Tag: mlb draft

Red Sox sign third-round pick Tyler McDonough for $831,100, per report

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)

Red Sox select Indiana University closer Matt Litwicki with No. 286 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected Indiana University right-hander Matt Litwicki with their 10th-round pick of the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 286 overall.

Litwicki, who turns 23 in early August, was regarded by Baseball America as the No. 213 prospect coming into the draft.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, the fiery right-handed reliever just wrapped up a sophomore season for the Hoosiers in which he posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in addition to 17 strikeouts and just two walks over 10 relief appearances spanning 12 innings of work.

He also overtook the team’s closer role in the process of converting four saves on the year.

Per his Baseball America scouting report, the Indiana native overpowered hitters this spring with a pitch arsenal that featured a 96-98 mph fastball, but left scouts and evaluators hungry for more on account of a limited workload.

“Litwicki has a sharp slider in the low 80s that he pairs with his heater and seems to have the stuff—and the delivery—of a bullpen arm at the next level,” his scouting report reads, “though his track record with Indiana is extremely limited, with just 31 1/3 total innings under his belt over the last three seasons.”

In selecting Litwicki, the Red Sox have taken their third college pitcher in this draft after picking Oklahoma’s Wyatt Olds in the seventh round and Texas Tech’s Hunter Dobbins in the eighth.

The recommended slot value for the 286th overall selection in this year’s draft is $148,400, though Litwicki could return to campus in Bloomington if he opted not to sign with the Sox.

That concludes Day 2 of the 2021 MLB first-year player draft, or at least BloggingtheRedSox.com’s coverage of it.

Of the nine picks Boston made on Monday, seven come from the college ranks, while just two (Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and Daniel McElveny) come from the prep ranks.

The third and final day of the draft will begin at 12 p.m. eastern time on Tuesday for Rounds 11 through 20. The Red Sox will be on the clock for picks 316, 346, 376, 406, 436, 466, 496, 526, 556, and 586.

(Picture of Matt Litwicki: Indiana University Athletics)

Red Sox select Auburn infielder Tyler Miller with No. 256 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected Auburn University infielder Tyler Miller with their ninth-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 256 overall.

Miller, 21, was regarded by Baseball America as the 397th-ranked prospect coming into the draft.

Previously selected by the Pirates in the 23rd round of the 2018 draft out of Spanish Fort High School, the Alabama native opted to attend East Mississippi Community College before transferring to Auburn for his sophomore year in 2020.

Most recently, the left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing Miller compiled a .313/.354/.601 batting line to go along with 10 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 61 RBI, 38 runs scored, three stolen bases, 15 walks, and 44 strikeouts over 51 games (231 plate appearances) with the Tigers this spring.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds, Miller is quite versatile, as he has seen time at left field, right field, shortstop, third base, and first base throughout his two-year career at Auburn.

According to his Baseball America scouting report, “Miller’s power went almost exclusively to the pull side this spring and it came with a strikeout rate close to 20%, but more concerning than those whiffs might be a lack of walks, as he took a free pass just 15 times in 231 plate appearances—a 6.5% walk rate that was towards the bottom for SEC hitters. Another potential concern is Miller’s ability to recognize and hit breaking stuff, as scouts noted that he struggled with those pitch types this spring and almost all of his impact came against fastballs.

“Miller has played a number of positions at Auburn, including third base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots, but spent almost all of his time at first this spring.”

Theoretically, Miller could return to Auburn for his senior season next spring, though it seems more likely than not that he will wind up signing with the Red Sox.

That said, the recommended slot value for the 256th overall pick in this year’s draft is approximately $160,300.

(Picture of Tyler Miller: Auburn University Athletics)

Red Sox select Texas Tech right-hander Hunter Dobbins with No. 226 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected Texas Tech University right-hander Hunter Dobbins with their eighth-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 226 overall.

Dobbins, primarily a reliever throughout his college career, missed the entirety of the 2021 season after suffering a UCL injury during the preseason that would ultimately require him to undergo year-ending Tommy John surgery.

Prior to that happening, though, the 21-year-old hurler had posted a 1.35 ERA and 1.10 WHIP to go along with 25 strikeouts to just five walks over six outings (three starts) spanning 20 total innings of work with the Red Raiders in 2020.

A native of Bryan, Texas, Dobbins is the son of former minor-league pitcher Lance Dobbins, who spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Dobbins was topping out at 98 mph with his fastball prior to getting hurt earlier this year. He does have the option to return to Texas Tech for his junior year if he so chooses since he does have at least two years of eligibility remaining.

In selecting Dobbins, the Red Sox have drafted their second straight college pitcher out of the Big 12 after taking Oklahoma’s Wyatt Olds with their lone seventh-round selection.

The recommended slot value for 226th overall pick in this year’s draft is approximately $188,900.

(Picture of Hunter Dobbins: Texas Tech Athletics)

Red Sox select University of Oklahoma right-hander Wyatt Olds with No. 196 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected University of Oklahoma right-hander Wyatt Olds with their seventh-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 196 overall.

Olds, who turns 22 next month, was regarded by Baseball America as the No. 420 prospect coming into the draft. He is the first and only college pitcher the Red Sox have selected so far.

Listed at 6-foot and 183 pounds, the Oklahoma native just wrapped up a junior season with the Sooners in which he posted a 5.23 ERA and 1.36 WHIP while recording 101 strikeouts and 37 walks over 19 appearances (11 starts) spanning 75 2/3 innings of work this spring.

Per his Baseball America scouting report, Olds — who was not drafted out of high school — began the 2021 campaign in Oklahoma’s starting rotation, but ultimately moved to the bullpen on account of prolonged struggles.

“Olds’ lower arm slot can make it hard for hitters to pick up the ball, and he misses bats, but he also misses the strike zone,” his scouting report reads. “He has a long arm action that he has struggled to repeat consistently, especially in longer stints. His fastball picked up a tick after his move to the bullpen, as he went from sitting 91-94 mph to sitting 93-96 and touching 97.

“Evaluators already saw Olds as a likely reliever in pro ball and his 2021 season only further confirmed that suspicion. As a reliever, Olds can rely on his fastball/slider pairing, both of which play as above-average offerings in shorter stints. His slider is a power pitch (85-88 mph) with some tilt. As a reliever, he doesn’t have to use his well below-average changeup that he threw as a starter.”

While it certainly appears as though Olds projects to be a reliever at the pro level as opposed to a starter, the young righty does have the option to return to campus if he so chooses.

That said, the recommended slot value for the 196th overall selection in this year’s draft is $239,000, so perhaps he and the Red Sox can get a deal done based off that figure.

(Picture of Wyatt Olds: Paxson Haws/The Daily)

Red Sox select Bonita Vista High School utility man Daniel McElveny with No. 166 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected Bonita Vista High School (Calif). utility man Daniel McElveny with their sixth-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 166 overall.

McElveny, 18, is listed at 6-foot and 190 pounds and is currently committed to play college baseball at San Diego State University.

A right-handed hitter who also throws with his right hand, McElveny played his high school baseball right down the road from where Red Sox first-round pick Marcelo Mayer did in Southern California.

Per his MaxPreps page, McElveny posted an impressive .435/.580/.764 slash line to go along with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs, 22 RBI, 37 runs scored, 23 stolen bases, 20 walks, and 15 strikeouts over 29 games (119 plate appearances) played during his senior season at Bonita Vista.

While there is not much information out there on McElveny, he is apparently versatile given the fact he has experience in both the infield and outfield and is listed as a utility player on MLB.com.

According to Perfect Game, the California native is the 475th-ranked prospect in this year’s draft class, ranking 89th among shortstops. His scouting report from Perfect Game, which was written sometime last year, goes as follows:

“Strong athletic build with broad shoulders and the chance to get stronger. Right handed hitter, hits from a straight stance with good balance and direction through contact, very good present bat speed, line drive swing plane and showed the ability to create back spin and carry to the gaps, has loose fast hands through the ball and plenty of extension for future power. 6.81 runner in the sixty. Played both infield and outfield on defense, primary infielder with solid overall athleticism, big arm strength from both positions with true on line carry, is short and quick with his transfers. Well balanced combination of skills and tools with a chance to play a premium defensive position.”

McElveny, who does not turn 19 until next April is the second prep position player the Red Sox have drafted alongside Mayer.

The recommended slot value for the 166th overall pick in this year’s draft is approximately $306,800, so it should be interesting to see if the Sox can sway McElveny to sign as opposed to honoring commitment to San Diego State.

(Picture of Red Sox logo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Red Sox select University of Florida catcher Nathan Hickey with No. 136 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected University of Florida catcher Nathan Hickey with their fifth-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 136 overall.

Hickey, 21, was regarded by Baseball America as the No. 132 prospect headed into the draft, ranking 10th among all eligible catchers.

Listed at 6-foot and 205 pounds, the left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing backstop was college teammates at Florida with Red Sox second-round selection Jud Fabian.

In his second season with the Gators this spring, which was technically his freshman season on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hickey slashed .317/.435/.522 with 15 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 50 RBI, 40 runs scored, one stolen base, 42 walks, and 40 strikeouts over 60 games spanning 278 plate appearances.

Per his Baseball America scouting report, the Jacksonville, Fla. native is well-regarded when it comes to his offensive game, but questions arise when it comes to what he is capable of doing behind the plate.

“Hickey hammers fastballs and has done well with 93-plus mph velocity this spring and tries to access his easy plus raw power with a leveraged and steep uphill swing path,” his scouting report reads. “That’s allowed him to do damage to his pull side on pitches middle and down, but there is a hole at the top of the zone that better pitchers might be able to expose more often. A good feel for the strike zone and a willingness to take walks should take some of the pressure off of Hickey’s pure bat-to-ball skills.

“A team that thinks Hickey can stick behind the plate might like his bat among the top-50 picks in the draft, but most of the industry seems to think he’ll have to move off the position at the next level. His arm is more serviceable than above-average or plus and he needs plenty of work as a receiver and blocker to get to even fringe-average defensive ability.”

While he is listed as a catcher, Hickey does have limited experience at both corner infield positions, as he played four games at first base and five games at third base for the Gators this spring.

And because of his status as a quote-unquote freshman, Hickey has at least two years of eligibility remaining, so he could certainly return to campus in Gainesville if he so chooses.

That said, the recommended slot value for the 136th overall pick in this year’s draft is $410,100, so it will be interesting to see if the Red Sox will be able to reach an agreement with Hickey — the first catcher they have drafted this year — sooner rather than later.

(Picture of Nathan Hickey: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Red Sox select Puerto Rican right-hander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz with No. 105 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected Leadership Christian Academy (Puerto Rico) with their fourth-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 105 overall.

Rodriguez-Cruz, who turns 18 next month, is listed at 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds. The lanky righty is currently committed to play his college baseball at the University of Oregon.

Per ProspectsLive.com, Rodriguez-Cruz — a native of Trujillo Alto, which is only 11 miles north of Alex Cora’s hometown of Caguas — “makes it look extremely easy on the mound” with “smooth, repeatable mechanics.”

ProspectsLive.com had the young hurler as its 348th-ranked draft prospect, while Perfect Game USA had him as one of the top young right-handers coming out of Puerto Rico in this year’s draft.

“Long and slender build with long arms and legs, extremely projectable physically,” Rodriguez’s cruz Perfect Game scouting report from earlier this year reads. “High leg lift delivery, gets back over his lower half and coils well, arm and body are on time and he creates big arm speed through release with plus extension.

“Fastball worked up to 94 mph with big life at times, not much effort to create plus velocity, works fastball to glove side most of the time, held his velocity very well out of the stretch. Curveball had sharp biting action and some depth, can see him shortening it up for a power slider in the future. Quality change up with late dive and good arm speed generated plenty of bad swings. Very high ceiling young pitching talent.”

In Rodriguez-Cruz, the Red Sox have selected their first pitcher in the 2021 draft after taking three position players (Marcelo Mayer, Jud Fabian, Tyler McDonough) in the first three rounds.

The recommended slot value for the 105th pick is approximately $554,300.

Boston will once again be on the clock for pick No. 136, so stay tuned for that.

(Picture of Red Sox logo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Red Sox select versatile North Carolina State second baseman Tyler McDonough with No. 75 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected North Carolina State second baseman/outfielder Tyler McDonough with their third-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 75 overall.

McDonough, 22, was regarded by Baseball America as the No. 127 prospect headed into the draft.

Listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, the Ohio native proved to be a versatile fielder in his time with the Wolfpack.

This past season alone, McDonough saw time at center field (50 games) and third base (six games) in addition to some past experience at second base.

Over the course of the 55 games he played for North Carolina State this spring, the switch-hitter posted an impressive .339/.423/.631 slash line to go along with 21 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 45 RBI, 13 stolen bases, 33 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 267 total trips to the plate.

Per his Baseball America scouting report, McDonough “doesn’t jump out at you with loud tools, but he’s become a player who scouts appreciate the more they watch him” as “he does everything on the field at a high level” and has a certain appeal to him.

“McDonough controls the zone well, doesn’t swing and miss much and takes his share of walks, and this season he hit a career-high 15 homers,” his scouting report reads. “Scouts have said those homers have come with a longer swing and more aggressive hacks, and his 17% strikeout rate was the highest of his career, which shows a slight shift in his approach. McDonough has spread his homers all over the field and his exit velocities are impressive for a player of his size, so perhaps solid power will be part of his game at the next level as well.

“McDonough has spent most of his time in center field for the Wolfpack, but he has the defensive versatility to play all over the place, including second base, third base and perhaps even shortstop in a pinch. He’s a better runner underway than he is out of the box and went 30-for-36 (83%) over his career in stolen base attempts.”

Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo projected McDonough to come off the board in the second-to-fourth round range, and that is what winds up happening as Boston selects the right-handed thrower with their lone third-round selection.

As a junior who does not turn 23 until next April, McDonough does have some flexibility in that he could return to campus if he wanted to since he does have at least one year of eligibility remaining.

With that being said, the recommended slot value for the 75th overall pick in this year’s draft is $831,100, so it should be interesting to see if a deal between McDonough and the Red Sox — whose drafting efforts are led by chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and amateur scouting director Paul Toboni, among others — can be agreed upon sometime in the near future.

(Picture of Tyler McDonough: NC State Athletics)

Red Sox select University of Florida outfielder Jud Fabian with No. 40 pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected University of Florida outfielder Jud Fabian with their second-round pick in the 2021 MLB first-year player draft at No. 40 overall.

Fabian, 20 was regarded by Baseball America as the No. 27 prospect heading into the draft, ranking sixth among college position players.

There was a point in time not too long ago — before the college baseball season started — where it looked as though Fabian, a native of Florida, could be a potential top-five pick this summer, but an up-and-down sophomore season with the Gators resulted in his stock dropping a bit.

Over 59 games (269 plate appearances) with Florida this spring, the right-handed hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder slashed .249/.364/.560 with 10 doubles, 20 home runs, 46 RBI, 51 runs scored, six stolen bases, 40 walks, and 79 strikeouts.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Fabian enrolled at Florida a year early in 2019 after skipping his senior season at Trinity Catholic High School (Ocala, Fla.), making him one of the younger college prospects in the draft.

Per his Baseball America scouting report, Fabian — who does not turn 21 until late September — “teams [had] plenty of concerns about his pure feel for hitting and his high strikeout rates” this spring.

“He entered the year with question marks about his swing and miss against spin but has whiffed more than 30% against each pitch type,” Fabian’s scouting report reads. “Fabian has attempted to make some tweaks mechanically to cut down on his strikeouts, removing a leg kick in two-strike counts which did help him lower his strikeout rate, but it’s still higher than the 25% mark teams generally prefer with first-round bats. Fabian does have solid bat speed and plus raw power that has translated mostly to the pull side, but he’s hit a few impressive homers over the right-field fence as well.

“Fabian should have no issues handling center field and playing it at a high level defensively at the next level. He’s an above-average runner but what makes him a special defender are his defensive instincts, first step, reads off the bat, athleticism and arm strength. He’s at least a plus defender in the outfield and some scouts have gone as far as putting double-plus grades on his glove, making him one of the best defensive center fielders in the 2021 draft class.”

Because of his age and the fact that he has two years of eligibility left, Fabian has plenty of leverage when it comes to negotiating his signing price.

According to FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen and Kevin Goldstein, some within the industry feel as though the young slugger “might go back to school if he doesn’t go in the first round.”

Longenhagen and Goldstein also noted earlier this month that Fabian partook in a private workout conducted by the Red Sox that included the likes of Henry Davis and Brady House.

With all that being said, the recommended slot value for the 40th overall selection in this year’s draft is approximately $1,856,700, while the Red Sox — whose drafting efforts are led by chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and amateur scouting director Paul Toboni, among others — have approximately $11,359,600 in total bonus pool space to work with when it comes to signing their picks.

While it’s unclear at the moment if Fabian will sign with Boston or return to campus in Gainesville, one thing is for certain: the Red Sox will be on the clock again when it is time for pick No. 75 to be made.

(Picture of Jud Fabian: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)