2012 Draft revisited
Checking in on the Twins' top five picks from last year's draft; they had two supplemental picks following the first round and one following the second:
1. Byron Buxton, OF, Class A Cedar Rapids: Batting .341 with seven homers and 41 RBI in 54 games. The adjustments have come faster than anyone expected after he hit .248 in two short-season leagues last year. What does it take to get promoted?
1a. Jose Berrios, RHP, Cedar Rapids: 4-3 with a 3.61 ERA. He has quality stuff and a good feel for pitching but has struggled with his command in his past two starts. Like Buxton, he's 19 and already in a full-season league.
1b. Luke Bard, RHP, extended spring training: Bard was drafted despite having a sore shoulder but recovered and pitched seven innings last season. Shoulder problems returned this year, but he has avoided surgery and has started a throwing program. Has a mid-90s fastball with a good, hard slider.
2. Mason Melotakis, LHP, Cedar Rapids: 5-2, 3.68 ERA. Probably would move faster through the system if he were a reliever, but the Twins are giving him a chance to start. As a reliever, he hit 97 mph on radar gun. As a starter, 92-94 mph with a developing changeup.
2a. J. T. Chargois, RHP, extended spring training: Was impressive at Elizabethton last year, posting a 1.69 ERA in 12 games (16 innings). But he came down with elbow problems this season and needed rehab. Now on a throwing program. Fastball has touched 97 mph.
La VELLE E. NEAL III
