Here's an update on Twins picks on Day 3.
Draft day three roundup: The Twins' first five picks
Rounds 16-40 take place today
By lavelle neal
16. Will Hurt, SS, Lexington (Kent.) Catholic
17. Dalton Hicks, 1B, Central Florida
Good size. 6-5, 228.
From Baseball America:
Hicks took a medical redshirt in 2010 after an undiagnosed collapsed lung required two surgeries to repair. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder pitched and hit as a freshman but has focused on the bat since then, providing a reliable power bat in Central Florida's lineup. Scouts describe him as "lumbering" on defense, and he's too slow to move to the outfield, where his arm strength could be an asset. He's a first baseman/DH type with strength, plus raw power and some hittability whose overall package falls a bit shy compared to other big first basemen in the draft such as Ben Waldrip, Preston Tucker and Matt Snyder.
18. William LaMarche, RHP, Chabot CC
Good size. Member of the Tommy John club.
From Baseball America:
LaMarche played in high school with Stanford third baseman Stephen Piscotty and started out his college career at Long Beach State in 2010 but never pitched for the Dirtbags because he needed Tommy John surgery. A workout monster, LaMarche came back strong and has powerful thighs and a barrel chest as part of his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame. Coming out of the bullpen, his fastball sits in the 94-96 mph range and he runs it up as high as 98, but he's still learning to harness his stuff. He's been used sparingly this year and doesn't have much in the way of secondary stuff. He's added a cutter this year, but he mostly tries to just blow hitters away with his gas. LaMarche has some funk to his delivery--he separates early, but has a really quick arm. With the delivery issues, below-average control and lack of secondary stuff, LaMarche is certainly a project and is committed to Louisiana State for next year if he doesn't sign.
19. Jonathan Murphy, OF, Jacksonville.
Brother of the Mets' Daniel Murphy.
Here's his college profile page
Here's a story about the family.
20. Zach Larson, OF, Lakewood Ranch High (FL.)
Ranked as the 84th best prospect out of a deep Florida class.
about the writer
lavelle neal
After an incredible 25-year career that saw him become MLB's all-time stolen bases leader and the greatest leadoff hitter ever, Rickey Henderson died Friday at age 65.