Reactions by the Twins 2010 draftees

The last three days I have been live blogging the Twins' picks of the 2010 MLB draft and have been presenting profiles of each drafted player, along with scouting reports and videos of the draftees. Here, I am attempting to summarize the reactions of the draftees on their local press. These early reactions both by the local press and the draftees will give clues about their sign-ability, especially regarding later round picks who are college Juniors, community college and high school players.

In draft pick order:

1. Alex Wimmers ,RHP, Ohio State: He was quoted in Springfield News and Sun, saying that he "feels like the Twins picked a great player in him and feels like hes fit the organization extremely well. He is just extremely excited to get the opportunity to pitch for the Twins.". His father, Jim Wimmers was quoted by the Columbus Dispatch, saying that "this is a dream coming true" for his son.



2. Niko Goodrum, SS, Fayette County HS, Fayetteville, GA. Goodrum was quoted by the Fayette County news, saying: "I've been getting phone calls non-stop. It's a great feeling. I didn't think it was going to be the Twins that drafted me, but I'm happy." Also quoted by MLB.com, saying "pro ball all the way", suggesting that he will likely sign.



3. Pat Dean, LHP, Boston College. The American Chronicle suggests that Pat "said he expects to sign a contract and report to the Twins.". The Boston Herald quotes Pat, saying: "“Absolutely it’s incredible. It’s an excellent organization and I couldn’t ask for a better organization."



4. Eddie Rosario, OF,Rafael Lopez Landron HS, Guayama, PR. At this time, there are no news reports with reactions of Eddie Rosario or his family



5. Nate Roberts OF, High Point University, NC. The Northwest Herald quotes Nate saying: “I thought it was going to be the Cubs or the Twins who drafted me. The Twins were the team I was hoping I would get drafted by.”



6. Logan Darnell, LHP, Kentucky. A press release from the University of Kentucky. MLB.com quotes Logan, saying that he is excited and the fact that his teammate from Kentuky, Lance Ray, was also drafted by the Twins, will "make the transition easier"



7. Matt Hauser, RHP, Univesity of California San Diego. The Daily Pilot reports that he "is now a Twins fan because they are allowing him to continue his baseball career." also he was quoted being surprised that he was taken that early, saying: "I thought I was going to go anywhere from the 15th round to the 25th."



8. Lance Ray, OF.Kentucky. A press release from the University of Kentucky. The Record Courrier quotes Ray saying that he "will likely either sign with the Twins and head for the minor leagues, or play summer ball in the Cape Cod League and return to Kentucky for his senior year. Either way, it's so exciting.”



9. Kyle Knudson, C , Minnesota. Knudson was quoted by MLB.com, saying: "I've been a Twins fan my whole life, so it's great. It's definitely something I've dreamed of since I was little. I'm just excited to get the opportunity to play for them." . American Chronicle has an interview with Kyle.



10. J.D. Williams, SS, Brooks-DeBartolo HS, Tampa FL. Son of former MLB player Reggie Williams, drafted the same day as his brother, Reggie Jr. His farher, Reggie, Sr. was quoted by St. Petersburg Times, saying: "That's really exciting, man. Everyone wants to get drafted in the first round, but I've told my boys now they've got to show they were worthy of getting drafted in the 10th round and prove they should have been drafted nine rounds higher. It's a great honor. You can't take it for granted." JD has committed to Maryland where he was going to play second base and bat lead off.



11. Tyler Kuresa, 1B, Oakmont HS, Roseville, CA. Kuresa has a scholarship at the University of Oregon. The Roseville Press Tribune has an excellent article with several quotes from Kuresa. The summary is that he is excited to be selected by the Twins, the Twins had informed him that they will pick him in the second round and that he expects,2nd round bonus ($500,000), otherwise we will go to College.



12. Steven Maxwell, RHP,Texas Christian University. At this time there are no news of Maxwell's reaction to the pick. He is a redshirt junior.



13. Ryan O'Rourke,LHP, Merrimack College, MA. The Eagle-Tribune quotes Ryan saying: "All the hard work has finally given me the dream that all kids try to achieve. I couldn't be happier to be a Twin and hope to work even harder once I get there." The News Telegram quotes him saying: "I’m thrilled, so happy to be with the Twins’ organization.”



14. DeAndre SmelterRHP,Tattnall Square Academy, Macon, GA. DeAndre has been characterized as a difficult pick to sign, by most media. He has a commitment to Georgia Tech, and the Twins' front office has been suggesting that because he is a 2-sport athlete, they could spread the signing bonus over 5 years, like they did with Joe Mauer. The Macon Telegraph quotes DeAndre saying "honestly, I have no clue about the timetable of the decision



15. Thomas Girdwood, RHP, Elon, NC. No past draft reaction by the Junior, but pre-draft, the Times News quotes him saying that "a top ten (round) selection, is the goal.



16. Clint Dempster LHP,Nicholls State, LA. No reaction, but Dempster is a Junior and he did not sign with the Mariners after being drafted in the 31st round of the 2009 draft out of his Junior College.



17. Devin Grigg, RHP, Cal State East Bay. He is a Senior. No reaction by Devin, but his coach was quoted saying: "This is a great opportunity for Devin. To become a major league player is something Devin always wanted to do. He is very athletic and fits the baseball profile."



18. David Gutierrez, RHP, Miami. Borther of Carlos Gutierrez, currently with the New Britain Rock Cats. Did not sign when drafted by the Twins in 2009, but currently a Senior. No reaction to the draft by David.
    
    
19. Matt ArguelloLHP, Davidson HS, Mobile, AL. Committed to South Alabama. Alabama Press-Register quotes Matt saying that he's unsure what the future holds and he has no timetable for determining whether he'll turn pro. Twins officials plan to watch him play in summer tournaments to better determine how much of a signing bonus to offer.



20. Cody MartinRHP, Gonzaga. He is a Junior. No reaction yet, just a press release by Gonzaga.



21. Nathan Fawbush, RHP, Georgia Perimeter JC,. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is talking about his destination being Elizabethton. Looks like he will sign.



22. Dillon Moyer, SS, Pendleton School, Bradenton, FL. The Philadelphia Daily News quotes Jaime Moyer's son saying on whether he will sign with the Twins or attend UC Irvine: "We'll see, it depends on a lot of things." An interesting article from the Philadelphia Inquirer, with Jamie Moyer's reactions to his son's drafting.



23. Dallas Gallant, RHP, Sam Houston State ,TX. The Huntsville Item quotes Gallant (a Junior) saying: “This is really a great opportunity for me. (Signing) depends on the offer they give me. They said that they were going to send me a contract in the mail and once we get it, we will go with it from there. It’s exciting looking forward. If it happens, then it happens. If not, I’ll come back and try again next year..



24. Mike Quesada, C, Sierra Junior College, CA. No reaction yet to the selection



25. Andy Leer, SS, Mary University, ND. The Greenwich Times report that he will travel to Ft. Myers next week for workouts with other Twins' draftees. He is a Senior, so he is expected to sign.



26. Kelly Cross, C, Pearland HS, TX. No reaction yet to the selection.



27. Brandon Henderson, OF , Fresno Community College. No reaction yet to the selection



28. Jamaal Hawkins, SS, Jacksonville University. No reaction yet to the selection by the Junior



29. Brian Burke, 3B , Lewis-Clark State, ID. No reaction yet to the selection



30. Sergio Perez (Dernal), SS,Palmetto Ridge HS, Orangetree, FL. Naples News quotes Perez saying: "“It was surprising, but at the same time it was amazing. It’s just unbelievable. I’m trying to stay humble.” Also it suggest that the Cuban-born shortstop will try to negotiate a contract with the Twins and if that doesn’t work out, he’ll choose a college. “It’s my dream to play pro ball, so we’ll see what happens in the next few days. “I’m 50-50 right now.”



31. Mark Payton, OF , St.Rita HS, Chicago, IL. Committed to Arizona State. The Southtown Star says that Payton hasn't decided whether to bypass a college career at Arizona State in favor of a pro one just yet. He'll sit down with a Twins representative at some time next week.



32. Tommy Toledo, RHP, Florida. A redshirt Sophomore. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Twins will follow him this summer in the Cape Cod league and then determine whether they will sign him.



33. Justin Parker, LHP, Consumnes River Junior College, CA. No reaction to the selection yet.



34. Kyle Necke, RHP, UC Irvine. No reactions yet, but he is a Senior and very likely to sign

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35. Nick Alloway RHP ,Gloucester Community College, NJ. The South Jersey Courier Post quotes Nick saying: "Once I didn't get drafted (Tuesday), I tried to go to sleep because I was looking at another long day ahead. Luckily it wasn't that long. I don't mind where I got picked. I heard a couple of things that I'd be taken in earlier rounds, but I'm satisfied. It was more like a feeling of disbelief when I heard the pick. An opportunity is there. I just have to work harder. This is where it all starts and I know nothing comes easy. I'm looking forward to working hard and showing the organization what I have. This is definitely something I want."



36. Kelvin Mention, OF, Brooks-DeBartolo HS, Tampa FL. No reaction yet from the teammate of JD Williams who was drafted in the 10th round.



37. Grant Muncrief, RHP , Wichita State. The Farmington Daily Times indicates that he will be on summer watch with the organization before the two sides negotiate a contract.
    
    
38. Jared Ray, RHP, Houston. No reactions yet by the Junior, but he sat out all 2010 season following shoulder surgery.



39. Bart Carter, LHP, Western Kentucky. No reactions yet, but he is a Senior and very likely to sign



40. Vance Woodruff, RHP, Grayson Community College, TX. No reactions yet.
    
    
41. Sam Spangler, LHP, Hawaii. No reactions yet, but he is a Senior and very likely to sign



42. Brett Carroll, LHP, William Patterson University, NJ. North Jersey.com indicates that Brett, a Junior, is expected to sign and quotes him saying: "I had a tryout with the Twins at River Dell a couple of weeks ago. I was hoping, but not expecting. They made no promises, but they said I’d be on their radar."



43. Derek Christensen, RHP , Salt Lake Community College, UT. Committed to Utah. No reactions yet.
    
    
44. David Deminsky, LHP, St. Cloud University. The St Cloud Times quote Dave saying: "I had mixed feelings when I found out. I didn’t think I was going to be picked up. Right now I’m just honored to have this opportunity. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’ve always wanted to play for the Twins. It’s always been a dream of mine. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to make it up here. It will take a lot of hard work.”



45. James Buckelew, LHP, Collins Hills HS, Suwanee, GA. No reactions yet.
    
    
46. A.J. Achter, RHP, Michigan State. He is a Junior. No reactions yet.
    
    
47. Collin Reynolds, RHP, McLennan Community College, TX. Committed to University of Texas-Arlington and very likely will attend. No reactions yet.



48. Troy Scott, 1B, Washington. Junior. No reactions yet, but a very bad Junior season
    
    
49. LeAndre (Clarence) Davis, SS, Georgia Perimeter Junior College. No reactions yet, but lost his starting SS job. Also drafted by the Twins in the 13th round in 2009.
    
    
50. James Harris, 3B, Etowah HS, Woodstock, GA. No reaction yet.