College decision key to Garnet Valley's Andrew Bechtold getting drafted by Twins

Despite initial skepticism, leaving Maryland for junior college has become Andrew Bechtold's best decision.

After batting just .218 as a redshirt freshman, the Garnet Valley product abandoned College Park in hopes of a restart. At Chipola College in northwest Florida, Bechtold found the spark he needed to rejuvenate his draft stock.

The 6-foot-2 third baseman and 2014 Pennsylvania Player of the Year was selected 136th in Tuesday's MLB draft — the Minnesota Twins' fifth-round pick.

"I knew the Twins were really high on me," Bechtold said. "Even since the draft started. I heard rumors about anywhere from two through five, they were going to pull the trigger on me."

Pending his physical and contract, Bechtold will likely sign with the Twins. Minnesota had visited its new third-base prospect multiple times in Florida, including the JUCO World Series.

"I'm definitely going to sign with Minnesota," Bechtold said. "Pending that everything works out. It's just a perfect fit for me, it's a team that I had my eye on, and they had their eye on me. I was really happy to be picked by them. They were definitely one of my front runners personally."

Minnesota wanted Bechtold enough to overpay him in the fifth round. The 136th pick carries an estimated pick value of $378,700 — but Bechtold said the Twins promised to overpay for his selection.

Like many, Bechtold didn't know what to expect when he decided to transfer to Chipola. The former 37th-round pick out of high school was able to start for the Indians — and in 60 games, the Chadds Ford native batted .419 with 12 home runs, 65 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Bechtold led his team in hitting. Chipola is a junior-college program that had 10 players drafted and won the 2017 NJCAA national championship.

"I was kind of skeptical when I decided to go to Chipola," Bechtold admitted. "I think it's more of a minor league setting, the facilities aren't all hype and beautiful. But from a baseball standpoint, those guys can play. I realized that in the fall when we started playing. Some of the talent out there was just ridiculous. I was surprised."

Chipola has always been considered one of the strongest programs in the country. The Indians have produced MLB players Jose Bautista, Russell Martin, Patrick Corbin and Adam Duvall, among others.

"Our coach down there, I can't thank that guy enough," Bechtold said. "He helped me become a better player on and off the field. Going to Chipola was probably the best decision I've made. I think I had a really great year, which led to what happened in the draft. Looking back at it, I don't regret it at all."

Along with a change in scenery, Bechtold also adjusted his mechanics with Chipola coaches to improve his approach at the plate. Those changes sparked an absolute tear at the plate, as Bechtold batted his way to the 31st-highest average in the country.

"Our coaches essentially revamped my swing," Bechtold said. "It simplified everything. I worked on being quicker to the ball which led to more hits and power. Once we found that swing and I started to get going, I just let my athleticism take over from there. I knew I always had it in me."

The former Central League champion expects to begin his professional journey with Minnesota's rookie team in Elizabethton, Tenn. Bechtold will be in a new place with new players — but he's already done that twice since leaving Garnet Valley.

"The minor leagues is definitely a grind," Bechtold said. "You're going to play every day, you're around a random group of guys because they're always moving up and down. I think Chipola has really prepared me for that, the atmosphere and traveling has set me up for what's to come at the next level."