Sunday, May 19, 2013

25 Minnesota Twins Drafts in 25 Days: 1995


1995 was right smack dab in the middle of the Twins' glory years.  Wait, gory years.  Gory.  In 1994, the Twins added two more pieces to the proverbial puzzle that they probably couldn't say with any confidence they were putting together.  You know how some people are so good at puzzles that they put them together backwards?  No?

Would 1995 bring the same good fortunes?  I can say with certainty that 1995 would introduce the Twins to a future fan-favorite who could pick it at first and would eventually become a coach in A ball.

Foreshadowing!

1st Round Pick

Mark Redman was selected 13th overall out of the University of Oklahoma.  He spent a long time simmering in the minor leagues, before making his MLB debut in 1999.  He was not great.  Eventually, the Twins traded Redman for Todd Jones and Todd Jones' mustache.  Redman went on to have some marginal success on the 2003 Florida Marlins World Series winning team.  I'm not sure that was the plan when the Twins drafted him.

Ah, but what if? 

Well, this depends.  Roy Halladay was selected 17th, just a few picks later.  Halladay is still pitching and is widely considered one of the best pitchers from the past decade.  He has over 200 wins and Redman ended his career with a 68-85 record and an ERA near 5.  So, if you prefer gaudy stats and personal success to whatever Mark Redman provided, this might be a decent what if scenario.  On the other hand, Halladay is currently injured, and Redman might not be.  Take that, Halladay!

Best Player Drafted

The Twins drafted Doug Mientkiewicz in the fifth round.  He was the player I alluded to earlier, if you didn't put that together yet.  Nicknamed "Dougie Baseball" because no one wanted to spell his name, Mientadkdkeitstz went on to have a pretty decent career with the Twins.  Eventually, he was unwanted because the Twins had Justin Morneau waiting in the wings.  He went on to record the final out of the 2004 World Series, single-handedly ending their nearly 100-year title drought. 

Worst Player to Reach MLB

Mike Moriarty, who I am guessing went by "Mort."  Moriarty was a 7th-round selection who finally made the Majors in 2002 with the Baltimore Orioles.  He was well worth the wait, as he recorded a .188/.188/.250 line in 16 plate appearances.  I am guessing he was still very psyched. 

The One Who Got Away

The Twins drafted A.J. Hinch in the 3rd round and he didn't sign.  That monster!  He was then drafted in the same round the following season, this time by the Oakland A's.  He signed with them.  Monster!  Oh, he was pretty terrible, so whatever A.J., I hope you enjoyed your time in beautiful Oakland. 

Best Name

In the 51st round, the Twins drafted Selection Voided.  This is probably the oddest name I have come across so far. 

Fun Facts
  • Mike Brunet was drafted in the 52nd round out of Land O'Lakes High School in Land O'Lakes, Florida.  He was a lefty, but didn't make it to the Bigs due to butterfingers. 
  • A.J. Hinch went to Stanford, but was still too stupid to parlay his holdout into a better draft position. 
  • Robert Ramsay was drafted in the 13th round and did not sign.  He was then drafted in the 7th round the following year.  Hear that A.J.?  That's how you do it.  You should have consulted with Robert Ramsay instead of your snooty Stanford buddies.  Tell Tiger Woods I said Hi. 
  • The Twins drafted Toby Wilmot in the 45th round, which gives me an opening to stress just how important the Wilmot Proviso was in American history.  It was one of the more poignant events in galvanizing the South against the North, prior to the Civil War.  David Wilmot tried to slide it in as a rider on an appropriations bill, that sly dog.  Ultimately, it did not pass. I think Toby is David's great-great-great-grandson, but I have no proof or reason to believe that. 

All those drafted who made it to the Bigs

Doug Mientkiewicz, Mark Redman, Robert Ramsay, Jeff Harris, Mike Moriarty, and A.J. Hinch

One Sentence Summary

Doug Mientkiewicz's name barely fit on his jersey.

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