For those of you who recall our Red Sox draft preview from earlier this week, you should have found yourself none too surprised by either of the club’s top two selections. The team addressed needs at LHP and SS with their picks.
There has been no more prominent theme to the 2007 draft than teams infatuation with LHPs. The Sox did well to snag lefty Nick Hagadone from the Washington Huskies with their first choice, 55th overall. Hagadone is a 6’5″ southpaw with plus velocity on his heater. Big Nick has regularly sat 90-93 mph and has been known to reach back and hit 95 when necessary. He has potential for three major league pitches and will certainly be an imposing figure to those who face him in the batters box.
With their next choice the Sox had one of the players I profiled earlier, SS / 2B Ryan Dent, fall to them. A total burner on the basepaths, Dent is a high risk high reward high schooler whose main deficiency is currently with the glove. No one is quite sure where he will end up long term but he has above average tools across the board with the exception of power, even though he does have some pop in his bat. He profiles as a top of the order hitter.
Quality draft for the club so far. Expect them to pop a bonus baby or two on day two of the draft tomorrow (11th round onward, when slot suggestions go out the window).
FYI – Matt LaPorta who the team took a flier on last year in the 14th round and made a concerted effort to sign, was the biggest reach of the day at #7 overall by the Brew Crew.
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