The Red Sox have signed third-round draft pick Tyler McDonough, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo.
Per Cotillo, McDonough — a second baseman out of North Carolina State — will sign with the Sox for $831,100.
McDonough, 22, was selected by Boston with the 75th overall pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft on Monday afternoon.
The recommended slot value for the 75th overall selection in this year’s draft was $831,100, meaning the young infielder will sign for full slot value, as Cotillo noted.
Coming into the week as Baseball America’s 127th-ranked draft-eligible prospect, McDonough is listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds and proved to be a versatile weapon in his time with North Carolina State.
This past season alone, the switch-hitting junior slashed an impressive .339/.423/.631 to go along with 21 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 45 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases across 55 games (267 plate appearances) for the Wolfpack while seeing playing time in both center field and at third base. He has prior experience at second base as well.
A product of the same high school that produced the likes of Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin in Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, McDonough — an Ohio native — did not waste any time in going pro, as he could have opted to return to campus in Raleigh for his senior season if he so chose.
Per his MLB Pipeline scouting report, McDonough draws a comparison to former Red Sox utility man and fan favorite Brock Holt for the way he goes about his business on the field.
“A switch-hitter, McDonough was more of a hit-over-power guy in the past but has gotten stronger and is driving the ball more consistently this spring, especially against left-handers,” his scouting report reads. “He has taken a more aggressive approach but still controls the strike zone well and could develop into a .270 hitter with 15 homers per season. He has slowed a bit as he has added muscle but still has solid speed and good savvy on the bases.
“McDonough’s quickness and instincts also translate into range in center field, where he’s a solid defender. He has an average arm and may profile best in a super-utility role where he’d shuttle between all three outfield spots as well as second and third base as needed. Scouts love his makeup and compare his game to those of grinders Adam Eaton and Brock Holt.”
Since he is coming out of college, one would have to wonder if McDonough will be assigned to Low-A Salem out of the gate, though he certainly could start out for the Florida Complex League Red Sox in Fort Myers depending on what the club wants to do with him.
(Picture of Tyler McDonough: NC State Athletics)
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