The Minnesota Twins chosen Vahn Lackey with the third total choose within the 2026 MLB Draft, handing the group one of the gifted school hitters in latest reminiscence. Scouts praised his superior method, athleticism, and all-around offensive upside. Unfortunately, none of that mattered to 43-year-old Brainerd resident Randy Swenson, who has apparently seen sufficient.
“I’ve been patient,” Swenson mentioned whereas refreshing Lackey’s sport log for the ninth time earlier than breakfast. “But the guy was supposed to be the next Joe Mauer, and now he can’t even hit home runs against teenagers in the Florida State League. I don’t know what else there is to say.”
When reminded that Lackey is, in reality, just a few video games into his skilled profession after signing just a few weeks in the past, Swenson remained unconvinced.
“Excuses,” he replied. “Joe Mauer would’ve hit three home runs by now. Probably four. Honestly, I expected him to force a promotion to Double-A by the end of the month.”
Swenson admitted he has not truly watched a single plate look. Instead, he has fashioned his opinion virtually solely by checking the field rating each morning and evaluating Lackey’s residence run whole to gamers who’ve a number of hundred extra skilled video games underneath their belts.
“If I’m looking at a first-round pick and there’s not at least one ball in the parking lot by now, something’s wrong,” Swenson defined. “You don’t draft a guy third overall to go out there and… develop.”
His frustration stems from what he describes as “false advertising.”
“They kept saying he has an advanced hit tool,” Swenson mentioned. “That’s great. Where are the moonshots? I was promised Joe Mauer, except with more power. Right now, I’m seeing a guy who’s getting on base instead of hitting 500-foot home runs every night.”
The response has not shocked these closest to him.
“Oh, this is pretty standard,” mentioned his spouse, Melissa. “He declared Byron Buxton a bust after his first Spring Training because he struck out twice. Two years later, he was telling everyone he’d believed in Buxton all along.”
His uncle, Dennis, remembers comparable conduct stretching again a long time.
“When Joe Ryan gave up a homer in his first Grapefruit League outing, Randy wanted to trade him for ‘literally any veteran,'” Dennis recalled. “Then Joe became an All-Star, and Randy started wearing his jersey like none of that happened.”
Even Swenson’s 16-year-old daughter, Emma, has grown accustomed to the cycle.
“Dad once called a prospect untouchable after a three-hit game,” she mentioned. “The next week the same player went 1-for-16, and suddenly he wanted him DFA’d. I don’t think he fully understands how the whole thing works.”
Despite Lackey proudly owning only a handful {of professional} video games on his résumé, Swenson believes sufficient proof has accrued.
“I’m just saying,” he insisted. “The third overall pick should be batting at least .450 by now. If you’re still ‘adjusting to pro ball’ after a week, are you really a generational talent?”
Scouts proceed to reward Lackey’s plate self-discipline, swing choices, and skill to make constant laborious contact. Twins officers have repeatedly emphasised that participant improvement is measured over years—not days.
Swenson disagrees.
“Prospects are like avocados,” he defined confidently. “If they’re not perfect immediately, you’ve waited too long.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Swenson had moved on to criticizing the Twins’ latest worldwide signing for “only” posting a .417 on-base share in his first week {of professional} baseball.
Family members anticipate he’ll ultimately come round on Lackey—roughly two weeks after the catcher reaches the majors and begins hitting.
Until then, Minnesota’s latest high prospect can take consolation in a single factor: if Randy Swenson already thinks you are overrated, historical past suggests you are in all probability heading in the right direction.