25 Minnesota Twins Drafts in 25 Days: 2005

In the 2004 draft, the Twins had picks a'plenty.  The 2005 draft was a little more subdued, a little more chill.  However, that all changed when the Twins made their first selection.  Subdued, chill, calm, these are not words used to describe the player who the Twins would take with their first first-round pick.  In fact, no more teasing, although I think you all know who I allude to.

1st Round Picks

The Twins selected Matt Garza with the 25th overall pick, with the plan all along to trade him for a roly-poly outfielder one day.  That's probably not true.  I still remember Garza's MLB debut.  He was so amped up and there was a lot of energy in the stands.  His fastball looked electric and I thought I was watching the next big thing.  Sadly, Garza was not long for Minnesota.  He was traded after just 24 starts with the Twins.  Boo.

The Twins' other first-round selection was Hank Sanchez, a high school first baseman who couldn't hit.  Fun.  They received this pick (and a second-round pick used on Paul Kelly) for losing Corey Koskie to the Blue Jays. 

Ah, but what if? 

Garza was an outstanding pick, so I refuse to specularte.  However, three picks after Sanchez, the Red Sox picked Clay Buchholz.  Imagine the underachieving outfielder the Twins could have traded for him!  I'm not really bitter about the Garza-Young trade, I swear.  I liked Delmon Young for the first couple seasons and I liked the trade when it was made.  The Twins had pitching and needed hitting.  It was simple.  It's just way too much fun to make fun of Delmon Young.  I'm sorry, I won't apologize for that.  Except, I just did and I do apologize for that.

Best Player Drafted

Garza, who has a career ERA+ of 108.  Garza is borderline crazy though.  I prefer a more subdued, intellectual approach to pitching.  That is why I am giving an honorary "best player" distinction to Twins' second-round pick Kevin Slowey. 

Slowey was apparently equally hated in the clubhouse and in the press box.  That combo makes me like him even more.  Stick it to them all, Kevin!  Slowey has revived his career a bit in Miami (which you already know if you read this blog) and I think it is just a matter of time before he becomes the next Greg Maddux. 

Worst Player to Reach MLB

If you read my 2004 recap, you know that Rene Tosoni was "the one who got away" in 2004.  Well, he's back and he was terrible!  Tosoni was Canadian and handsome, so he's got something there.  However, he wasn't all that good as a Twin.  His 70 OPS+ is below average.  Whatever, he's still kicking around and could still raise his career WAR above -0.9.

The One Who Got Away

The Twins drafted Yonder Alonso in the 16th round.  Back in 2005, Alonso was a high school catcher.  Alonso is a first baseman now, but has proved to be a good hitter with the Reds and Padres.  He's probably not a star, but he would have been an excellent get with a 16th round pick. 

Best Name

Denver Wynn in the 46th round.

Fun Facts

• The Twins drafted Toby Gardenhire again, this time in the 41st round.  As Ron Gardenhire's son, he is the heir to the Twins' secret fortune.  I've said too much.
• The Twins drafted Brian Duensing in the 3rd round with a pick they received as compensation for losing Christian Guzman to the Nationals.  This pretty much proves that all players lead to compensation.
• The Twins also received a second second-round compensation pick for losing Henry Blanco as a free agent.  What is going on here?  They used that pick on Drew Thompson.  Ball don't lie.
• The Brewers ate a sandwich that the Twins left in the visiting clubhouse.  The Twins received a 4th round compensation pick for the sandwich.
• The Twins used their 12th-round pick on Alex Burnett.  Burnett looked promising once upon a time, but now has been released roughly 1200 times this season.  He's still only 25.
• Kevin Slowey was Framed! Don't ever forget that.

All those drafted who made it to the Bigs

Matt Garza, Kevin Slowey, Brian Duensing, Yonder Alonso, David Herndon, Steven Tolleson, Alex Burnett, and Rene Tosoni

One Sentence Summary

Not a lot remains from the 2005 draft, but the volume of players who reached the Majors is impressive.

Link to the Twins' 2005 draft from Baseball Reference