The Twins played the percentages in the draft.
They need pitchers so they drafted pitchers -- many, many pitchers.
Thirteen of the Twins' first 18 draft picks were pitchers.
Overall, 24 of their haul of 43 draft choices pitch.
The Twins used the second overall pick in the draft on Byron Buxton, an extremely talented high school outfielder from Georgia -- who also is an outstanding pitcher.
He is likely to stay in the outfield, but the majority of players were drafted because they can throw the ball over the plate.
And the hope is, a few of them will be able to help the Twins within a few years.
The two with the best shot would be the first two pitchers drafted -- righties Jose Berrios, a high schooler from Puerto Rico, and Luke Bard, who was a closer at Georgia Tech.
If the Bard name is familiar it's likely because his older brother, Daniel, pitches for the Boston Red Sox. The Twins see Luke Bard as a starter.
No shock there. The Twins can use starting pitchers.
And when you look at the pitchers they drafted, many have this in common:
They throw hard, with fastballs approaching the mid-90s, or higher.
It's smart, loading up on pitchers.
They won't all make it to the majors.
But even if just a couple do, the Twins' decision to load up on pitchers in this 2012 draft will have paid off.
