Minnesota's own Rochester Century High School senior Mitch Brown could be in for a pleasant surprise on Monday, the first day of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He is considered one of the top 50 prospects in the draft and is an outside contender to be picked in the first round. He's taking the day in stride, but it would make him the first Minnesotan drafted in round one since 2004.
"Earlier this season, I couldn't sleep much because of the anticipation of the draft," Brown said last week. "Now, I'm OK with it. I'm calm. I feel like I've done everything I can to make a good impression."
Mitch has gotten lots of press and tons of scouting due to his sharp, 95 m.p.h fastball and solid record at the high school level.
One team that could potentially pick him up around the time he's expected to go is the hometown Minnesota Twins, who have selected guys from in-state before. Joe Mauer in 2001 came from St. Paul, while Glen Perkins of Stillwater and the University of Minnesota was taken in the first round in 2004. The Twins hold the 32nd and 42nd picks in the draft, both of which would fit the bill of when Brown is expected to be selected.
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