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Twins take Pudge’s son in sixth round
MINNEAPOLIS — When he was a kid and his father played for the Rangers, Ivan Rodriguez used to tell his dad he wanted to follow in his footsteps. On Tuesday, he got one step closer to that dream.
With the 208th pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the Minnesota Twins drafted center fielder Rodriguez — who goes by “Dereck.” He is the son of 1999 American League MVP and 14-time All-Star catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez of the Nationals.
The younger Rodriguez never took to catching like his father, instead finding himself in the outfield. Rodriguez attended Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami, Fla.
“We took a flier on him. He’s got good tools,” said Twins scouting director Deron Johnson. “He’s a totally different body than his dad. He’s about 6-2, 6-3, 185 [pounds]. So, he’s a tall, lean kid. He’s got really good tools. He can throw, he’s got raw power and he’s a solid runner.”
In a 2010 national showcase, Rodriguez was clocked at 95 mph on a throw from center field to home plate. He’s also tried his hand at pitching, where he has also reached the low-to-mid-90s on the radar gun, but prefers the outfield.
The Twins also prefer Rodriguez in the outfield, and Johnson said that while they’ll send him down as a center fielder, Rodriguez is likely to end up as a corner outfielder at the next level.
As for Rodriguez’s ability on the mound, Johnson said it was there, but they like his bat better.
“He can run it up to 92 we’ve seen,” Johnson said. “We like his bat, we think he’s got potential offensively.”
His father, who has played for the Rangers, Marlins, Tigers, Yankees, Astros and Nationals, was a part of the 2003 World Series champion Florida club. He has won 13 Gold Glove Awards, a record for catchers, and seven Silver Slugger Awards.
Before the Nationals’ game with the Giants in San Francisco on Tuesday, Pudge shared his thoughts.
“Very proud for him,” Pudge said. “He is a good kid. That was his dream when I started putting the glove and bat on his hands when he was a little kid. Just to see him come to the park when I was with the Rangers. He would be with me in the clubhouse. He told me that he wanted too be here one day.
“It’s a big day for him, a big day for me. Now he is getting ready to prepare, go to Spring Training, start working hard.”
Live coverage of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft resumes at 11 a.m. CT Wednesday on MLB.com, where fans will receive exclusive coverage of Day 3, featuring a live pick-by-pick stream, expert commentary and Draft Tracker, a live interactive application that includes a searchable database of every Draft-eligible player.
You can also keep up to date at Draft Central and by following @MLBDraft on Twitter. And get into the Draft conversation by tagging your tweets with #mlbdraft.
Twins pick high-ceiling prep arm in Boyd
Right-hander grew up near club’s Spring Training facility
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com
With the 55th pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the Twins selected Boyd, out of Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Fla. The pick was a compensatory selection that the Twins received after losing reliever Jesse Crain in free agency. The Twins also grabbed two hitters on the first day of the Draft — infielder Levi Michael from the University of North Carolina and third baseman Travis Harrison from from Tustin High School in Tustin, Calif.
The Twins project Boyd as either a starter or a dominant closer.
“We’re going to set him out as a starter,” said Twins scouting director Deron Johnson. “His low-end, we think he might be a Jonathan Broxton-type of guy. He’s got a good arm, up to 95. I saw him up to 97 when I saw him.”
The Twins did not have to go far to find Boyd, either.
Before transferring to Bishop Verot, Boyd pitched for South Fort Myers High School, which is right across the street from the Twins’ Spring Training facility.
“They were always in the backyard, so me and my buds, we would always sneak in and watch the Minor League Spring Training games because we didn’t have to pay for those tickets,” Boyd said. “We always saw them play, and I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about the Twins, so I couldn’t be happier to be drafted by this team.”
Boyd is committed to play for the University of Florida and said he would choose what he thought was best for himself and his family, whether that was signing with the Twins or pursuing a collegiate career with the Gators.
Live coverage of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft resumes at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday on MLB.com, where fans will receive exclusive coverage of Days 2 and 3, featuring a live pick-by-pick stream, expert commentary and Draft Tracker, a live interactive application that includes a searchable database of every Draft-eligible player.
You can also keep up to date at Draft Central and by following @MLBDraft on Twitter. And get into the Draft conversation by tagging your tweets with #mlbdraft.
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Twins grab prep slugger Harrison at No. 50
Club projects third baseman to one day hit in middle of order
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com
“Big, strong right-handed hitting third baseman,” said Twins scouting director Deron Johnson. “We really like his bat. He’s a big kid and right-handed power is really hard to get in the draft.”
Harrison, who was a 2011 Preseason Rawlings First-Team All-American, is committed to play for the University of Southern California and said he was unsure if he would sign with the Twins or pursue a collegiate career. He batted .486 with 13 home runs during his senior season.
While he can put on a show during batting practice with his power, Harrison considers himself more of a well-rounded hitter.
“I really see myself as an all-around hitter,” Harrison said. “I consider myself a power hitter, but I also consider myself a hitter for average.”
The question mark for Harrison is on defense. Johnson said he sees Harrison as either a left fielder or third baseman at the next level, with the former being more likely than the latter.
Harrison said he plans to continue working at third base until someone tells him to move to another position.
Regardless of where he fits on the diamond, the Twins think Harrison can eventually anchor the middle of their lineup.
“We’re buying a bat there,” Johnson said. “Buying a middle-of-the-lineup type bat. A potential four- or five-hole hitter.”
Live coverage of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft resumes at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday on MLB.com, where fans will receive exclusive coverage of Days 2 and 3, featuring a live pick-by-pick stream, expert commentary and Draft Tracker, a live interactive application that includes a searchable database of every Draft-eligible player.
You can also keep up to date at Draft Central and by following @MLBDraft on Twitter. And get into the Draft conversation by tagging your tweets with #mlbdraft.
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Twins select versatile Michael with first pick
MINNEAPOLIS — Levi Michael said he was “super surprised” to hear his name called.
When he did, it was because the Minnesota Twins selected the junior shortstop from the University of North Carolina, with the 30th pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.
“The wait, the anticipation was building up,” Michael said in a conference call with reporters after he was picked. “As soon as I heard I was picked by the Twins, it was a huge sigh of relief. I’m really excited about it and looking forward to it.”
Michael was the first college position player selected by the Twins in the first round of the draft since the club tabbed San Diego State first baseman Travis Lee with the second-overall pick in 1996.
The selection marks a departure for the Twins from their recent history of selecting college pitchers and high school athletes early in the draft. The Twins’ next two selections fell into line with that history — they grabbed prep third baseman Travis Harrison out of Tustin High School (Calif.) and right-hander Hudson Boyd from Bishop Verot High School (Fla.). But Michael gave them good reason to stray from that pattern.
“Picking No. 30, it’s just whomever is left,” said Twins scouting director Deron Johnson. “It was nice. Maybe we changed some things up. … Kept people guessing this year, I would guess.”
Michael has hit .309 in his three-year college career with the Tar Heels, collecting 43 doubles and 11 triples with 27 home runs and 159 RBIs. UNC is still alive in the postseason, having moved on to face Stanford in the NCAA Super Regional after sweeping the Chapel Hill regional. The Tar Heels will host the Cardinal on Friday at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in the first game of the best-of-three series.
Michael lifted the Tar Heels from their regional with a 9-3 win over James Madison University on Sunday. He snapped a 3-3 tie — as well as a personal 0-for-12 skid — when he doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.
A switch-hitter, Michael’s offensive production dipped a bit this season as he played through an ankle injury. He is hitting .297 for the season with five home runs, 14 doubles, three triples and a .444 on-base percentage. Michael led the Tar Heels in most offensive categories last season, when he hit .346 with a .480 OBP and 19 home runs. He hit 13 home runs during his freshman season, to go along with a .290 average.
While Michael has some speed as well as a middle infielder and stole 35 bases in 38 attempts over the past two seasons, Johnson said he is “not just some Punch-and-Judy hitter.”
While he was excited to be drafted by the Twins, Michael said his top focus right now is the Tar Heels’ next opponent, which stands between them and the College World Series.
“I’m looking forward to continuing and finishing out this season,” Michael said. “Hopefully we make it back to Omaha this year.”
Michael is a versatile infielder, having played second base as a freshman and third base as a sophomore before moving to shortstop this season.
He said that he is most comfortable playing one of the middle infield positions. The Twins’ plans for Michael fall in line with that. They like Michael’s defensive skills, especially his lateral quickness, range in both directions and his speed.
“At the least, in our minds, he’s got the ability to play second base as well,” Johnson said. “But we see him as an everyday guy, so he’s either going to play shortstop or second base.”
Live coverage of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft resumes at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday on MLB.com, where fans will receive exclusive coverage of Days 2 and 3, featuring a live pick-by-pick stream, expert commentary and Draft Tracker, a live interactive application that includes a searchable database of every Draft-eligible player.
You can also keep up to date at Draft Central and by following @MLBDraft on Twitter. And get into the Draft conversation by tagging your tweets with #mlbdraft.
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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