Twins Draft Report Card

Image credit: Outfielder Trevor Larnach of the Oregon State Beavers reacts after hitting a two run home run to give the Beavers a 5-3 lead in the ninth inning against the Arkansas Razorbacks during game two of the College World Series Championship Series. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Best Pure Hitter: OF Trevor Larnach (1) has hit everywhere he’s gone in his career from Oregon State to the Cape Cod League to pro ball. He is a patient hitter and does a good job of barreling up balls.

Best Power Hitter: Larnach has plus power that he this year finally tapped into after hitting five home runs in 139 games in his first two years of college between Oregon State and the Cape. Cs Ryan Jeffers (2) and Chris Williams (8) also have plus raw power.

Fastest Runner: OF DaShawn Keirsey (4) is a plus runner and he uses that speed well in the outfield. His speed has come all the way back after he broke and dislocated his hip as a sophomore in a collision with the outfield wall.

Best Defensive Player: Keirsey can fly around the outfield and profiles well in center field. Beyond his speed, he also has a strong arm.

Best Fastball: RHP Josh Winder (7) this spring mostly pitched 88-92 mph but has already seen his velocity tick up since signing. He made some adjustments and now throws his fastball 90-94, touching 96 mph, with improved life on the pitch.

Best Secondary Pitch: RHP Cole Sands (5) has turned his changeup into a strong offering that gives him a weapon against lefthanded hitters. Winder’s curveball is also an above-average secondary pitch.

Best Pro Debut: The Twins surprised some by taking Jeffers in the second round, but this summer he did his best to show why they did so. He crushed Appalachian League pitching and was promoted to low Class A Cedar Rapids and finished the summer with 17 doubles and seven home runs in 64 games.

Best Athlete: Keirsey stands out for his loud raw tools and athleticism. With his speed, power and arm strength he has the ability to impact the game in several ways.

Most Intriguing Background: OF Joe Garry (9) went from largely unknown to a ninth-round pick during his senior year. He last fall put himself on the radar with a strong performance in Jupiter and carried that into the spring, where his well-above average speed and athleticism stood out. He was coached in his youth league by former big leaguer Matt Lawton.

Closest To The Majors: Larnach this summer reached low Class A Cedar Rapids and is advanced enough to make quick work of the minor leagues. Jeffers’ debut suggests he could move quickly as well, but he may be slowed because he needs time to develop behind the plate.

Best Late-Round Pick: 2B Michael Helman (11) has plus speed and last season showed good feel for hitting at Texas A&M. 3B Michael Davis (24) got his pro career off to a strong start and hit nine home runs at Cedar Rapids. He may convert to catching where he would profile better, especially thanks to his well-above average arm strength.

The One Who Got Away: RHP Seth Halvorsen (30) this spring was the best prep player in Minnesota, but the Twins weren’t able to keep him close to home. Halvorsen instead opted to head to Missouri, where he has a chance to be a two-way player for the Tigers and is expected to quickly make an impact.