Minnesota Twins: Prospects for the MLB Draft

The MLB Draft is coming to a television near you on June 5, and I bet nobody has any idea what will take place.

First of all, let's go through Minnesota's minor league system.

The Rochester Redwings are the Triple-A affiliate, and they are struggling as of late. The Twins raided the pitching staff late last year and early in 2008 by calling up Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, and Glen Perkins. All three should stay in Minneapolis, and probably won't be going back to Rochester anytime soon.

The bats of the Redwings are also struggling. Alexi Casilla, the heir apparent to former Twin Luis Castillo, was going through an extended cold streak before the Twins called him up to the big league. Third base prospect Brian Buscher also was having problems at the plate before being called up. When the major league team is extremely young, it basically means that your farm teams must not be very good.

The Double-A team of the Minnesota Twins is the New Britain Rock Cats. There are really no standouts on this team or the Single-A squad, the Fort Meyers Miracle.

I am going to break down a few choices the Twins may have on draft day. With the 14th overall selection in the 2008 MLB Draft, Minnesota selects:

Brandon Crawford, INF, UCLA

Crawford had an athletic upbringing. He was a safety and quarterback in high school, in addition to lettering three times in baseball as a shortstop. He was nominated the sixth-best high school prospect in Northern California. He also earned many honors for his baseball play.

After his high school career, he was voted the 38th best prospect in the 2005 MLB Draft by Baseball America. He opted for college, and attended the UCLA. He started all games as a freshman, and recorded a .318 batting average while leading the team in six offensive categories. Crawford earned the UCLA MVP award both his freshman and sophomore seasons. He is entering the draft as a junior.

Crawford is listed as 6-foot-2' and 200 pounds, and could be a potential power hitter. He would most likely go to either New Britain or Rochester right off the bat, no pun intended.

It is no secret that Minnesota has problems with the left side of its infield. There is really no long-term solution for both the third base and shortstop positions. Brian Buscher will probably end up with the third base job, and Crawford could be a potential candidate for the shortstop gig.

The Minnesota Twins could also address their need for pitching, both relief and starting.

Aaron Hicks, RF/RHP, Wilson HS, Long Beach, Calif.

Fresh out of high school, Hicks will require some time to develop in the minor leagues before he makes his major league debut. There also may be an issue of signability, as he may opt for college.

Hicks is ranked as the 14th best prospect available in the MLB Draft by ESPN's Keith Law.

Tyson Ross, RHP, California

Ross was phenomenal during his high school career, especially his senior year. During his 12th grade season at Bishop O'Dowd High School he went 12-1 with a 0.71 ERA and 130 strikeouts.

Ross is listed at 6-foot-6, but can only reach 92-93 mph because of an awkward delivery. He has great control, and has a couple of good plus pitches if he can develop his slider and change up.

Jacob Thompson, RHP, Virginia

Thompson was unanimously voted as a First Team All-American in 2007, as well as one of three finalists for the Roger Clemens award, given to the top pitcher in college baseball.

He will most likely be drafted before Minnesota gets on the clock, but could have an opportunity to draft Thompson if he fell in their laps at No. 14.

He isn't overpowering, but has a great breaking ball, and should fly though the minors and could potentially reach the Twins very quickly.

The MLB Draft will be on June 5, and will be televised on ESPN2. Be sure to tune in and see who Minnesota selects!