Twins Select Two More in First Round

Live Draft Updates

The Twins drafted Levi Michael, a shortstop from the University of North Carolina believed to be the college position player closest to being ready for the big leagues, with the 30^th pick in the first round. But they didn’t stop there. The Twins had two more picks in the supplemental first round, compensation for losing Orlando Hudson and Jesse Crain via free agency.

With the 50^th overall selection, the Twins drafted Travis Harrison, a high school third baseman from California. He is committed to USC, but I’m sure a little money could convince him to forgo that opportunity. At 6-2 and 215 pounds, he is a power hitter. He was a preseason high school All-American and during the season, he hit 13 home runs. He was up and down during the season which may have dropped him down the draft to some degree. But when a guy has that kind of power potential, it’s never a bad pick.

Soon after, the Twins used the 55^th overall pick to take Hudson Boyd, a stocky, right-handed pitcher from Ft. Myers. He is committed to the University of Florida, but he could see the Twins training facility location as a good reason (along with the near-million dollar signing bonus he would get) to sign with the Twins. He is about 6-3 and 235 pounds, not exactly what you would call projectable at this point. In his analysis, mlb.com’s Jonathan Mayo said that he may end up as a reliever. He already throws into the mid-90s, so that is a positive. The Twins, as any smart team would, will have him work as a starter first.

No, I’m not going to bash any of their picks. The reality, as we have said here for years, is that we won’t be able to judge this draft for six to eight years, maybe longer. What looks like a questionable pick now may prove to be great, and what people think might be a great pick may prove not to be.

The Twins will make their 2^nd through 30^th picks today, and then tomorrow they will make their final 20 picks. You can find a little information on each pick they make here at SethSpeaks.net, so be sure to check back throughout the day for more. Here will be the Twins draft tracker with minimal thoughts:

· 1 – Levi Mitchell (30) – SS – U. of North Carolina

· 1s – Travis Harrison (50) – 3B from Tustin, CA (HS)

· 1s – Hudson Boyd (55) – RHP from Ft. Myers (HS)

· 2 – Madison Boer (87) – RHP from U. of Oregon – Eden Prairie native, good athlete.

· 3 – Corey Williams (117) – LHP from Vanderbilt U.-

§ From John Manuel of Baseball America (via Twitter) – “Ooh, #Twins take a tough sign in LHP Corey Williams, power reliever this year, redshirt soph., highest ERA on Vandy staff but touched 94-95”

§ From Jordan Schelling: Corey Williams had his knee cap shattered by a line drive last April. Got up, made throw to first.

· 4 – Matthew Summers (148) – RHP from UC-Irvine (drafted in 43^rd round by Yankees… was an OF, so arm may be fresh (via Jonathan Mayo).)

· 5 – Tyler Grimes (178) – SS – Wichita State –

· 6 – Ivan Rodriguez (208) – CF – High school in Florida – Yes, the Hall of Fame catcher’s son.

· 7 – Steven Gruver (238) – LHP University of Tennessee – It’s one of those names that just isn’t good for a pitcher. Like Balfour. Or Homer.

· 8 – Jason Wheeler (268) – LHP – Loyola Marymount

· 9 – Nick Bryant (298) – SS - Troy University

· 10 – Brett Lee (328) – LHP – St. Petersburg JC

· 11 – Tyler Jones (358) – RHP - LSU

· 12 – Matthew Koch (388) – C – Loyola Marymount

· 13 – Steven Evans (418) – LHP – Liberty University

· 14 – Adam McCreery (448) – LHP from California

· 15 – Josue Montanez (478) – LHP from Miami-Dade CC

· 16 – Austin Malinowski (508) – LHP - from Centennial High School in Lino Lakes, MN.

· 17 – Josh Burris (538) – RHP – from LSU-Eunice

· 18 – Corey Kimes (568) – LHP – from U of Illinois

· 19 – Tyler Koelling (598) – CF – from U. of Southern Mississippi

· 20 – Brian Anderson (628) – SS – from Deer Creek (OK) HS

· 21 – Michael Howard (658) – LHP – from Prescott (AZ) HS

· 22 – James Ramsey (688) – RF – from Florida State U.

· 23 – Timothy Shibuya (718) – RHP – from UC-San Diego

· 24 – Nick Burdi (748) – RHP – from Downers Grove South (HS) in Illinois

· 25 – AJ Petterson (778) – SS – from the University of Minnesota

· 26 – Trent Higginbothom (808) – RHP – from Clay Chalkville (AL) HS

· 27 – Chris Mazza (838) – RHP – from Menlo College

· 28 – David Hurlbut (868) – LHP – from Cal State – Fullerton

· 29 – Derek Thompson (898) – LHP – from Teutopolis (IL) HS

· 30 – William Clinard (928) – RHP – from Vanderbilt U.

· 31 – Garrett Jewell (958) – RHP – from Southern New Hampshire U

· 32 – Dylan Chavez (988) – LHP – from American River College

· 33 – Stephen Wickens (1018) – SS – from Florida Gulf Coast U

· 34 – Ryan Tella (1048) – CF – from Ohlone College

· 35 – Philip Chapman (1078) – C – from the University of Memphis

· 36 – Austin Barrois (1108) – OF – from Belle Chasse HS in LA

· 37 – Andrew Leachman (1138) – LF – from Birmingham Southern

· 38 – Alexander Keudell (1168) – RHP – from U of Oregon

· 39 – Edwin McCord (1198) – RHP – from Spanish Fort HS in AL

· 40 – Kyle Barraclough (1228) – RHP – from St. Marys College (CA)

· 41 – TJ Oakes (1258) – RHP – from U of Minnesota

· 42 – Matthew Tomshaw (1288) – LHP – from Jacksonville U.

· 43 – Robert O’Neill (1318) – RHP – from Biola University

· 44 – Cole Johnson (1348) – RHP – from Notre Dame

· 45 – Julio Torres (1378) – 2B – from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

· 46 – Jared Dettmann (1408) – LHP – from Somerset HS in Wisconsin

· 47 – John Hochstatter (1438) – LHP – from San Ramon Valley HS (CA)

· 48 – Garret Peterson (1468) – RHP – from Du Bois Area HS (PA)

· 49 – Drake Roberts (1498) - 2B – from Brenham HS (TX)

· 50 – Bryan Burgher (1527) – RHP – from Emerald Ridge HS (WA)

Any thoughts on the picks, please feel free to comment.

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