2005 draft provided easy pickings for Sox

Michael Bowden's victory over the Chicago White Sox last Saturday provided more than just a successful major league debut. It marked a clean sweep for the Red Sox from the 2005 draft: All five first-round picks have made it to the big leagues.

That draft, and the subsequent progress in the minor leagues of the players involved, represents perhaps the crowning achievement of general manager Theo Epstein's scouting and development staff. Boston was in the rare position of having five selections among the top 47, three of them sandwich-round picks (technically first-rounders) it got as compensation for lost free agents, such as Pedro Martínez.

The Sox' first pick, at No. 23, was Jacoby Ellsbury. He was followed by Craig Hansen (26), Clay Buchholz (42), Jed Lowrie (45), and Bowden (47).

An analysis of that draft reveals just how prescient the Red Sox were. Of the 48 first-round picks, 25 have not made it to the big leagues. That list includes 10 players selected prior to Ellsbury - all intensely scouted individuals who commanded large signing bonuses. In time, some of those players might emerge as major league stars, but for now, the Sox' 5 for 5 represents an impressive feat.

The successful maturation of young, home-grown players has advantages that go beyond the individual contributions they make to the big league club. They can provide trade bait for more established players (Hansen was part of the package that brought Jason Bay from Pittsburgh). And since they are not yet arbitration-eligible, the young players also keep a team's budget in check, allowing for the acquisition of expensive talent.

Boston's success with first-rounders has not always been so glittering. From 1995-2000, the Red Sox had 10 first-round selections (including sandwich picks). Only four have gotten to the big leagues. None of the four - pitcher Chris Reitsma (1996), shortstop Adam Everett (1999), pitcher Casey Fossum (1999), and pitcher Phil Dumatrait (2000) - has emerged as anything resembling a standout. Only Fossum appeared in a big league game for the Sox.

Nava a champ

If Dustin Pedroia holds on to his current place atop the American League in hitting, he will become the second member of the Sox organization to win a batting title in 2008. The first was outfielder Daniel Nava of the Lancaster JetHawks, Boston's Single A affiliate in the California League.

Just one year removed from playing in the independent Golden Baseball League, Nava won the California crown with a .341 average. He barely got the required plate appearances, returning in the final week from an oblique injury. Lancaster batted him leadoff in the regular-season finale Monday, and his five plate appearances put him over the top.

A couple of other Sox minor leaguers came close to claiming Louisville Slugger Awards as batting champions. At Triple A in the International League, Pawtucket's Joe Thurston tied for second with Norfolk's Oscar Salazar (now of the Orioles) at .316. Randy Ruiz of Rochester, currently playing for the Minnesota Twins, won the crown at .320.

At Double A in the Eastern League, Zachary Daeges of the Portland Sea Dogs tied for fourth at .307. Current Baltimore Oriole Lou Montanez won the title - and the Eastern League Triple Crown - batting .335 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs.

Not an expansion team

When the Sox optioned Jonathan Van Every to Pawtucket Wednesday, their major league roster reverted temporarily to the pre-September limit of 25. There has been no rush to expand, though teams are permitted to boost rosters to 40 in September. Other teams in the AL East had already liberated some locker space. As of yesterday, Tampa Bay had 28 players, New York 29, Toronto 30, and Baltimore 31.

One reason Boston has held tight is that some prominent big league players are coming off the disabled list. Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, and Sean Casey are expected to be activated for tonight's game in Texas. Secondarily, both of Boston's top minor league clubs, Pawtucket and Portland, are in the playoffs. While the success of the big league team is paramount in all decisions concerning transactions, the ability to perform in a pressure-filled playoff series is considered part of player development.

What's in a name?

Who was the most intriguing September call-up from a Red Sox perspective? That's easy: Pitcher Billy Buckner of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

No relation.