This year’s amateur draft is slightly different than what we’ve been used to, as the Red Sox have no first round picks, and their first selection is #55 overall. 

Here is a quick overview of how the Sox drafted on Day 1.

1. (#55) Nicholas Hagadone, LHP, University of Washington
Hard-throwing lefty was his team’s closer this season, but was a starter before that.  Scouting director Jason McLeod mentioned yesterday that they’d like Nick to start.  Has a plus fastball, plus breaking ball, and a big pitcher’s frame.

2. (#62) Ryan Dent, SS, CA HS
Athletic, possible 5-tool player.  Draws comparisons to Rafael Furcal (minus Raffy’s penchant for booze).  Signed a letter of intent to UCLA, so the Sox will need to make it worthwhile.

3. (#84) Jeffrey Morris, 3B, AL HS
This type of player gives Boston scouting directors a raging hard-on: a big power hitter with plate discipline.  Still very raw but with a powerful frame (6′4″, 200 lbs), the young slugger set the Alabama state record for walks in a season last year.  Has committed to Auburn University. 

4. (#114) Brock Huntzinger, RHP, IN HS
Dominated the Indiana high school circuit with a microscopic 0.27 ERA in his senior year.  Hard thrower with a mid-90’s heater and a slider.  Will likely be an easier sign than the two guys above. 

5. (#144) Christopher Province, RHP, Southeastern Louisiana University
Another fireballer, this one a reliever.  Didn’t have the best statistics, but features a fastball that touches 97 MPH and an improving slider in the high-80’s.

6. (#174) William Middlebrooks, 3B/RHP, TX HS
A double-threat high schooler, the Sox reportedly like him as an infielder, despite his 94 MPH fastball.  Has the makings of a heavy-hitting third baseman.  Might be a tough sign, as he is a 4.0 student committed to Texas A&M, and would be a punter on the Aggies football team.

Overall, it looks like the Sox were high school heavy in the early stages of the draft, which, to be honest, I prefer.  I’m a big fan of the steep convexity on the draftee yield curve, provided by the talented high school kids, the tough signs (think Lars Anderson and Michael Bowden). 

It might be risky, it might not be the Moneyball way, but a team like the Sox can afford the risk.