Top 20 Prospects: Boston Red Sox
1. Xander Bogaerts, SS, A-
Bogaerts burst onto the prospect radar as a very good power hitting shortstop, but he may have to move to third in the future. He is showing more contact ability this year and an improving approach in addition to the power. He could be a fast riser through the system, as he is already in high-A as a 19 year old. He is playing well enough for a promotion to AA and if he shows the same kind of production in AA, his grade could be bumped up to a straight A.
2. Matt Barnes, RHP, A-
One of the top prospects in the 2011 draft, Barnes fell right into the Red Sox lap at 19th overall. Thus far he has dominated both low-A and high-A and he could see a promotion to AA by year’s end and possibly see the majors at some point next season. He is showing excellent stuff, control and command and he certainly has frontline starter potential.
3. Garin Cecchini, 3B, B+
Cecchini was fairly old for a high schooler when he was drafted in the 4th round in 2010. He is a very intelligent and disciplined player and has very good speed and hitting ability. He has gap power at this stage, but without home run power, he will have to improve his defense at third for his bat to play there.
4. Jackie Bradley Jr., OF, B+
Bradley has always been a winner and is a solid all around player, showing average to above across the board. He does not have much home run power, but is a very good hitter, making consistent solid contact. Although he has not been great statistically on defense. Bradley will be a very good centerfielder at the pro level.
5. Brandon Jacobs, OF, B
Jacobs had a breakout season last year as a 20 year old in low-A ball. Already raw with his approach, he is walking even less this season, while not showing the same kind of power that he did last year. He still has plenty of speed, and makes solid contact, when he makes contact, but he strikes out too much at this stage. He still has the tools to succeed, but as a left fielder he will have to show more power and better discipline.
6. Bryce Brentz, OF, B
Brentz has plenty of power to work with and could be in the majors at some point next season. He does not have much speed, but has an excellent arm and will be a solid right fielder. He has a tendency to swing and miss, but if he continues to show the same kind of power and hitting ability he has shown thus far in his pro and college career, his strikeouts will be tolerable.
7. Blake Swihart, C, B
Swihart is a potential five tool catcher, but he is still very raw at this point, especially behind the plate. He has a knack for hitting, some power and a good work ethic.
8. Deven Marrero, SS, B
Marrero is excellent with the glove and will stick at short. If the bat comes around as was expected earlier in his career, he could rank much higher in the near future
9. Henry Owens, LHP, B
Owens has had a mixed showing so far this year. On the one hand he is striking out many more hitters than I expected, on the other, he is walking more than expected. His stuff is solid and he is very projectable, with great size. He is probably more of a mid rotation guy going forward, but given his 13 K/9 rate through 58.2 innings, his ceiling may be higher.
10. Brandon Workman, RHP, B-
Workman is a very good prospect, hailing from the University of Texas. He has mid rotation stuff and a workhorse body suggesting he will be a solid big league starter for years.
11. Pat Light, RHP, B-
12. Sean Coyle, 2B, B-
13. Jose Vinicio, SS, C+
14. Kolbrin Vitek, 3B, C+
15. Cody Kukuk, LHP, C+
16. Williams Jerez, OF, C+
17. Ty Buttrey, RHP, C+
18. Austin Maddox, RHP, C+
19. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, C+
20. Alex Wilson, RHP, C+
21. Drake Britton, LHP, C+
22. Keith Couch, RHP, C+
23. Alex Hassan, OF, C+
24. Jeremy Hazelbaker, OF, C+
25. Heiker Meneses, INF, C+
26. Francellis Montas, RHP, C+
27. Kendrick Perkins, OF, C+
28. Noe Ramirez, RHP, C+
29. Manuel Margot, OF, C+
30. Raymel Flores, SS, C+
Bogaerts burst onto the prospect radar as a very good power hitting shortstop, but he may have to move to third in the future. He is showing more contact ability this year and an improving approach in addition to the power. He could be a fast riser through the system, as he is already in high-A as a 19 year old. He is playing well enough for a promotion to AA and if he shows the same kind of production in AA, his grade could be bumped up to a straight A.
2. Matt Barnes, RHP, A-
One of the top prospects in the 2011 draft, Barnes fell right into the Red Sox lap at 19th overall. Thus far he has dominated both low-A and high-A and he could see a promotion to AA by year’s end and possibly see the majors at some point next season. He is showing excellent stuff, control and command and he certainly has frontline starter potential.
3. Garin Cecchini, 3B, B+
Cecchini was fairly old for a high schooler when he was drafted in the 4th round in 2010. He is a very intelligent and disciplined player and has very good speed and hitting ability. He has gap power at this stage, but without home run power, he will have to improve his defense at third for his bat to play there.
4. Jackie Bradley Jr., OF, B+
Bradley has always been a winner and is a solid all around player, showing average to above across the board. He does not have much home run power, but is a very good hitter, making consistent solid contact. Although he has not been great statistically on defense. Bradley will be a very good centerfielder at the pro level.
5. Brandon Jacobs, OF, B
Jacobs had a breakout season last year as a 20 year old in low-A ball. Already raw with his approach, he is walking even less this season, while not showing the same kind of power that he did last year. He still has plenty of speed, and makes solid contact, when he makes contact, but he strikes out too much at this stage. He still has the tools to succeed, but as a left fielder he will have to show more power and better discipline.
6. Bryce Brentz, OF, B
Brentz has plenty of power to work with and could be in the majors at some point next season. He does not have much speed, but has an excellent arm and will be a solid right fielder. He has a tendency to swing and miss, but if he continues to show the same kind of power and hitting ability he has shown thus far in his pro and college career, his strikeouts will be tolerable.
7. Blake Swihart, C, B
Swihart is a potential five tool catcher, but he is still very raw at this point, especially behind the plate. He has a knack for hitting, some power and a good work ethic.
8. Deven Marrero, SS, B
Marrero is excellent with the glove and will stick at short. If the bat comes around as was expected earlier in his career, he could rank much higher in the near future
9. Henry Owens, LHP, B
Owens has had a mixed showing so far this year. On the one hand he is striking out many more hitters than I expected, on the other, he is walking more than expected. His stuff is solid and he is very projectable, with great size. He is probably more of a mid rotation guy going forward, but given his 13 K/9 rate through 58.2 innings, his ceiling may be higher.
10. Brandon Workman, RHP, B-
Workman is a very good prospect, hailing from the University of Texas. He has mid rotation stuff and a workhorse body suggesting he will be a solid big league starter for years.
11. Pat Light, RHP, B-
12. Sean Coyle, 2B, B-
13. Jose Vinicio, SS, C+
14. Kolbrin Vitek, 3B, C+
15. Cody Kukuk, LHP, C+
16. Williams Jerez, OF, C+
17. Ty Buttrey, RHP, C+
18. Austin Maddox, RHP, C+
19. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, C+
20. Alex Wilson, RHP, C+
21. Drake Britton, LHP, C+
22. Keith Couch, RHP, C+
23. Alex Hassan, OF, C+
24. Jeremy Hazelbaker, OF, C+
25. Heiker Meneses, INF, C+
26. Francellis Montas, RHP, C+
27. Kendrick Perkins, OF, C+
28. Noe Ramirez, RHP, C+
29. Manuel Margot, OF, C+
30. Raymel Flores, SS, C+
2012 Draft Review: Boston Red Sox
Overall Draft Grade: B
The Sox went fairly conservative at the top of their draft with three straight college selections, but the trio of Marrero, Johnson and Light provide varying levels of upside and safety. Austin Maddox and Ty Buttrey are definitely good values in the 3rd and 4th round respectively and this pitcher-heavy crop definitely brought a lot of talent on the mound into the system. There's not too much to get excited about at the plate here, but Marrero is worth following to see if his bat pans out at the next level. They made some risky later round selections and it will be interesting to see who, if any of them, they will be able to bring into the fold.
1st Round (24): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State University (JR), 6'1", 195, R/R
There's no doubt that Marrero can stick at short at the next level, with some even labeling his defense as Gold Glove caliber. He's an average runner at best, but has good instincts that make him solid on the bases. It's the bat that's the big question mark here, but if it develops and shows the potential it did during his freshman campaign, Marrero has a chance to be an impact player in Boston for years to come.
The Sox went fairly conservative at the top of their draft with three straight college selections, but the trio of Marrero, Johnson and Light provide varying levels of upside and safety. Austin Maddox and Ty Buttrey are definitely good values in the 3rd and 4th round respectively and this pitcher-heavy crop definitely brought a lot of talent on the mound into the system. There's not too much to get excited about at the plate here, but Marrero is worth following to see if his bat pans out at the next level. They made some risky later round selections and it will be interesting to see who, if any of them, they will be able to bring into the fold.
1st Round (24): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State University (JR), 6'1", 195, R/R
There's no doubt that Marrero can stick at short at the next level, with some even labeling his defense as Gold Glove caliber. He's an average runner at best, but has good instincts that make him solid on the bases. It's the bat that's the big question mark here, but if it develops and shows the potential it did during his freshman campaign, Marrero has a chance to be an impact player in Boston for years to come.
1st Round (31): Brian Johnson, LHP, Florida University (JR), 6'3", 230
Johnson is a surprising choice here as he has little upside and is more of a pitchability lefty at this point. He's a two-way guy at Florida and has had success on both sides of the ball. He throws four pitches that he can command with regularity, though none stand out as anything that will be more than average at the next level. He's a "safe" arm who could fill in the back end of a rotation.
Johnson is a surprising choice here as he has little upside and is more of a pitchability lefty at this point. He's a two-way guy at Florida and has had success on both sides of the ball. He throws four pitches that he can command with regularity, though none stand out as anything that will be more than average at the next level. He's a "safe" arm who could fill in the back end of a rotation.
Supplemental Round (37): Pat Light, RHP, Monmouth University (JR), 6'6", 215
Light is a very intriguing college righty with some good stuff to go along with an ideal pitchers frame and some present pitchability. His fastball sits in the 91-93 range, but he can crank it higher when he needs it. The secondary stuff is behind the fastball, but his curve looks to have good potential in the future. He goes right after hitters and throws strikes. Light is a solid arm that could find a place in the middle of the Boston rotation at the next level.
Light is a very intriguing college righty with some good stuff to go along with an ideal pitchers frame and some present pitchability. His fastball sits in the 91-93 range, but he can crank it higher when he needs it. The secondary stuff is behind the fastball, but his curve looks to have good potential in the future. He goes right after hitters and throws strikes. Light is a solid arm that could find a place in the middle of the Boston rotation at the next level.
2nd Round (87): Jamie Callahan, RHP, Dillon HS (SC), 6'2", 195
Callahan is a fairly projectable high school arm with the potential for at least two solid pitches at the next level. His fastball sits in the low-90s at the moment, but there may be a little bit left to project. Callahan throws a solid 12-6 curve, which flashes some potential as well and he also is working on a change-up. He's a classic projectable high school arm, one that could be very interesting if he works on his command over the next few years.
3rd Round (118): Austin Maddox, RHP, Florida University (JR), 6'4", 230
Maddox was a two-way guy at Florida and came in exlcusively as a hitter. That's changed entirely as of late this year and Maddox has shined as a power reliever for the Gators. He throws a heavy fastball that sits in the 92-94 range with some sink and he can even dial it up slightly faster than that if he needs to. His breaking stuff lags behind the power sinker, but it should be at least average and allow him to keep hitters from sitting on the fastball.
Callahan is a fairly projectable high school arm with the potential for at least two solid pitches at the next level. His fastball sits in the low-90s at the moment, but there may be a little bit left to project. Callahan throws a solid 12-6 curve, which flashes some potential as well and he also is working on a change-up. He's a classic projectable high school arm, one that could be very interesting if he works on his command over the next few years.
3rd Round (118): Austin Maddox, RHP, Florida University (JR), 6'4", 230
Maddox was a two-way guy at Florida and came in exlcusively as a hitter. That's changed entirely as of late this year and Maddox has shined as a power reliever for the Gators. He throws a heavy fastball that sits in the 92-94 range with some sink and he can even dial it up slightly faster than that if he needs to. His breaking stuff lags behind the power sinker, but it should be at least average and allow him to keep hitters from sitting on the fastball.
4th Round (151):Ty Buttrey, RHP, Providence Sr. HS (NC), 6'5", 205
Buttrey is a solid value at this slot and was widely regarded as one of the better high school arms in his class. He had a jump in velocity early this year and was touching the mid-90s with his fastball at some points. His curve looks good as well and has the potential to be solidly above-average. Like most high school arms, he has room to add a little more to his frame and could use some work on his overall command, but the stuff and projection are definitely there.
Buttrey is a solid value at this slot and was widely regarded as one of the better high school arms in his class. He had a jump in velocity early this year and was touching the mid-90s with his fastball at some points. His curve looks good as well and has the potential to be solidly above-average. Like most high school arms, he has room to add a little more to his frame and could use some work on his overall command, but the stuff and projection are definitely there.
5th Round (181): Mike Augliera, RHP, SUNY-Binghampton (SR), 6'2", 200
Looks like a signability pick here. Not much is available on his stuff, but he had an excellent K:BB ratio in 2012. Looks like the money from this slot will be spent bringing Buttrey into the system.
6th Round (211): Justin Haley, RHP, Fresno State University (JR), 6'5", 230
7th Round (241): Kyle Kraus, RHP, University of Portland (SR), 5'11", 185
8th Round (271): Nathan Minnich, 1B, Shepherd College (SR), 6'3", 245, L/R
9th Round (301): Michael Miller, SS, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (SR), 5'9", 170, R/R
10th Round (331): James Watkins, C, U.S. Military Academy (SR), 5'11", 185, R/R
Notable Later Round Selections
Round 15: Carson Fulmer, RHP, All Saint's Academy HS (FLA)
This Vandy recruit will in all likelihood be an extremely tough sign at this point. Regardless, he shows good stuff, including a fastball into the mid-90s already and good command.
Round 18: Shaq Green-Thompson, OF, Grant HS (CA)
Thompson ia a highly regarded Washington University football recruit and the number 1 safety in this year's class according to Rivals. He's ultra athletic and will reportedly sign with the Sox and play baseball as a summer job, while focusing on football in the fall.
Round 25: Khiry Cooper, OF, Nebraska University
Cooper was selected in the 5th round of the 2008 draft by the Angels, but turned that down to play both baseball and football at Nebraska. He did not even play baseball this year, but the Red Sox are taking a chance here.
Round 29: Alex Bregman, 2B, Albuquerque Academy HS (NM)
Bregman was considered a top 2 round talent before a broken finger this spring. We still did not believe that he would fall this far and looks to be a very tough sign here away from LSU.
Looks like a signability pick here. Not much is available on his stuff, but he had an excellent K:BB ratio in 2012. Looks like the money from this slot will be spent bringing Buttrey into the system.
6th Round (211): Justin Haley, RHP, Fresno State University (JR), 6'5", 230
7th Round (241): Kyle Kraus, RHP, University of Portland (SR), 5'11", 185
8th Round (271): Nathan Minnich, 1B, Shepherd College (SR), 6'3", 245, L/R
9th Round (301): Michael Miller, SS, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (SR), 5'9", 170, R/R
10th Round (331): James Watkins, C, U.S. Military Academy (SR), 5'11", 185, R/R
Notable Later Round Selections
Round 15: Carson Fulmer, RHP, All Saint's Academy HS (FLA)
This Vandy recruit will in all likelihood be an extremely tough sign at this point. Regardless, he shows good stuff, including a fastball into the mid-90s already and good command.
Round 18: Shaq Green-Thompson, OF, Grant HS (CA)
Thompson ia a highly regarded Washington University football recruit and the number 1 safety in this year's class according to Rivals. He's ultra athletic and will reportedly sign with the Sox and play baseball as a summer job, while focusing on football in the fall.
Round 25: Khiry Cooper, OF, Nebraska University
Cooper was selected in the 5th round of the 2008 draft by the Angels, but turned that down to play both baseball and football at Nebraska. He did not even play baseball this year, but the Red Sox are taking a chance here.
Round 29: Alex Bregman, 2B, Albuquerque Academy HS (NM)
Bregman was considered a top 2 round talent before a broken finger this spring. We still did not believe that he would fall this far and looks to be a very tough sign here away from LSU.
Red Sox Draft Strategy: An Overview
As we alluded to in the Cubs write-up, the Red Sox are very balanced when it comes to the top 10 rounds of the draft. In each of the last three years they have selected half high schoolers and half college players through the first ten. In 2009 and 2011, when they had an odd number of picks in the top 10 rounds, they wound up selecting 9 high school and 9 college guys through their first 18 picks. This year would appear to be different, however, not because of the amount of money and number of selections that they have, with 12 selections and $6.884 million to spend, but because Theo Epstein is no longer with the organization. The organization is still clearly in good hands with new GM Ben Cherington, who clearly knows what direction the organization wants to go has been working with the Red Sox since 1999. They have made it clear that they do not care about positions of need within the organization and go for the best player available, usually acquiring some of the best talent in the draft even without the highest selections.
Mock Draft Selections: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA) Walker Weickel, RHP, Olympia HS (FL) Travis Jankowski, OF, Stony Brook University
Mock Draft Selections: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA) Walker Weickel, RHP, Olympia HS (FL) Travis Jankowski, OF, Stony Brook University
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