Twins passed on Joba, Hughes, Kennedy, & Buchholz--Charley Walters

The Twins chose to pass on the following pitchers in the draft per Charley Walters:

• Phil Hughes, #23 pick in 2004 draft

• Clay Buchholz, #42 pick in 2005 draft

• Ian Kennedy, #21 pick, 2006 draft

• Joba Chamberlain, #41 pick, 2006 draft

Charley Walters article: "Several pitchers the Twins have sought in a trade for Johan Santana are players they passed up in baseball's amateur draft.

• In the 2004 draft, with their No. 20 overall pick, the Twins chose shortstop Trevor Plouffe, who is on track to become a major leaguer. Three picks later that year, the New York Yankees chose Philip Hughes, whom they have offered in a deal for Santana.

The Yankees are willing to depart with Hughes for Santana, but not Hughes and another pitcher the Twins have sought, Ian Kennedy.

• Kennedy was chosen by the Yankees in the 2006 draft with the No. 21 overall pick. The Twins that year had the No. 20 pick and chose position player Chris Parmelee, who also appears tohave a big-league future. And, with the No. 41 pick that year, the Yankees took pitcher Joba Chamberlain, whom they have deemed unavailable to the Twins.

The Twins could have drafted Kennedy or Chamberlain in 2006.

• In the 2005 draft, the Twins chose Matt Garza with the No. 25 pick and first baseman Henry Sanchez at No. 39. Three picks later, the Boston Red Sox chose pitcher Clay Buchholz, whom the Twins would like in a deal for Santana."...

From Pioneer Press article by Shooter Charley Walters, "Minnesota Vikings Coach Brad Childress' job Safe for 2008," 1/4/08

• P.S. I was surprised to read the Twins passed on the 3 Yankee pitchers mentioned. From listening to baseball reporters' comments on radio programs, I'd received the impression the Yankees only got these pitchers because they were greedy, mean, cruel, and rich. And that no other teams could ever hope to get such good players because the Yankees had more money. Mr. Walters' information sheds a different light on the subject. (sm)

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