Twins conclude Day 2 with yet another pitcher

The Twins wrapped up Day 2 of the First-Year Player Draft by taking yet another college pitcher in the 10th round, selecting Tulane right-hander Randy LeBlanc with the 290th pick on Friday.

LeBlanc had a solid redshirt junior season at Tulane, making 14 starts and posting a 2.46 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 20 walks in 91 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old had Tommy John surgery after just his third start his freshman year in 2011, but he has fully recovered from the operation. LeBlanc was the eighth college pitcher taken by the Twins through their first 10 picks.

"He's an interesting redshirt junior," MLB.com Draft expert Jim Callis said. "Throws 95 [mph] with a little effort, which allows him to command it well. He needs a second pitch, so he's probably a reliever but he really pitches off that fastball."

The Draft concludes on Saturday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 beginning on MLB.com at 12 p.m. CT.

LeBlanc burst onto the prospect scene his senior year at Covington High School in Louisiana, but he had a strong commitment to Tulane and didn't sign as a 16th-rounder by the Marlins in the 2010 Draft.

"We liked him a lot in high school," Twins scouting director Deron Johnson said. "He has a really good body and is a high-ceiling guy. I think he's ultimately a reliever but he's been a starter throughout his collegiate career. He has three pitches but he can run his fastball up to 96-97 [mph]."

LeBlanc started off his college career with three strong starts, but he then underwent Tommy John surgery. LeBlanc was able to return in 2012 but struggled with a 5.82 ERA in 38 2/3 innings. LeBlanc's gotten progressively better since then, including his strong redshirt junior season this year.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder lives off his fastball, which sits at 92-93 mph, but he doesn't have any strong secondary pitches. So he could be a reliever at the next level if he doesn't add more to his arsenal.