The Minnesota Twins have selected California high school shortstop Royce Lewis with the No. 1 pick in the Major League Baseball draft. After 75 picks in the first two rounds on Monday, we will see 240 picks on Tuesday with Rounds 3-10. Drafting first overall for just the third time in the event's 53-year history, the Twins also gave strong consideration to a handful of others, including Louisville left-hander/first baseman Brendan McKay, Vanderbilt right-hander Kyle Wright and high school right-hander Hunter Greene.
A 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed batter, Lewis is a contact hitter with a solid approach at the plate. The recommended slot value for the first overall pick is roughly $7.7 million, and if the Twins spend all of that, they've used up more than half their draft-pool money on one player.
With the 37th pick, the Twins drafted pitcher Landon Leach with the 37th pick.
Rounds 3-10 were held via conference calls with teams, with University of Minnesota righty Brian Glowicki wrapping up the day as pick No. 315 by the Cubs.
"Once I heard my name called, it was an fantastic feeling", Lewis, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 5 prospect in this year's Draft, said.
Alabama high school outfielder Bubba Thompson was the last of the four players at the draft to be selected, going to Texas with the 26th pick. Heimlich, originally projected as a third- or fourth-round pick, pleaded guilty as a teenager five years ago to molesting a 6-year-old girl. "I just turned 18 last week", Lewis said. "We'll let the baseball play take care of itself".
Greene, who was at the draft in Secaucus, N.J., went second overall to the Cincinnati Reds.
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Greene attended the Draft at MLB Network studios and did not have to waste a moment to put on a Reds jersey and cap while meeting MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. As a fielder, his athleticism makes him a worthy shortstop prospect, though he claims that he would like to play as a center fielder to make the most of his arm strength and accuracy.
NO. 2: THE CINCINNATI REDS SELECT NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (CALIF.) PITCHER HUNTER GREENE The 17-year-old fire-baller Hunter Greene was considered by many to be the most talented player in the draft.
We're just so excited to have him.
"I feel like I haven't even grown into any of my man strength yet", he said.
Falvey said the Twins' choice came down to the waning minutes and the decision to pass on Greene was "really tough". According to MLB.com, his fastball has been clocked at 102 miles per hour, a record for an amateur pitcher.
"I can't wait to get out to LA", Adell said.
UC Irvine second baseman Keston Hiura was the ninth pick to Milwaukee.
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