Comments on: UNC shortstop Levi Michael leads Twins’ against-type first-round picks

By: neil

neil — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:06:39 +0000

Hey, “Sports Stuff” is back; thanks!

By: neil

neil — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:34:45 +0000

What happened to the “Sports Stuff” column of links? Your blog was my preferred hub to the entire world of sports blogging!

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:58:21 +0000

I like the Michael pick a lot, and I’m ok with the Harrison risk, but I’m less excited about Boyd. HS pitchers always make me nervous, no matter how good their fastball looks. Conceptually, I’m happy to see them add a power arm to their prospects, I just wish it wasn’t an 18 year-old kid.

But so far, a solid draft.

By: Steve L.

Steve L. — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:52:53 +0000

I also was very pleasantly surprised by the Twins 1st day draft. After Nimmo and Wong left the board the player I kept coming back to who I thought would be the best pick if there was Levi Michael. Twins have done enough “polished-college-low ceiling” pitcher drafting in the past 5 years that they didn’t need to go that route again, and that’s what was left at that position by their pick. They need Middle-Infielders who can reach the bigs quicker than most, and Michael fits that train of thought.

Harrison pick surprised me, but in a good way. Interesting quote on him in this scouting report (about his history alongside Bryce Harper): http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5539, hopefully they get him signed.

Don’t know much about Boyd outside of his size and velocity, but a HS-arm with upside is something the Twins need more of.

By: TMW

TMW — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:49:34 +0000

If we’re talking need, the 2012 Twins look like they’re going to feature Denard Span and Ben Revere in the outfield. I don’t do my homework on the amateurs, but were there no 3-outcome right-handed mashing tree trunks out of college the Twins could put in RF?

By: mike wants WINS

mike wants WINS — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:43:56 +0000

I will join the chorus of the surprised. There was a quite a run on college arms before they picked, though. One of the ESPN commenters thought it would take about 2 years for him to be ready. That seems really fast for a Twins’ prospect.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:29:34 +0000

Another thing about batting averages in college comparing ’10 to ’11 is that they changed the bats and hitters across the nation have been griping while pitchers have been loving it. So while hitting .297 in past years may have put you below average, it looks a lot better this year with the new bats.

BTW I love reading your blog. I’m from Omaha (grandparents live in MN so I adopted the Twins when I was young) so assuming UNC makes the CWS, I’ll make an effort to watch Michael live.

By: Twinstalker

Twinstalker — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:40:04 +0000

I was surprised, too, and also very happy when they took Michael. I was intrigued to see if they’d take Norris, BA’s 16th (?) rated prospect, but Michael was the best pick. Finally. I’m crossing the fingers for a Dustin Pedroia-type journey, but I suppose the Twins will “re-teach” him how to hit.