It’s always difficult to try and predict which players are going to go
where in the draft, even in the first few picks, so when your team
doesn’t pick until #47, as the Sox do this year, predicting who they
will take is more or less impossible. I will however be looking at a few
of the plausible names that the Sox could be interested in, based on
rumors and past drafting tendencies. I’ll be focusing on college
pitching primarily, but also a few toolsy hitters who shouldn’t cost a
fortune.
Matt Andriese, RHP, UC Riverside:
Low 90’s fastball. Holds velocity deep into games. Power breaking ball with plus potential and average change. Decent command.
Andrew Chafin, LHP, Kent State:
Fastball sits low-90’s,
touching 95, wipeout slider, improving change. Missed 2010 season to
Tommy John surgery. Chafin sits atop my realistic wish list. Good potential as a mid to front end of rotation starter.
Adam Conley, LHP, Washington State:
Contact pitcher with heavy, sinking fastball and plus change. Breaking ball needs a lot of work.
Andrew Gagnon, RHP, Long Beach State:
Fastball can reach 94, but sits low-90’s. Throws a curve and slider,
which both need work, but show promise. Also has a fringe-average
change.
Grayson Garvin, LHP, Vanderbilt:
Fastball sits low-90’s, touching 95 at times, solid change, below
average breaking pitch. Limited upside due to lack of a put-away pitch. I
hope the Sox stay away.
Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Florida State:
Considered one of the
“safer” arms in the class. Fastball sits around 90, plus to plus-plus
change, average slider. Good command and pitchability.
Eric Johnson, RHP, Cal:
Fastball sits low-90’s topping out at 95. Mixes it with a knockout slider and inconsistent curve/change, though the change flashes good potential.
Charlie Lowell, LHP, Wichita State:
Fastball sits low-90’s but has touched mid-90’s. Hard slider and usable change give a solid three-pitch mix. Command needs work.
Anthony Meo, RHP, Coastal Carolina:
Plus fastball-breaking
ball combo but undeveloped change mean his future will probably be in
relief, though will likely be given a chance to start.
Josh Osich, LHP, Oregon State:
Very good fastball sits 93-94,
touching the upper 90’s. Good change and command. Developing breaking
pitch. Another who missed 2010 to TJ surgery.
Noe Ramirez, RHP, Cal State Fullerton:
Fastball sits 88-91, topping out at 93. Potential plus-plus change and average slider. Plus command and makeup. Great track record.
Chris Reed, LHP, Stanford:
Reed has been the popular name in “expert” mock drafts. He relieved in Stanford but is viewed as a potential starter due to solid three-pitch mix. Fastball sits low-90’s and has touched 96, with power slider and above average change.
Burch Smith, RHP, Oklahoma:
Good velocity on the fastball which can easily hit the mid-90’s. Curve, change and slider give him four potentially usable pitches, but all need work, as does his command.
Kyle Winkler, RHP, TCU:
Slightly undersized at 5-11, 205, but has a solid three-pitch mix of fastball, slider, change. Left his last start early with apparent elbow pain which could affect his draft status.
Tony Zych, RHP, Louisville:
Reliever with mid 90’s fastball that can touch 99. Slider needs work.