2025 MLB Draft Lottery Pushes Minnesota Twins Down the Board

Minnesota slid down the draft board due to Seattle, St. Louis, Chicago, and Sacramento (Oakland) all checking in ahead of them. The Twins came up big during the lottery in 2023 when they launched up to the fifth pick and nabbed Walker Jenkins.

The Twins haven’t had the 16th overall pick since they landed Lenny Faedo with that selection in 1978. The only other time in franchise history that Minnesota owned the 16th overall pick was when they selected Alex Rowell ten years prior. He never advanced past Double-A.

For a team unwilling to spend money, making the most of draft picks is a must. Recent selections beyond the 16th overall pick include Trevor Larnach, Kaelan Culpepper, and Chase Petty.

Who do the Twins take in the MLB Draft?

It’s far too early to actually project what the Major League Baseball Draft will look like. You can probably bet on Jackson Holliday’s brother, Ethan, son of Matt Holiday, going first overall to Washington. Beyond that it’s a crapshoot. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline gave his thoughts in an initial mock draft, however.

“Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina – The best all-around catcher and top college sophomore in the Draft, Stevenson stands out most with his power and arm strength.”

Jim Callis on the Twins selection at number 16 (MLB Pipeline)

As a 19-year-old with North Carolina, Stevenson had a .955 OPS in 64 games. He blasted 14 homers and had a near-neutral 55/48 K/BB. Controlling the running game is a skill Twins backstops have lacked, and his arm could make a difference.

Minnesota’s catching position is rather barren, and that’s only going to get more real if and when they trade Christian Vazquez . He’s not a long term answer anyways, but it doesn’t seem like Jair Camargo will be. That puts a ton of eggs in the basket of Ryan Jeffers.

Jeffers played a career-best 122 games last season but posted just a 103 OPS+. His 133 OPS+ in 2023 came with just 96 games played. It’s been either injury or ineffectiveness that has held him back, and he’s hardly a standout defender.

The system has a couple of options, but only Ricardo Olivar ranks in the top 20. Another backstop makes a good deal of sense, especially in the middle of the first round.