2008 Red Sox Draft Tracker
| ROUND | OVERALL PICK | SELECTION |
| 1 | 30 | Casey Kelly
Position: SS/P Throws: R Bats: R Vitals: 6'3", 194 lbs., Sarasota HS, Sarasota, FL |
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The skinny: MLB.com says: "One of the better athletes in the class, whoever drafts Kelly will have to lure him from being a two-sport star at the University of Tennessee, where he is a quarterback recruit. Big and athletic, he has all the tools to play shortstop. The main question is whether he'll swing the bat well enough and that could determine his Draft status as a hitter. As a pitcher, he's a bit raw, but has the makings of three outstanding pitches and could be more intriguing to scouts on the mound." ESPN.com says: "Kelly is among the best athletes in the draft, a potential first-round pick as a pitcher and a definite one as a position player. He has a deep load, almost barring out front, but has good bat speed and his swing looks almost effortless, which is true of a lot of what Kelly does on the field. He doesn't show much power at present, but that should come into more as he fills out. Aside from hard stuff in on his hands, Kelly has good plate coverage. At shortstop, he has very soft hands, a plus arm and makes the transfer from glove to hand extremely easily; he could outgrow the position, but otherwise has the ability to stay there and be an above-average defender. On the mound, he sports an average fastball in the 89-92 mph range, a plus curveball with tight rotation and a sharp downward break, and above-average command and control; there are teams that prefer him on the mound, although most still see him as a hitter." BaseballAmerica.com says: "The Red Sox once again flexed their financial muscle with the final pick in the first round, scooping up talented high school righthander/shortstop Casey Kelly. Kelly was rumored to be in the mix in the top half of the first round as recently as this morning, but signability concerns helped him slide to the end of the round. Boston won't hesitate to open its wallet to sign him." The Baseball Analysts say: Kelly is an intriguing two-way player who prefers to play the field. A lot of scouts like Kelly, the son of former big leaguer Pat Kelly, because he has a low-to-mid 90s fastball and one of the best hammer curves in the draft. Offensively, he is athletic but raw and is a project. Currently, he is a shortstop but some feel he will outgrow the position and have to move to third. Kelly is committed to the University of Tennessee as both a shortstop and quarterback. (posted by Marc Hulet)" In an April interview, Kelly said, "'I do have an opportunity in June to get drafted....You just don't know. Some say you'll go in the first round, just like Matt Holiday, he signed to go to Oklahoma State and he was supposed to be a first rounder and he didn't get picked until the fifth round. There's a lot of scenarios we've been going over. You don't know really until that day. That's why I'm focusing on picking the college I want to go to for four years, and play football, play baseball and if everything works out it works out. Definitely getting a degree is very important. My focus has been on picking a college that fits me best.'" |
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| 1a | 45 | Bryan Price
Position: RHP Throws: R Bats: R Vitals: 6'4", 200 lbs., Rice University, Marble Falls, Texas |
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The skinny: In 2008, Price has put up an ERA of 3.65 in 44 1/3 innings, striking out 50 while walking 24. He started one game, and appeared in 26 others as a reliever. He gave up just two home runs.
ESPN.com says: "Price wasn't on any preseason prospect lists after throwing just 10.1 ineffective innings in 2007, posting a 7.84 ERA. His performance this year has still been inconsistent, but it's worlds better than last year's, and he has a chance to go in the first round and perhaps move into a starter's role in pro ball. Price has a solid two-pitch repertoire with a chance to add a third if his changeup improves. His fastball sits 93-94 mph with plus life, and he has reportedly touched 97 in a few short outings this year. His slider flashes plus, with good tilt and a short break, but his changeup is below-average, perhaps because he rarely uses it in a short-relief role. His arm works well with a short path that he repeats well, so there's good reason to think he'll develop better command and control down the road. One possible appeal to teams considering Price as a starter is the low mileage on his arm, as he has thrown just 40 innings total in 2007, including a very successful stint as a swingman in the Texas Collegiate League (29.2 innings, 49 strikeouts, 14 walks). On the downside, his arm is a little stiff coming around his body, and when he throws at the top end of his velocity his head snaps downward at release, which usually points towards a relief role or a chiropractor's table." The Baseball Analysts say: "Price had made some strides this season and could be one of the first college relievers taken on draft day. He has a nice sinking fastball that ranges from 89-94 mph. His slider can zip up to 87 mph but his change-up is below average, as is his command. Some teams may see enough in his three pitches to try him as a starter in pro ball. (Posted by Marc Hulet) Price was dialing his fastball up to 94-95 when I witnessed him in Long Beach a few months back. His slider is also a potential out pitch. I believe the big righthander projects as a two-pitch set-up man in the pros although, like Marc, would not be surprised if a team gives him a shot as a starter first." Soxprospects.com says: "Price languished for two years deep in the Rice bullpen, but has emerged this spring with a 95 mph fastball and mid 80s slider. His command can be erratic at times, mainly with his fastball." |
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| 2 | 77 | Derrik Gibson
Position: SS/P Throws: R Bats: R Vitals: 6'1", 170 lbs., Seaford HS, Seaford, Delaware |
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The skinny: Chosen as the 2006-2007 Delaware Baseball Player of the Year by Gatorade and RISE Magazine. He is a UNC commit, and has outstanding speed as well as talent on the mound. Along with Kelly, a member of the 2007 USA team at the National Amateur Baseball Federation Tournament of Stars.
From Scout.com: "Ranked by Perfect Game as the 101st overall prospect (high school and college) for the 2008 draft. Has had an outstanding fall playing for the Baltimore Orioles Scout Team. A great athlete that possesses great speed and a great throwing arm. Has been clocked as fast as 6.4 in the 60 yard dash. Has also shown great promise as a hitter." |
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| 3 | 85 | Stephen Fife
Position: RHP Throws: R Bats: R Vitals: 6'3", 210 lbs., University of Utah, |
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The skinny: Fife put up a solid 7-5 line along with a 3.72 ERA (2.72 in conference play) in 14 starts this year for the Utes. He struck out 78 batters while walking 38 over 92 innings, and held opponents to a team-low .252 batting average against. 2008 was the second season for Fife as a starter, after being converted from the bullpen part of the way through the 2007 season.
Baseball America said: "Good to know our instincts were correct on Utah righthander Stephen Fife, the pop-up Western college pitcher who goes early in the third round to the Red Sox (with the supplemental pick the Sox got for not signing 2007 second-rounder Hunter Morris). Ranking Fife at 57 was too ambitious and he lost a bit of his helium with his start in the Mountain West Conference tournament, but he goes at No. 85 overall, not bad for a Boise kid." |
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| 3 | 108 | Kyle Weiland
Position: RHP Throws: R Bats: L Vitals: 6'4", 195 lbs., Notre Dame, Eldorado, N.M. |
| The skinny: SoxProspects.com says: "91-95 mph fastball complemented by a plus low 80s slider. Pounds the zone, but has shown Inconsistent command. Struggled recovering from a broken collarbone sustained prior to the 2007 season. Demonstrated flashes of dominance during his freshman campaign at Notre Dame. Delivery lacks fluidity, likely not suited for a starter's role." | ||
| 4 | 142 | Peter Hissey Position: CF Throws: L Bats: L Vitals: 6'1", 180 lbs., Unionville (Pa.) HS, West Chester, Pa. |
| The skinny: SoxProspects.com says: "Speedy centerfielder with nice range and solid fundamentals. Overall, a great athlete. Below average power, projects as a doubles hitter without a ton of home run power. Above average plate discipline. Gritty, smart, and competitive. Committed to Virginia to play both baseball and basketball." | ||
| 5 | 172 | Ryan Westmoreland Position: CF Throws: R Bats: L Vitals: 6'2", 195 lbs., Portsmouth HS (R.I.) |
| The skinny: SoxProspects.com says: "Athletic local product was one of the top New England high school players in 2008. Slim, athletic build with the ability to add strength. Strong arm with nice outfield range. At the plate, 'Westy' has above average power potential with outstanding plate discipline. Good speed on the basepaths. Very intelligent, has a full ride to Vanderbilt. Also a great pitcher, he pitched a perfect game in April 2008, striking out 19 of 21 batters." | ||
| 6 | 202 | Ryan Lavarnway Position: C Throws: R Bats: R Vitals: 6'4", 225 lbs., Yale University, Woodland Hills, Calif. |
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The skinny: Batting .398 with a 1.365 OPS for Yale in 2008, and sported a 1.404 OPS in 2007.
SoxProspects.com says: "Intelligent catcher with plus power. Makes great contact, outstanding plate discipline. Slightly closed stance. Catching skills are a bit undeveloped, but he has a soft glove with a strong arm. His release is a little slow and he's been inconstant with blocking balls in the dirt. Sturdy frame. That being said, he hasn't worn out his knees yet as he's only been a full time catcher for since 2007. Also plays OF. Team leader. Led NCAA in batting average in 2007." |
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| 7 | 232 | Tim Federowicz Position: C Throws: R Bats: R Vitals: 5'10", 213 lbs., U. of North Carolina, Apex, N.C. |
| The skinny: SoxProspects.com says: "Line drive hitter with decent power potential. Makes good contact, mediocre plate discipline. Behind the plate, Federowicz presently has average to above average skills, but has the tools to be a major league defensive catcher. Very strong arm with a quick release. Calls a good game and handles the pitching staff well. Below average speed (about about average speed for a catcher)." | ||
| For the Red Sox' picks from the eighth round and beyond, follow this link. | ||