Twins take Kentucky high schooler with first-round pick

The Minnesota Twins chose Ben Revere, a 19-year-old center fielder who recently graduated from Lexington Catholic High School in Kentucky, with their first-round pick (28th overall).

Revere, 19, bats left-handed and throws right-handed and hit .516 with 10 doubles, 5 triples, 9 home runs 41 RBIs and 24 stolen bases as a senior at Lexington. He was named the 2006-2007 Gatorade Kentucky Baseball Player of the Year.

Revere was not projected to be taken in the first round or even the early part of the second round, but Twins director of scouting Mike Radcliff said Revere, ranked the 42nd best high school prospect by Baseball American, continued to climb the team's rankings in recent weeks.

The center fielder's greatest strength, Radcliff said, is his speed. Revere has run the 60-yard dash in 6.28 seconds and the 40 in 4.3.