in on a default, simply because of the nature of these alternative draft phases that are no longer in existence. But it also seems unfair to exclude him, considering how rarely great players were found in January phase drafts.</p>
<p>Torii was the second coming of Puckett, or at least he tried to be. Rarely great but almost always good, it's actually Hunter who, according to bWAR, has provided the Twins with the most value as a first round draft pick in the regular June phase. His 49.0 bWAR tops Mauer (44.6) and Knoblauch (44.6), and only Kirby's 50.9 is technically higher in career value.</p>
<p>Finally there's Denard, who comes in seventh overall - and fourth if you only count players who actually played for the Twins. He's never lived up to the expectations set by his first couple of seasons in the Majors, but he's had a good career and continues to be a regular in Washington.</p>
<p><b><i>Runners-Up: <span>Michael Cuddyer</span> (#9 Overall, 1997), <span>Ben Revere</span> (#28 Overall, 2007), <span>Byron Buxton</span> (#2 Overall, 2012)</i></b></p>
https://www.twinkietown.com/2014/6/5/5782228/the-twins-best-first-round-draft-picks-of-all-timeJesse Lund