Twins 2015 Draft Redraft Reveals Painful Missed Opportunities

The 2015 MLB Draft felt like a turning point for the Minnesota Twins. Their pick—Tyler Jay at No. 6 overall—looked like a bet on ace-level potential, but it’s hard to call it anything but a misfire now.

Jay came in with all the hype. His fastball had scouts picturing a future rotation anchor for the Twins. But things unraveled fast.

Injuries piled up. Jay couldn’t find consistency and never really stuck as a starter. The Twins shuffled him into a reliever’s role, hoping for a spark, but it just didn’t click.

By 2019, Jay’s time with the Twins ended. He hadn’t made the majors. After that, he bounced around—Reds, Mets, Brewers—you name it.

He finally cracked the MLB in 2024. Seven innings, split between the Mets and Brewers, with five earned runs, nine hits, and six walks. He struck out six, but it wasn’t enough to lock down a spot.

Still, there’s a glimmer. In 2025, Jay’s numbers in Triple-A with the Brewers are eye-popping: a 0.44 ERA over 20 appearances. Maybe, just maybe, he gets another chance soon.

Keith Law’s Redraft: Brandon Lowe Changes Everything

Keith Law, in The Athletic, recently reimagined the 2015 MLB Draft. He suggests the Twins should’ve gone with Brandon Lowe instead.

Lowe, originally a third-round pick by Tampa Bay, has become a steady big-league hitter. Over eight seasons, he’s put up 16.5 fWAR and slugged 140 home runs. That’s not just solid—it’s the kind of consistency teams crave.

A “What-If” Scenario for Minnesota

Picturing Lowe in Minnesota colors is kind of wild. Imagine him at second base, with Carlos Correa at short and a healthy Royce Lewis at third. That’s a group that could light up the league.

• Lowe’s steady bat would finally give the Twins some real stability at second base.
• His lefty swing could break up Minnesota’s usual righty-heavy lineup.
• Defensively, pairing Lowe with Correa and Lewis? That’s got Gold Glove potential written all over it.

Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but it’s not totally out of reach. Lowe could hit free agency this winter, or the Twins could make a move if his club option isn’t picked up for 2026. Who knows, right?

Lessons Learned from Draft Decisions

The gap between Jay’s struggles and Lowe’s success really says something. Drafting is always a gamble—balancing what you need now with what you hope for later.

Injuries, development, all that unpredictability—that’s what makes the MLB Draft such a rollercoaster. Sometimes you win, sometimes you just shake your head and wonder what might’ve been.

Reflection for Future Draft Strategies

For the Twins, Tyler Jay’s career path really shows the risks that come with drafting pitchers early. Pitchers get hurt more often and their development can be all over the place compared to hitters.

Looking back, maybe building their 2015 draft around a proven offensive prospect like Lowe would’ve meant steadier production. It’s tough to ignore the setbacks that came with their original choice.

Twins fans are still waiting to see if Jay can make an MLB comeback. At the same time, Lowe’s off-season availability keeps things interesting.

It’s hard not to wonder how those decisions in 2015 changed the franchise’s path. Baseball’s unpredictability means the next draft could be just as wild as any before.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Twins fans will hate how their 2015 draft looks in this painful redraft