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Zolak & Bertrand

Zolak & Bertrand

Zolak & Bertrand

Milliken: 5 names linked to the Red Sox ahead of the MLB Draft

By Tyler Milliken

While the MLB Draft doesn’t get the attention of the NFL or NBA’s version, it works in a similar way with countless mocks flooding in ahead of the 3-day event.

The Red Sox have the 14th overall pick in 2023 and have already been connected to a number of shortstops with strong hit tools. Not too surprising considering their selections of Nick Yorke, Marcelo Mayer, and Mikey Romero the last 3 years. Clearly a profile they like.

Just a reminder, you don’t pick for need in the MLB Draft. It’s about taking the best talent available. Shortstops often offer the most athleticism and versatility on the board, creating a wider range of opportunities for a player as he develops.

Here are 5 names being linked to the Red Sox right now through the outlets that cover the draft more than anyone.

  • 1. Matt Shaw, SS/2B, Maryland

    Over the last two weeks, MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo and Baseball America’s staff draft have both mocked Maryland SS/2B Matt Shaw to the Red Sox. There are fair questions as to whether he’ll stick at shortstop long-term because of his arm, but the bat is the strongest part of his profile. He has slashed .359/.467./743/1.210 in 56 games this season, with 23 homers and 20 doubles. Not to mention, 20 steals in 21 attempts.

    Along with making consistently loud contact, Shaw doesn’t strike out much either, with 48 walks to 38 strikeouts on the season. He’d give the Red Sox one of the elite college bats in the draft with a chance to move through the system quickly.

    Last summer, Shaw also brought home Cape Cod Baseball League MVP, becoming the first player from Maryland to accomplish the feat since Jim Norris in 1969.

  • 2. Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford

    Keith Law from The Athletic just put out his first mock of draft season, and he has the Red Sox taking Stanford shortstop Tommy Troy with the 14th pick. Troy doesn’t carry the same thump with his bat as Shaw, but he’s done nothing but hit this season with a slash line of .404/.485/.720/1.205. That includes 13 homers and 14 doubles in 45 games, while locking down the Pac-12 batting title yesterday.

    Troy does have a knack for his bat-to-ball skills and ability to make loud contact, but there are questions about how his plate approach will translate to professional baseball. Still, he made progress this season with his walk total being the highest of his college career at 26 compared to 29 strikeouts.

    After getting drafted, Troy will likely have a chance to prove himself as a shortstop, but scouts view his long-term home as a second baseman or maybe a center fielder. There’s some solid speed to his game as well, with 16 steals in 17 attempts this season.

  • 3. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Monsignor Bonner High

    Unlike the first two names on this list, Kevin McGonigle is a high school shortstop, but he carries a similar profile headlined by his hit tool. Baseball America had him going to the Red Sox in their first mock draft back in March, and Keith Law mentioned him as a potential fit as well. He’s put on a show during his senior season, batting .474/.647/.894/1.542 with 7 homers, 5 doubles, and 2 triples.

    McGonigle carries similar defensive questions, with many seeing his future home at second base, but his hit tool should still play just fine at the position. He models himself off of Chase Utley, which is clear with his high baseball IQ. Despite being an average runner, that IQ allows him to make an impact on the basepaths.

    There are some concerns about how much power McGonigle will flash in professional baseball, but he’s shown extra-base and over the fence ability so far. He would mark 4 striaght drafts of the Red Sox taking a prep shortstop.

  • 4. Chase Davis, OF, Arizona

    Chase Davis has seen his stock skyrocket in recent months, as he’s shown the skills of an impact hitter with the chance to stick in center field. FutureStarSeries.com has him mocked to the Red Sox in their latest piece, which isn’t overly surprising considering some of the similarities he has to 2022 3rd-rounder Roman Anthony.

    Davis was a Top 100 prospect ahead of the 2020 draft before going to the University of Arizona. He’s made strides over the last 3 years at the plate, with a big breakout of .368/.496/.751/1.247 and 19 homers in 52 games this season. His plate approach has made massive strides as well, with more walks (40) than strikeouts (38) on the year.

    There’s definite risk with this type of college bat in a breakout year, but Davis’ set of tools has a chance to produce an impressive ceiling. Swing resembles former Rockies star Carlos Gonzalez.

  • https://twitter.com/mason_mcrae/status/1653293514602561538?s=20

  • 5. Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida

    There’s been a select group of Red Sox fans hoping for the Red Sox to take an arm in the first-round, and Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline has them taking Hurston Waldrep 14th overall. He brings a power three-pitch mix to the table, with a 95-99 MPH fastball, a split-change that might be his best secondary, and a hard upper-80s slider. So far this season, he has served as the Gators’ Saturday starter.

    The biggest complaint surrounding Waldrep has been his control this season. It’s led to a bloated 4.83 ERA with a rough 5.2 BB/9 across 14 starts (72.2 IP). Yet, his stuff has continued to play in a big way with a 13.6 K/9.

    There’s work to do with ironing out his mechanics, but the arsenal makes it more than worth it. Just comes down to whether the organization that drafts him has the pitching development to help him reach his ceiling.

  • https://twitter.com/UFBarstool/status/1642321796002201600?s=20

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