Minnesota Twins will reportedly pass on Hunter Greene with top pick in draft
By Tim Haberin
According to a report, the Minnesota Twins are likely to pass on high school superstar Hunter Greene with the top pick in next month’s draft.
Star high school pitcher Hunter Greene is one of the most highly-touted prospects entering the 2017 MLB Draft, with many prognosticators identifying him as the potential number-one pick. That first overall selection belongs to the Minnesota Twins, but according to a recent report, the club is expected to pass on the 17-year-old at the top of the draft.
Per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Twins will not pick Greene at number one, “barring a late change.” He points out that a high school right-hander has never been drafted first overall, and that will remain the case should Minnesota indeed go elsewhere with their pick.
Heyman says that the Twins’ likely candidates seem to be pitcher Kyle Wright of Vanderbilt, pitcher and first baseman Brendan McKay from Louisville, and high school shortstop Royce Lewis out of JSerra High School in California. Wright is viewed as the probable choice.
Greene has generated much attention of late with his recent cover story in Sports Illustrated. Lee Jenkins provided an in-depth profile of the teenager, highlighting his athletic prowess as well as his upbringing in the game of baseball.
If Greene does get past the Twins at number one, don’t expect him to fall far. The Reds and Padres have the second and third picks, respectively.
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Hailing from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, Greene has done plenty to excite scouts. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he already has a pro-ready frame and should only get stronger as he matures. Greene has impressed as both a pitcher and hitter, reaching 102 mph on the radar gun and belting balls well over 400 feet.
Call to the Pen’s own Benjamin Chase projected Greene to the Twins at number one overall in the first and fourth versions of his recent mock drafts. The youngster has been the consensus top draft prospect on many prominent lists, including Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
While it’s certainly possible the Twins may prefer a more polished college-level player, fans shouldn’t take anything for granted until the first round of the draft actually takes place on June 12. Minnesota had two scouts watch Greene throw a bullpen session last weekend, and the club’s interest has been rather apparent throughout the process.
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Could this report be a smokescreen or are the Twins actually prepared to turn away from the hype and fanfare surrounding Greene? Stay tuned.