Josh Cookson took care of recapping Day 1, let’s see what happened on Days 2 and 3. I won’t recap ALL 37 picks, but I’ll run through a handful of picks made on those days
Photo from seminolestate.edu
The Red Sox made 40 selections this yeas, with 37 of them coming after Day 1. Michael Chavis and Michael Kopech are two highschoolers with big upside and Sam Travis looks like a decent bat with some pop who can play an average first base. But what happened next?
The Red Sox shied away from usual strategy, selecting only two college seniors in the first 10 rounds of this years draft. The two seniors this year were Reed Reilly and Cole Sturgeon. Typically, teams take seniors in the latter half of the second day in order to sign them to below-slot deals and use the savings on other picks who might require over-slot bonuses. This year though, even though Reilly is a senior, he still ranked on both the Baseball America 500, Perfect Game’s Top 300, and MLB.com’s Top 200. That means that he will likely command, at the very least, a bonus that is at slot value. But I don’t really know, he could theoretically go below-slot as well. The selection of Sturgeon, the only other college senior, likely means that the Red Sox are confident in their ability to ink all of their other selections around slot value.
The Red Sox nabbed Jake Cosart, younger brother of Jarred Cosart of the Astros, with their third-round selection. Cosart is and athletic power righty who can touch 98 with his fastball. He was an outfielder at Duke, so his arm is likely to be pretty fresh. He has a sharp curveball and a change-up that will need lots of work if he is to stay on the mound.
Danny Mars, a center fielder out of Chipola College in Florida, was the Sox’ only other top-10 pick to appear on either BA’s or Perfect Game’s lists. Mars is a speed threat who should be able to stick in center while causing havoc on the base paths. He’s a line drive hitter, with a little pop, as he hit four home runs last season and eight triples for Chipola.
Other day 2 (first ten round) selections include Kevin McAvoy, Josh Ockimey, Ben Moore, and Kevin Steen.
McAvoy isnt a flashy selection, but he is an unranked 21-year-old starter, who the Red Sox will probably try to save some money on. He’s probably a reliever long term, but a reliable, strike-throwing, cost-controlled middle inning reliever has some value in the majors, and the minors for that matter.
Ockimey is a big, left-handed first baseman. He’s got some serious power and his bat will have to be his carrying tool if he wants to make it to the majors. Being only 18, there’s a big chance he never reaches his Ryan Howard-esque ceiling, but if he does fulfil that potential, it’s going to be impressive.
Moore is an outfielder turned catcher with impressive contact ability. His bat wont carry him in left, and he doesnt have the range for right field at Fenway, but if he can make the switch back to catcher, the bat will play just fine.
Steen is an absolute lottery ticket. Maybe even the definition of lottery ticket. He’s an excellent athlete, a basketball player and Tennessee commit. Steen will become whatever the Red Sox can make of him, he’s got a really high ceiling, but an equally low floor.
Outside the first 10 rounds, the Red Sox scored some intriguing picks. Karsten Whitson, their 11th round selection, went ninth-overall to the Padres way back in 2010, but opted to go to school instead. He was also a top prospect last year, but shoulder surgery derailed that prospect and he went in the 37th round to the Nationals, but again opted not to sign. He’s got some questions surrounding his health, but provided he signs and returns to form, he could be a massive steal.
Jalen Beeks, who the Sox snagged one round later, was a member of the Arkansas rotation, but his stock likely fell due to a sore elbow which caused him to miss a handful of starts. He has three pitches which have the chance to be league average and an intriguing delivery which may lead to a bullpen role down the road.
Boston took Jeren Kendall in the 30th round. Kendall is a center fielder from Wisconsin who clocked in around 90th on both BA and PG lists. He has plus-plus speed which serves him well considering he doesnt have loads of power. He’s a Vanderbilt recruit, and with their strong program and where he was taken in the Draft have me wondering whether Boston will be able to sign him.
Devon Fisher and Ian Rice are two catchers selected on the third day. Rice was Cosart’s battery mate at Chipola. Fisher meanwhile is a Christian Vazquez-type catcher, whose bat lags behind his big power arm and defensive skills.
For what it’s worth (exactly nothing) the Red Sox snagged some pretty fun names in the draft to, like Joseph Winterburn (40-1214), Cisco Tellez (24-734), and Gabe Klobosits (25-764) among others. I’m sure these guys are all talented ball players, but honestly, I’m just looking forward to their shirseys.
For more news on the draft, SoxProspects.com has all of the selections, as well as other resources, like a full list of picks that were ranked by BA or PG.