SAN FRANCISCO -- With the Twins holding the No. 1 overall selection in the MLB Draft on Monday, Minnesota hosted top Draft prospect Hunter Greene for a workout at Target Field on Friday.
Greene, ranked as the No. 1 overall Draft prospect by MLBPipeline.com, worked out in front of a Twins contingent that included chief baseball officer Derek Falvey, general manager Thad Levine, scouting director Sean Johnson, vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff and special assistant Torii Hunter.
:: 2017 MLB Draft coverage ::
Greene, a right-handed pitcher and shortstop for Notre Dame High School in Southern California, threw off a mound, fielded grounders and took batting practice, hitting four homers and showing off his fastball that has reached triple-digits this season. Falvey had already scouted Greene in person, meeting him and his family in early April.
"You can do a lot off video," Falvey said at the time. "I think when you get a chance to meet somebody, say hello, interact, meet the parents, be around the team and teammates, talk to coaches and otherwise, it just gives you a broader perspective."
Greene, though, is far from a lock as the No. 1 overall pick, as the Twins are strongly considering Louisville left-hander/first baseman Brendan McKay and Vanderbilt right-hander Kyle Wright. The most recent mock draft from MLB.com on Thursday had the Twins selecting Wright, but Draft expert Jim Callis revised his selection Friday, saying Minnesota is leaning toward McKay. The Twins would use McKay as a pitcher and would do the same with Greene.
With no clear-cut option at No. 1 overall, the Twins could get creative with the selection as a result and haven't decided on who they'll pick just yet.
Money could be a consideration, as the Twins could save slot money with the No. 1 pick and use it later in the Draft to sign players for more than their assigned slot-value. Minnesota holds several early picks, including the No. 1, No. 35 and No. 37 picks. The slot value for the No. 1 pick is $7,770,700, but drops to $1,935,300 for the No. 35 selection and $1,846,100 for No. 37.
Worth noting
• Right-hander Nik Turley will have his contract purchased from Triple-A Rochester to start Sunday with left-hander Hector Santiago on the 10-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain. It'll be the Major League debut for Turley, who had a 3.49 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings at Rochester.
• Right-hander Justin Haley (right shoulder soreness) started a throwing program and has been throwing from 90 feet with no discomfort. Right-hander Phil Hughes (right arm soreness) has yet to start a throwing program, but continues to rehab.