After two straight years of selecting a high school/prep player with their first pick in the amateur draft, the Red Sox took a different approach in 2010, selecting polished college players with their first three picks.
Pick #1 (#20 overall): Kolbrin Vitek
Ball State University
Projected Position: 3B
Vitek, who played 2B in college, was rumored to be a possible top 10 pick before the San Diego Padres passed on him for someone else.
He’s an advanced, well-rounded player who hits well and runs well, and could conceivably be the Red Sox starting third baseman in two years. Reports indicate that the Sox have a verbal agreement in place with Vitek, who is anxious to start playing the in the minors.
Pick #2 (#36 overall):
Bryce Brentz
Middle Tennessee State
Projected Position: RF
With Brentz, the Sox are taking a chance on someone whose stock dropped a bit due to concerns over a fractured ankle. Two years ago, Brentz hit an other-worldly .465/.535/.930 before his injury, and managed to hit “only” .348/.440/.636 in 2009.
Brentz could bloom into a decent power hitter at the MLB level, but from what I’ve read, he’s certainly less of a sure thing than someone like Vitek. All indications are that Brentz will also sign quickly and begin his career in the low minor leagues relatively soon.
Pick #3 (#39 overall)
Anthony Ranaudo
LSU
Projected Position: SP
The main difference between Ranaudo and those two picks above is manifested in a loathsome balding fellow wearing an expensive suit (Scott Boras). Ranaudo is begin advised by Boras, who will likely try to push the negotiation process out until the mid August deadline, in order to squeeze as much out of the deal as possible.
With all that being said, the Sox aren’t really prone to be scared off from Boras’ demands if they feel that the player is worth the trouble, so I don’t think there’s too much to worry about in that regard.
Ranaudo is another pick who fell in the draft due to injury concerns, in addition to his signability issues. He’s had elbow problems, but is one of the best college power pitchers available in the draft, and could be a huge steal at #39.
Keep checking in as I’ll continue to monitor the remaining rounds, and report on some notable players drafted by the Sox.