The MLB Draft presents an opportunity for teams to shape their future by selecting players who can make a lasting impact. Unfortunately, since the current front office of Derek Falvey and Thad Levine took charge in late 2016, the Minnesota Twins have experienced mixed results with their draft picks. Like any team, they have had both successful and disappointing selections over the past seven years. Unlike drafts in other major sports leagues, baseball’s draft typically does not yield immediate results at the highest level, requiring patience as players progress through the farm system. With sufficient time passed under Falvey and Levine’s leadership, it’s now prudent to examine closely the impact of their draft choices.
The MLB Draft holds significant importance for all teams, offering the chance to acquire future stars and enhance organizational depth. Recent drafts for the Twins have showcased promising talent but also included picks that did not meet expectations. Since 2017, several of the Twins’ selections have turned out differently than anticipated, influencing both the team’s roster and its depth throughout the organization.
2019 MLB Draft: 2nd Round Pick (54th Overall)
Canterino has not played professionally since 2022 and started the 2024 season on the injured list due to a right subscapularis strain. His absence in 2023 was due to recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in August 2022.
K strut? Matt Canterino does a K sprint.#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/M1WUEvM0d9
— Tom Froemming (@TFTwins) May 22, 2021
Despite these challenges, the Twins showed confidence in his recovery by including him on the 40-man roster for the 2023 season, and they have retained him despite his injury setbacks. Canterino has demonstrated exceptional performance when healthy, with impressive statistics such as a 1.91 ERA and 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Therefore, his return to full health is crucial for him to contribute effectively at the higher levels of minor league baseball.
2017 MLB Draft: 2nd Round Pick (37th Overall)
Leach may not be a recognizable name among Twins supporters. He was part of the inaugural draft class under the current management but reached only Low-A within the Twins’ system.
Injuries limited his time with the Twins to just 24 appearances, and he was released after the 2021 season. During his tenure, he recorded a 4.39 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP over 69 2/3 innings. Moving to the Braves in 2022, he appeared in 17 games before opting for free agency. Among the players listed, he is the sole individual who has exited professional baseball, never advancing beyond High-A level.
2022 MLB Draft: 2nd Round Pick (48th Overall)
The Twins understood the risks involved when they drafted Prielipp. In his sophomore year, he was considered a potential top-10 pick in the MLB Draft but fell to the second round due to undergoing Tommy John surgery while playing for the University of Alabama. His tenure with the Twins has been restricted to just two outings, as he underwent a second UCL surgery last summer. When he’s been healthy, Prielipp has impressed scouts and the Twins’ management with his fastball-slider combination. Despite his setbacks, he still holds potential to make an impact on the major league roster. However, concerns about his arm have persisted since his amateur days.
2020 MLB Draft: 1st Round Pick (27th Overall)
The 2020 MLB Draft presented unique challenges due to the pandemic’s impact on high school and college seasons. In hindsight, the first round of this draft has been tumultuous, with several teams struggling to identify promising talent. Among the top six picks, three players have registered negative WAR in their major league careers. Spencer Torkelson, the top overall pick, notably holds a -1.7 WAR.
All He Needs Is One Pitch!
Aaron Sabato smacks a no-doubt walk-off three-run home run.
Final/11
RockHounds: 3
Wind Surge: 6 pic.twitter.com/v3qJzZcPnr— Wichita Wind Surge (@WindSurgeICT) June 16, 2024
Sabato was viewed skeptically by many evaluators as a first-round selection due to concerns about his defensive abilities. His path to justifying his draft position relied heavily on generating significant power numbers in the minor leagues. Over four professional seasons, Sabato has achieved a .776 OPS but has struck out more than 30% of the time. While he has shown glimpses of impressive power, his struggles with making consistent contact have prevented him from ascending to top prospect status.
2019 MLB Draft: 1st Round Pick (13th Overall)
Cavaco stood out heading into the 2019 MLB Draft due to his unique trajectory as a late bloomer. He hadn’t garnered much attention from scouts during the summer showcase circuits leading up to his senior season, limiting opportunities for teams to evaluate him against top-tier competition. Despite being seen by some as potentially possessing five-tool talent, he has struggled to demonstrate these skills since joining the Twins. Initially playing at shortstop, he has since transitioned through third base and finally settled at first base on the defensive spectrum. Offensively, his performance was underwhelming with a batting line of .212/.267/.335 over parts of five seasons, marked by minimal power and a high strikeout rate. His release by the Twins on Monday has placed his future in affiliated baseball in jeopardy and solidified his status as the biggest disappointment among recent draft picks under the current regime.
The decision to draft Cavaco is further scrutinized given the success of players selected shortly after him. Bryson Stott (7.1 WAR), Corbin Carroll (7.0 WAR), and George Kirby (6.4 WAR), all chosen within the next seven picks, have become established MLB regulars. While second-guessing draft picks is common among fans, seeing these players thrive contrasts starkly with Cavaco’s departure from the Twins.
Since 2017, the Minnesota Twins’ draft history has been marked by challenges in developing their selections into impactful major leaguers. From high-profile picks like Cavaco and Sabato to promising pitchers such as Canterino and Prielipp, the organization has faced difficulties translating draft potential into on-field success. These experiences underscore the uncertainties inherent in the MLB Draft, where even top prospects can encounter unforeseen obstacles on their path to professional achievement. While setbacks are inevitable in any draft process, reflecting on past choices can aid the Twins in making more informed decisions and laying a stronger foundation for sustained success in Major League Baseball’s competitive environment.
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