BOSTON (AP) – Don’t expect the Boston Red Sox to get as excited about high school players in the draft as NBA teams do in their draft.
Theo Epstein takes part Tuesday in his first draft as general manager of the Red Sox, with a greater emphasis on college prospects than the team had in the past.
So while high school player Lebron James is expected to be the first pick in the NBA draft this month – and make an immediate contribution to his new team – baseball prospects take longer to develop.
That process can be shortened by choosing players who already have produced in college.
“We’re not going to get into too much of our draft philosophy,” Epstein said. “We do have a presumption (that) all things being equal, we favor the college pitcher over the high school pitcher and the college batter over the high school batter.”
The Red Sox are in a position to stock up on talent for their weak minor-league system with four picks among the top 54. They have the 17th and 54th picks and added two others – the 32nd and 49th – as compensation when Cliff Floyd signed as a free agent with the New York Mets.
Their first pick last year was 57th overall.
That was pitcher Jon Lester, now 19, from Bellarmin High School in Washington. This season with Single-A Augusta, the left-hander is 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA in nine games, all starts, and Boston is still high on him.
In 2001, Boston’s top pick was catcher Kelly Shoppach, a collegian from Baylor. This year he’s hitting .312 with Double-A Portland. He’s the only college player the Red Sox took with their first pick in the last five years.
“College players are safer gambles because you know more about their performance history,” Epstein said.
Two possible top picks for the Red Sox both for the University of Houston – starter Brad Sullivan and reliever Ryan Wagner.
The team’s greatest needs appear to be pitchers and outfielders. They already have good infield prospects, including shortstop Hanley Ramirez and third baseman Kevin Youkilis.
David Chadd, Boston’s director of amateur scouting, said preparing for the draft has been a team effort.
“We started this process way back in December at the organizational meetings,” Chadd said. “We laid out a plan. We’re following a plan.”
At this stage, Epstein said, “our philosophy is a little more fine-tuned now, which allows us to focus on players we want to pick.”
And that includes more than just the top four choices.
“We have a tremendous opportunity here to have a very productive draft because, unlike last year when we didn’t take until 57th in the country” the Red Sox have much better picks, Epstein said.
“We have a chance to make a real impact with the organization, not only with those picks but the whole draft.”
AP-ES-06-02-03 1751EDT
Send questions/comments to the editors.
