Evaluating a Draft: 2000

Posted by andrew on February 3, 2010 under Andrew | 2 Comments to Read

Although the season is just around the corner, there is still plenty of time to start a mini-series, isn’t there? As we follow the latest (and most likely inaccurate) Joe Mauer rumors, here is a review of the first round of the 2000 draft, along with a few other notable picks.

1st Round (2nd overall) – Adam Johnson, RHP

With the highly-coveted 2nd overall pick in the draft, the Twins selected right-handed pitcher Adam Johnson, from Cal State Fullerton. Johnson dominated collegiate batters, and was a candidate to go first overall, but signability issues pushed him down to No. 2.

The Twins aren’t known to rush prospects, but they indulged themselves with Johnson after the young righty enjoyed a good season in both High-A and Double-A. At this time, it wasn’t known whether Johnson could remain a starter, or if he would be forced to the bullpen. Either way, most were convinced Johnson would be a star.

After seven appearances with the Twins in 2001, Johnson amassed an ERA of 8.25 through 25 innings. He was quickly returned to the minor leagues, where he toiled in Triple-A for the rest of his career. He left baseball after the 2008 season, which he spent with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, an Independent League team.

Johnson was ranked by Baseball American as the Twins’ top prospect heading into the 2001 season, but slipped to 5th in 2002, and 10th in 2003, before falling off the map.

Unnecessary hype was a major reason Johnson was a failure at the major league level, but not being allowed to fully develop in the minor leagues could be another contributing factor. The Twins gave Johnson a signing bonus of $2.5 million, which was outrageously high at the time.

It is disappointing to notice how many other major-league stars were taking after Johnson in the 1st round of the 2000 draft. Adam Wainwright, Chase Utley, and Rocco Baldelli were all first-round selections in the 2000 draft. Adrian Gonzalez was the first-overall selection of the Florida Marlins.

1st Supplemental Round (31st overall) – Aaron Heilman, RHP

Heilman enjoyed a successful major league career, but he wasn’t signed after the Twins drafted him in 2000. He re-entered the draft in 2001, and was drafted by the New York Mets. Heilman was in the Chicago Cub’s bullpen last year, where he put up a 4.11 ERA in 72.1 innings. His ERA+ was 109.

12th Round (342nd overall) – Jason Kubel, OF

2000 was a relatively unsuccessful year for the Twins’ scouting and drafting departments, but they did find a late-round gem in Jason Kubel. A right-handed outfielder (although Kubel did pitch in high school with decent results) they drafted out of high school, Kubel lit up just about every minor league level he was at.

Up until 2004, Kubel was probably considered as an average minor league outfielder: below-average base running abilities and no power to speak of, he wasn’t especially valuable. In the 2004 season with New Britain and Rochester, though, Kubel’s slugging percentage shot up almost 70 points higher than his previous career high. Hitting a total of 22 home runs in the 2004 season between Double-A and Triple-A, Kubel instantly became a top prospect.

As we are all now aware, Kubel’s selection in the 2000 draft was a wise decision. As one of the best offensive outfielders in the league, Kubel is no doubt a source of pride for Minnesota’s scouting department.

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