24 minutes ago, 35thstreetswarm said:

Really not sure there's any reason to move off of Roch, but if the scouts determine Lackey is BPA I don't think current positional need should factor into the decision whether to draft him. A lot of things can happen in the couple years (minimum) before he comes up. Teel might already be off catcher by then; he might be ready to move off; he might be hurt, he might be a bust.

the issue with Lackey is the extra time it takes to develop a guy into an MLB catcher, that isn't an issue with Roch, in fact he probably gives you more versatility the minute he hits the Sox system. now with that being said, Vahn has been said to be extremely athletic, and I'm sure everyone knows about the 8 positions in 1 game meme. I don't know how to find out how many games he's actually played at 3b/of though outside of that 1 game

1 hour ago, joejoesox said:

the issue with Lackey is the extra time it takes to develop a guy into an MLB catcher, that isn't an issue with Roch, in fact he probably gives you more versatility the minute he hits the Sox system. now with that being said, Vahn has been said to be extremely athletic, and I'm sure everyone knows about the 8 positions in 1 game meme. I don't know how to find out how many games he's actually played at 3b/of though outside of that 1 game

The mariners rushed Zunino and he never developed his hit tool a lick. If we go with Lackey we can't rush him. I'd like him get at least like 600 PA in the upper minors before even thinking about a call up.

15 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

The mariners rushed Zunino and he never developed his hit tool a lick. If we go with Lackey we can't rush him. I'd like him get at least like 600 PA in the upper minors before even thinking about a call up.

I think the Sox love Teel and will be extremely hesitant to consider drafting someone that would start over him at catcher.

7 minutes ago, fathom said:

I think the Sox love Teel and will be extremely hesitant to consider drafting someone that would start over him at catcher.

BPA...plus now there are some emerging questions/concerns about his health maintenance at the catching spot.

FWIW Getz has said catching is gold.

2 minutes ago, Lukakke Appling said:

FWIW Getz has said catching is gold.

They also love shortstops and the scouting director has never drafted a non SS position player in the first round.

2 hours ago, fathom said:

I think the Sox love Teel and will be extremely hesitant to consider drafting someone that would start over him at catcher.

Do they not love Colson?

1 hour ago, Y2Jimmy0 said:

They also love shortstops and the scouting director has never drafted a non SS position player in the first round.

Ok? I was referring to the chatter immediately above my post.

3 hours ago, Lukakke Appling said:

FWIW Getz has said catching is gold.

And they draft a ton of catching every year.

1 hour ago, Lukakke Appling said:

Ok? I was referring to the chatter immediately above my post.

And? He still provided a relevant and worth while consideration that I for one appreciate.

Edited Tuesday at 01:28 AM2 days by hi8is

Scouting Report

Bats: R, Throws: R

Arm70

Field60

Hit60

Power55

Run60

Lackey is the most well-rounded prospect in the 2026 class. A catcher by trade, he's got the flexibility, athleticism and arm strength to play the position as a professional. It's at least plus arm strength with the athleticism the generate pop times to second base under 1.75 seconds. Elite catch-and-throw. Lackey is slightly above average with regards to pitch framing; better stealing the north and south strikes than he is pulling the ball back into the zone when a pitcher misses arm-side or glove-side. Certainly a trait he can develop with further reps behind the dish. He's exceptional at blocking the ball in the dirt and is decorated throwing would-be base stealers out at second base as well as back-picking first base. Lackey gets up and out of the crouch with elite burst and flashes pop times that point toward a plus defender long-term, maybe better.

It's hard to poke many holes in Lackey's offensive game. He's well-above average from a bat-to-ball perspective and his peak batted-ball events have resulted in exit velocities north of 112 mph. There are components and traits here that suggest a plus hitter at the next level with the ability to perhaps run into 25 homers per year thanks to his above-average raw power. He'll need to pull the ball with more frequency and cover the bottom of the strike zone with a bit better plane. Lackey needs to get the ball in the air more often on pitches in the lower-half if he's to realize his impact potential with the stick, but he's shown the raw strength and feel to get there. Better still, Lackey has the athletic frame scouts like to see from a catcher who still has some strength gains on the horizon.

As if the defensive ability and hit tool upside weren't enough, Lackey is also a rare-breed catcher who has plus speed on the bases. He'll steal bases in buckets when the legs are fresh.

Lackey is a special player. He's an outlier with respect to the sport. Not only are the tools rare, his personality and leadership qualities are infectious. His performance track record has only gotten better year over year, showcasing the type of trajectory teams like to see with their first pick. Lackey has all the same traits that a player like JT Realmuto. It feels a bit lazy from a comparison perspective, but it's difficult to find this blend of speed and power from a player behind the plate. Lackey also played every single position on the field this spring with the exception of pitcher. He's a unicorn. This is a top five pick and one of the better college catchers the sport has ever seen

57 minutes ago, hi8is said:

And? He still provided a relevant and worth while consideration that I for one appreciate.

So?

I just wanted to continue the trend.

19 minutes ago, Lukakke Appling said:

So?

I just wanted to continue the trend.

Keep the train rolling then. 🚂

Chooo Chooooo 😆

1 hour ago, Chick Mercedes said:

Scouting Report

Bats: R, Throws: R

Arm70

Field60

Hit60

Power55

Run60

Lackey is the most well-rounded prospect in the 2026 class. A catcher by trade, he's got the flexibility, athleticism and arm strength to play the position as a professional. It's at least plus arm strength with the athleticism the generate pop times to second base under 1.75 seconds. Elite catch-and-throw. Lackey is slightly above average with regards to pitch framing; better stealing the north and south strikes than he is pulling the ball back into the zone when a pitcher misses arm-side or glove-side. Certainly a trait he can develop with further reps behind the dish. He's exceptional at blocking the ball in the dirt and is decorated throwing would-be base stealers out at second base as well as back-picking first base. Lackey gets up and out of the crouch with elite burst and flashes pop times that point toward a plus defender long-term, maybe better.

It's hard to poke many holes in Lackey's offensive game. He's well-above average from a bat-to-ball perspective and his peak batted-ball events have resulted in exit velocities north of 112 mph. There are components and traits here that suggest a plus hitter at the next level with the ability to perhaps run into 25 homers per year thanks to his above-average raw power. He'll need to pull the ball with more frequency and cover the bottom of the strike zone with a bit better plane. Lackey needs to get the ball in the air more often on pitches in the lower-half if he's to realize his impact potential with the stick, but he's shown the raw strength and feel to get there. Better still, Lackey has the athletic frame scouts like to see from a catcher who still has some strength gains on the horizon.

As if the defensive ability and hit tool upside weren't enough, Lackey is also a rare-breed catcher who has plus speed on the bases. He'll steal bases in buckets when the legs are fresh.

Lackey is a special player. He's an outlier with respect to the sport. Not only are the tools rare, his personality and leadership qualities are infectious. His performance track record has only gotten better year over year, showcasing the type of trajectory teams like to see with their first pick. Lackey has all the same traits that a player like JT Realmuto. It feels a bit lazy from a comparison perspective, but it's difficult to find this blend of speed and power from a player behind the plate. Lackey also played every single position on the field this spring with the exception of pitcher. He's a unicorn. This is a top five pick and one of the better college catchers the sport has ever seen

Man, that end part is the type of stuff that's got me beginning to drift towards Lackey. Unicorn gets thrown around like candy in the NBA and I've heard it a ton for pitchers.

I don't think I've ever heard a position player given the unicorn tag, because Shohei only kinda counts.

10 minutes ago, Quin said:

Man, that end part is the type of stuff that's got me beginning to drift towards Lackey. Unicorn gets thrown around like candy in the NBA and I've heard it a ton for pitchers.

I don't think I've ever heard a position player given the unicorn tag, because Shohei only kinda counts.

Bo Jackson before his hip injury...

Draft Lackey and split his time at C and CF. Game over!

https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/74294-should-twins-draft-vahn-lackey-examining-the-pros-and-cons-of-minnesotas-potential-pick-at-no-3/

Looks like Minnesota sees him more at 1B/3B as alternative position options...so a potential catcher and/or Murakami replacement, splitting time with Kyle Teel across 1B/DH as well.

Why the Twins Might Ultimately Be Sold
The strongest argument in favor of Lackey may be that his best baseball could still be ahead of him. Most top-three picks arrive with years of national attention and showcase experience. Lackey's path has been different. He entered college as an under-the-radar recruit and has improved dramatically every season since arriving at Georgia Tech.

That developmental curve suggests there may still be additional upside. Organizations are constantly searching for players who have not yet reached their ceiling. Lackey's combination of athleticism, intelligence, work ethic, and year-over-year growth makes him one of the more compelling bets in the class.

His profile also aligns with traits the Twins have traditionally valued. Minnesota has often targeted players with strong baseball instincts, defensive versatility, and a demonstrated ability to improve. Lackey checks all of those boxes.

For the Twins, the decision may come down to a simple question: Do they believe Lackey's future is still ascending? If the answer is yes, Minnesota could be looking at a franchise cornerstone capable of impacting the game on both sides of the ball for years to come. If his development continues on its current trajectory, the Twins may not simply be drafting the best catcher in the class. They may be drafting one of the best players in baseball's next generation.

Edited Tuesday at 11:25 AM1 day by caulfield12

8 hours ago, ron883 said:

Draft Lackey and split his time at C and CF. Game over!

Push him right to the OF like Harper

12 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Push him right to the OF like Harper

Harper didn't possess the 65-70 grade throwing arm....nor Lackey's speed, either. Just a generational LH hit tool lol.

Zunino/Henry Davis/Rutschman just a few of the case study dangers of highly drafted catchers. High risk/reward ratio.

1 hour ago, caulfield12 said:

Harper didn't possess the 65-70 grade throwing arm....nor Lackey's speed, either. Just a generational LH hit tool lol.

Zunino/Henry Davis/Rutschman just a few of the case study dangers of highly drafted catchers. High risk/reward ratio.

I think it was his bat but he could play catcher, but the grind wasn't worth it. To that point, his defensive tools were nowhere near as good as Lackey's...but Lackey's tools play as a potential plus centerfielder as well. Which I still think is what I would opt for or at least aim for as I think the value there is extremely high if it hits. Catching is just such a grind - both the mental part of the job and the physical part of the defensive role, that it absolutely impacts your offensive development and even ability to maintain an offensive peak. There is a reason so few catcher(s) have ever had sustainable success at both.

It is one reason I love the set-up the Sox theortically have with Teel and Quero as they should be able to adequately split their time up a bit more and truly let it play up to a big time advantage.

1 minute ago, Chisoxfn said:

I think it was his bat but he could play catcher, but the grind wasn't worth it. To that point, his defensive tools were nowhere near as good as Lackey's...but Lackey's tools play as a potential plus centerfielder as well. Which I still think is what I would opt for or at least aim for as I think the value there is extremely high if it hits. Catching is just such a grind - both the mental part of the job and the physical part of the defensive role, that it absolutely impacts your offensive development and even ability to maintain an offensive peak. There is a reason so few catcher(s) have ever had sustainable success at both.

It is one reason I love the set-up the Sox theortically have with Teel and Quero as they should be able to adequately split their time up a bit more and truly let it play up to a big time advantage

Need to have the draft right after the CWS....get it over with while the excitement level is highest. But the short season situation now leaves only Low A for NCAA guys or Arizona/ACL for preps.

It would be cool if the Sox select Thome and Contreras in the later rounds.

5 minutes ago, Falstaff said:

It would be cool if the Sox select Thome and Contreras in the later rounds.

Based on projections, they probably have an opportunity to get ahold of one of them, unless they can convince one to push other teams off with a bigger bonus to get picked lower with some savings from the #1 pick.

13 hours ago, ron883 said:

Draft Lackey and split his time at C and CF. Game over!

Talk about a first