The Minnesota Twins are essentially on the clock in the 2012 MLB Draft considering the Houston Astros are likely to take Mark Appel. Rumors have been swirling all of Monday regarding what the Twins are going to do with the second overall pick, but the latest news indicates that the team is going to go with the consensus and draft Byron Buxton.
Buxton, a high school outfielder from Georgia, has been projected to the Twins in the majority of the mock drafts. The Pioneer Press says not to be surprised if the Twins go with Kevin Gausman, but the Star Tribune's La Velle E. Neal posted Monday evening that Buxton is apparently Minnesota's top option.
Twins director of player personnel Mike Radcliff said they have yet to confirm what Houston's intentions are and will be prepared for any scenario when it's their turn to pick.
The Twins have narrowed their choices to Appel and Buxton. They worked out shortstop Carlos Correa in recent weeks, but he apparently isn't worth that high of a pick in their eyes. They apparently have backed off of USF righthander Kyle Zimmer, a pitcher they scouted extensively this year.
It is interesting that Gausman wasn't even mentioned by Neal considering the Press and ESPN's Keith Law both mentioned him earlier in the day. Luckily the draft begins soon and we'll all be able to hear the pick right from the horse's mouth.
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