Twins get top pick

NEW YORK (AP) -- Minnesota Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff approached this year's baseball draft knowing his organization is in an enviable position.

The Twins have the No. 1 overall pick and their choice of a number of major league prospects in the draft, which begins Tuesday.

"We don't look at it as pressure at all," Radcliff said. "We just feel fortunate to be picking at the very top of this year's draft. There are some quality guys to pick from at the top."

It's just a matter of agreeing on the player who best suits the organization -- and the one most likely to sign.

"Obviously, the final piece in any draft is factoring the signability, particularly when you have one of the top picks," Radcliff said. "It's the last thing that happens, but sometimes it's the most publicized and most controversial. It's certainly become an integral part of the process the last few years as the money has exponentially gone up."

Southern California junior right-hander Mark Prior, high school catcher Joe Mauer and Georgia Tech junior third baseman Mark Teixeira are considered the class of this year's draft crop.

The Twins, picking No. 1 overall for just the second time in franchise history, hadn't yet decided on who to take as of Monday night.

"I think most everybody has the names. They're not secrets," Radcliff said.