Meet the 2021 Red Sox draft class

Author Alex Barth

July 14th, 2021 6:00 AM

The three day Major League Baseball draft wrapped up late Tuesday afternoon. This year’s format featured 20 rounds, instead of the usual 40.

Sitting at the top of the draft, the Red Sox made headlines when they selected the consensus top prospect in the class, shortstop Marcelo Mayer. However, he was far from their only promising addition. Here’s a full look at the team’s 2021 draft class.

• 1st round, 4th overall: SS Marcelo Mayer, Eastlake HS (CA)

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  A five-tool, left-handed hitting shortstop, Mayer was the consensus top player in the draft heading into the weekend. For more on Mayer, click here. 

• 2nd round, 40th overall: OF Jud Fabian, Florida

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  Fabian’s potential scouting report reads a lot like a description of Jackie Bradley. He’s a power-hitting center fielder who can struggle to make contact at times, and defensively has a notable ability to track and get jumps on the ball. MLB.com had him projected as a first-round pick. Sec Tournament Florida Vs Kentucky

• 3rd round, 75th overall: 2B/OF Tyler McDonough, North Carolina State

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  McDonough began his college career as a catcher, before moving to second base, third base, and then the outfield. That positional versatility has drawn comparisons to Brock Holt. That versatility continues at the plate, where he’s a switch hitter. He’s from the same high school in Cincinnati that produced Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin.
• 4th round, 105th overall: RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, Leadership Christian Academy (PR)

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  The Red Sox’ first pitcher of the draft was the 6-foot-4 Cruz. He throws a mid-90’s fastball with movement that he pairs with a curveball and changeup. If he doesn’t sign with the Red Sox, he has a commitment to play for Oregon.

• 5th round, 136th overall: C Nathan Hickey, Florida

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  For the second time in five rounds, the Red Sox grabbed a player from the 13th ranked Gators. Hickey flew up draft boards this year as he hit .317 for Florida. Scouts love his advanced approach at the plate. However, there are questions about whether or not he’ll stick as a catcher in the pros, or move to the outfield. UFbaseballVs.USFReg03

• 6th round, 166th overall: SS Daniel McElveny, Bonita Vista High School (CA)

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  Grabbing a second California high school shortstop in the sixth round, the Red Sox took McElveny. He projects as a utility player at the next level, and is a contact hitter that can spray the ball around the diamond.
• 7th round, 196th overall: RHP Wyatt Olds, Oklahoma

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  After starting for the Sooners in 2021, Olds will likely transition to the bullpen when he gets into the Red Sox farm system. He throws a mid-to-high 90’s fastball, a slider, and a changeup.

• 8th round, 226th overall: RHP Hunter Dobbins, Texas Tech

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  Dobbins was projected to go higher entering the 2021 college baseball season, but tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery. Before his injury, he was throwing 98 MPH.

• 9th round, 256th overall: 3B Tyler Miller, Auburn

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  Much like the Patriots two months ago, the Red Sox leaned heavily into the SEC early in their draft. Miller entered college as a shortstop, and has spent time at just about every position on the diamond before settling at third base. While he sorts things out defensively, his bat should carry him. As a lefty, his pull power swing would play well at Fenway Park if he gets to that point. Alabama Baseball Versus Auburn
• 10th round, 286th overall: RHP Matt Litwicki, Indiana

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  There are some strong positives, as well as notable red flags when it comes to Litwicki. His fastball flirts with triple digits, and he throws a high spin-rate slider. He’s one of the older players in the draft, turning 23 in early August. Injuries have been a concern, and he had Tommy John Surgery early on in his collegiate career. If he stays healthy, he could find a place in the Red Sox’ bullpen.

• 11th round, 316th overall: 1B Niko Kavadas, Notre Dame

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  Kavadas was originally ranked as the 135th best prospect in the draft by MLB.com, so the Red Sox got some real value with this pick. The Notre Dame product led the Cape League in home runs in 2019, then hit 22 in 47 games for the Irish this spring.

• 12th round, 346th overall: RHP Christopher Troye, UC Santa Barbara

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  Troye split time between the rotation and bullpen in college, but will likely be a reliever in the pros. He doesn’t allow a ton of contact - for better or worse. During his three-year career at UCSB, he struck out 31 percent of the hitters he faced but walked 23 percent.
• 13th round, 376th overall: SS Zach Ehrhard, Wharton High School (FL)

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  Erhard won the 2021 Wade Boggs Award, given by Hillsborough County Florida to “to recognize outstanding athletic, academic, and community service achievements of a high school baseball player” each year.

• 14th round, 406th overall: RHP Jacob Webb, Miami (OH)

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  At 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, Webb has the frame of a power pitcher. A projected long reliever, he posted a 2.08 ERA in 39 innings over 18 appearances for the Redhawks this spring.

• 15th round, 436th overall: SS Payton Green, Green Hope High School (NC)

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  Ranked the 147th overall in this class by MLB.com, Green reportedly has a strong commitment to play at North Carolina State. If he signs, the Red Sox get a developing bat with high power upside.
• 16th round, 466th overall: 2B B.J Vela, Reedley Junior College

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  There’s not a ton of info on Vela, but he hit .481 with seven home runs in 27 games for the Reedley Tigers last year. At any level, those are impressive numbers.

• 17th round, 496th overall: RHP Luis Guerrero, Chipola College

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  Guerrero blew hitters away at the junior college level last year, with 95 strikeouts in 58 innings. He throws a mid-90’s fastball that he mixes with a curveball, slider, and splitter.

• 18th round, 526th overall: OF Phillip Sikes, TCU

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  Sikes has a strong base to build on with his solid ability to make contact and spray the ball, and his athletic defensive profile. He hit .329 for the Horned Frogs last season.
• 19th round, 556th overall: RHP Tyler Uberstine, Northwestern

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  The Red Sox added another college reliever, taking Uberstine in the 19th round. He had a 5.90 ERA in 39.2 innings last season for the Wildcats.

• 20th round, 586th overall: SS Josh Hood, Penn

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  Hood was the Ivy League Rookie of the Year, but hasn’t been able to play regularly since due to the Ivy League canceling games during the COVID pandemic in both 2020 and 2021. He is reportedly transferring to North Carolina State, but if he signs with the Red Sox instead, he’d certainly be an upside pick for the final round.

The Red Sox now have until Aug. 1 to negotiate with their draft picks. Any player not signed by then is eligible to go/return to college, and re-enter the draft next year.

MORE: What The Scouts Say About Marcelo Mayer

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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