{"id":699918,"date":"2026-06-12T15:11:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T15:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/699918\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T15:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T15:11:15","slug":"best-draft-picks-in-minnesota-twins-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/699918\/","title":{"rendered":"Best draft picks in Minnesota Twins history"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stacker<\/a> compiled a list of the best draft picks in Minnesota Twins history using data from Baseball Reference<\/a>. MLB players drafted by each team were ranked using career wins above replacement, which measures a player\u2019s value by estimating how many more wins they are worth than a replacement-level player at their position. Draft picks who were not ultimately signed by their selecting team were not considered. Players who were traded as draft picks were credited to their acquiring team. Career stats and information were provided as supplemental information.<\/p>\n

#25. Steve Braun
\u2013 Draft: 200th overall pick in 1966
\u2013 Position: Shortstop
\u2013 Games played: 1,425
\u2013 Career stats: 52 home runs, .271 batting average, .738 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 17.4<\/p>\n

#24. Jeff Burroughs
\u2013 Draft: 1st overall pick in 1969
\u2013 Position: Outfielder
\u2013 Games played: 1,689
\u2013 Career stats: 240 home runs, .261 batting average, .795 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 17.7<\/p>\n

#22. Michael Cuddyer (tie)
\u2013 Draft: 9th overall pick in 1997
\u2013 Position: Shortstop
\u2013 Games played: 1,536
\u2013 Career stats: 197 home runs, .277 batting average, .805 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 17.8<\/p>\n

#22. LaTroy Hawkins (tie)
\u2013 Draft: 180th overall pick in 1991
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 1,042
\u2013 Career stats: 75 wins, 4.31 earned run average, 1.41 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 17.8<\/p>\n

#21. Byron Buxton
\u2013 Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2012
\u2013 Position: Outfielder
\u2013 Games played: 713
\u2013 Career stats: 118 home runs, .238 batting average, .761 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 21.5<\/p>\n

#20. Denny Neagle
\u2013 Draft: 85th overall pick in 1989
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 392
\u2013 Career stats: 124 wins, 4.24 earned run average, 1.31 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 22.4<\/p>\n

#19. Dave Goltz
\u2013 Draft: 97th overall pick in 1967
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 353
\u2013 Career stats: 113 wins, 3.69 earned run average, 1.35 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 23.1<\/p>\n

#18. Joe Coleman
\u2013 Draft: 3rd overall pick in 1965
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 484
\u2013 Career stats: 142 wins, 3.7 earned run average, 1.33 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 23.2<\/p>\n

#17. Brian Dozier
\u2013 Draft: 252nd overall pick in 2009
\u2013 Position: Shortstop
\u2013 Games played: 1,144
\u2013 Career stats: 192 home runs, .244 batting average, .767 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 23.7<\/p>\n

#16. A.J. Pierzynski
\u2013 Draft: 71st overall pick in 1994
\u2013 Position: Catcher
\u2013 Games played: 2,059
\u2013 Career stats: 188 home runs, .280 batting average, .739 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 23.8<\/p>\n

#15. Corey Koskie
\u2013 Draft: 715th overall pick in 1994
\u2013 Position: Third baseman
\u2013 Games played: 989
\u2013 Career stats: 124 home runs, .275 batting average, .826 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 24.6<\/p>\n

#14. Scott Erickson
\u2013 Draft: 112th overall pick in 1989
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 389
\u2013 Career stats: 142 wins, 4.59 earned run average, 1.46 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 24.8<\/p>\n

#13. Rick Dempsey
\u2013 Draft: 297th overall pick in 1967
\u2013 Position: Catcher
\u2013 Games played: 1,765
\u2013 Career stats: 96 home runs, .233 batting average, .666 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 25.1<\/p>\n

#12. Butch Wynegar
\u2013 Draft: 38th overall pick in 1974
\u2013 Position: Catcher
\u2013 Games played: 1,301
\u2013 Career stats: 65 home runs, .255 batting average, .696 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 26.5<\/p>\n

#11. Justin Morneau
\u2013 Draft: 89th overall pick in 1999
\u2013 Position: Catcher
\u2013 Games played: 1,545
\u2013 Career stats: 247 home runs, .281 batting average, .828 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 27.0<\/p>\n

#10. Denard Span
\u2013 Draft: 20th overall pick in 2002
\u2013 Position: Outfielder
\u2013 Games played: 1,359
\u2013 Career stats: 71 home runs, .281 batting average, .745 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 27.9<\/p>\n

#9. Jay Bell
\u2013 Draft: 8th overall pick in 1984
\u2013 Position: Shortstop
\u2013 Games played: 2,063
\u2013 Career stats: 195 home runs, .265 batting average, .759 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 37.1<\/p>\n

#8. Kent Hrbek
\u2013 Draft: 432nd overall pick in 1978
\u2013 Position: First baseman
\u2013 Games played: 1,747
\u2013 Career stats: 293 home runs, .283 batting average, .848 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 38.6<\/p>\n

#7. Chuck Knoblauch
\u2013 Draft: 25th overall pick in 1989
\u2013 Position: Shortstop
\u2013 Games played: 1,632
\u2013 Career stats: 98 home runs, .289 batting average, .783 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 44.6<\/p>\n

#6. Brad Radke
\u2013 Draft: 206th overall pick in 1991
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 378
\u2013 Career stats: 148 wins, 4.22 earned run average, 1.26 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 45.3<\/p>\n

#5. Frank Viola
\u2013 Draft: 37th overall pick in 1981
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 421
\u2013 Career stats: 176 wins, 3.73 earned run average, 1.30 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 47.0<\/p>\n

#4. Torii Hunter
\u2013 Draft: 20th overall pick in 1993
\u2013 Position: Outfielder
\u2013 Games played: 2,372
\u2013 Career stats: 353 home runs, .277 batting average, .793 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 50.7<\/p>\n

#3. Joe Mauer
\u2013 Draft: 1st overall pick in 2001
\u2013 Position: Catcher
\u2013 Games played: 1,858
\u2013 Career stats: 143 home runs, .306 batting average, .827 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 55.2<\/p>\n

#2. Graig Nettles
\u2013 Draft: 74th overall pick in 1965
\u2013 Position: Third baseman
\u2013 Games played: 2,700
\u2013 Career stats: 390 home runs, .248 batting average, .750 on-base plus slugging
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 67.9<\/p>\n

#1. Bert Blyleven
\u2013 Draft: 55th overall pick in 1969
\u2013 Position: Pitcher
\u2013 Games played: 692
\u2013 Career stats: 287 wins, 3.31 earned run average, 1.20 walks plus hits per inning
\u2013 Wins above replacement: 94.5<\/p>\n

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