Kelly signs, volunteers to play two positions

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The University of Tennessee lost a quarterback yesterday, while the Red Sox gained a shortstop. Or a pitcher. Or both.

The Sox signed their No. 1 draft pick, Casey Kelly, a two-sport star at Sarasota (Fla.) High School who had signed a letter of intent to play quarterback for Tennessee but whose baseball pedigree - his father, Pat, is a former big league catcher and current minor league manager - pointed to his coming to terms with Boston.

His signing was further complicated by a divided perspective on how Kelly can best serve the Sox. He played shortstop at Sarasota and wants to be an everyday player. The Sox project him as a pitcher, though general manager Theo Epstein said yesterday there was some difference of opinion internally on whether he had a better future as a shortstop or pitcher.

In the end, the Sox decided to give him an opportunity to try both, though playing shortstop, initially at least, will clearly take precedence.

Kelly, who already was in Fort Myers, Fla., working out on his own, will report to the Sox' Gulf Coast League entry there today, and will play shortstop.

Epstein said that because he is a relatively late signing, the plan will be for him to continue to play short in the fall instructional league.

"Pitching we will expose Casey to at the right time, in the right place, and in the right environment," said Epstein, adding that Kelly's pitching would not necessarily interrupt his development at shortstop.

Epstein would not say whether Kelly will pitch in spring training before next season, but that would appear to be a reasonable assumption, although a minicamp in advance of spring training is another potential avenue.

Kelly, who played shortstop when he was invited to work out at Fenway Park and doubled off the Monster in an intrasquad game with other draftees, sounded like an 18-year-old who preferred playing baseball to going to college, though he was a highly rated quarterback despite his senior season at Sarasota being interrupted by a staph infection.

"Baseball, it's always been my dream to put on that jersey," said Kelly, who soon will have the opportunity to play in a game against the GCL Reds, managed by his father, in his hometown.

The Sox also signed another shortstop, second-rounder Derrik Gibson, the high school player of the year in Delaware. He, too, will report to the GCL Sox, and scouting director Jason McLeod said that with Kelly in line to get most of the repetitions at short, Gibson may be moved to another position.

The Sox have signed their first five picks and 11 of their first 14. They did not announce Kelly's signing bonus, and as of last evening, his agent, John Courtright, had not responded to a telephone call. Gibson signed for $600,000, according to Baseball America. Three early-round picks have yet to sign - New Jersey high school outfielder Pete Hissey, Portmouth (R.I.) high school star Ryan Westmoreland, and Yale third baseman Ryan Lavarnway. Epstein said negotiations are ongoing.

Help from within

With two weeks before the July 31 trading deadline, there were strong indications that the Sox will not be a major player. Bullpen help ranks as the No. 1 priority, and with Justin Masterson being groomed to help out and Michael Bowden another possibility to help as a starter or reliever, the Sox are inclined to take their chances with what they have rather than overpaying for what might be available on the trade market . . . The Sox held a workout last night at the Big A in advance of the Angels series. Manager Terry Francona had an injection in his neck Wednesday to alleviate pain and numbness on his left side.

Gordon Edes can be reached at edes@globe.com.