baseballamerica
The Minnesota Twins orchestrated an unusual draft strategy by choosing catchers with their initial two selections, a decision that assistant general manager Sean Johnson acknowledged might raise eyebrows. After grabbing Georgia Tech backstop Vahn Lackey with the No. 3 overall pick, the organization followed up by selecting Texas catcher Carson Tinney at No. 43, a move that became necessary as several pitching targets were taken off the board before their turn.
This marks only the second time this century that a team has drafted catchers with its first two picks, with the 2025 Orioles being the other, having selected Ike Irish and Caden Bodine. Johnson clarified that the Twins were not aiming for a record, stating, "We weren't trying to make history or not make history. It's just where we were at on the board. That's who we thought was the best player to take."
Key Analysis
The Twins were attracted to Tinney's offensive potential, signing him to a below-slot bonus of $1.9 million. After transferring from Notre Dame to Texas, he posted a .326/.483/.688 slash line with 22 home runs this spring, and Johnson highlighted his exit velocities as among the best in the draft class. Defensively, the organization believes Tinney can remain behind the plate, citing his strong throwing arm and room for improvement. "He can really throw," Johnson said. "We think his defensive skills are at a good spot, and we think we can make him even better. He hasn't been a catcher his whole life, but we trust player development can do a lot of good things with what he can do."
Tinney and Lackey are the first catchers the Twins have drafted in the first two rounds since Ryan Jeffers in 2018, and the team sees similarities in their development paths. Tinney's interview at the draft combine left a positive impression, particularly his attitude toward defense. "He's wired to really want to work at it and improve and take steps forward," Johnson noted. "As long as the effort is there, we feel good about what we can do on our side that we can turn him into a viable catcher."
In other Twins draft news, the team selected right-handed pitcher Ethan Wachsmann in the third round, their only high school player, and signed him to an over-slot deal worth $2.5 million. Johnson expressed excitement about the pick, saying, "He's a player we scouted heavily. It's a guy that you can easily see going to Wake Forest and coming out on the other side like a first-round pick. To get him in the spot we did feels like a real win." Additionally, Florida Complex League right-hander Santiago Castellanos underwent season-ending surgery on June 24 to remove a bone spur in his right elbow.
Originally reported by baseballamerica.