Who’s left for the Red Sox to take in the Rule IV Draft?
Boston holds the seventh pick in each round from the 4th until the end of the draft, the 40th round. While there is talent available in every round, I’m only going to look at some possibilities from rounds 3 and 4 because after that it’s nearly impossible to know who is on team’s big boards and even in the first round, picks can be hard to project.
June 10, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Stanford Cardinal pitcher A.J. Vanegas (17) on the mound during the third inning of game two of the Tallahassee super regional against the Florida State Seminoles at Dick Howser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
In the first round of the draft the Red Sox grabbed Indiana highschooler, Trey Ball with pick number seven overall. I usually don’t approve of high school picks based on signability and risk, but Ball looks like he might sign for at or slightly above slot and was the top two-way player and LHP in the draft. However, the one think I will say about high school selections is that teams really need to make them in the first round. I know that sound contradictory to my previous statement, but as slot value decreases, it is a lot less likely teams can sign guys away from their college commitments.
All that said, let’s start with the guessing.
Round 3, pick number 81:
Bobby Wahl, RHP, Ole Miss, Junior
Wahl is a typical power pitcher. The Ole Miss Friday starter can wind his lively fastball up to 95mph when he needs it. He’s probably higher on my draft board than second rounder Teddy Stankiewicz, as Stankiewicz is probably still around at this pick whereas Wahl could have been long gone. If Wahl cant iron out some command problems, his future as a reliever could be equally bright.
Jon Denney, C, Yukon HS (OK)
Jon Denney was, at one time, in consideration for a couple of first round picks, including number seven. He’s the best offensive catcher in the draft full stop, but his defense is shaky, but with a little work in rookie leagues, he can iron out those kinks.
A.J. Vanegas, RHP, Stanford, Junior
Vanegas is a guy who might be around for 113, so there might not be any rush to get him here. Stanford’s closer needs to work on his command and refine his breaking stuff but with a mid-to-high 90s fastball he could prove to be a valuable bullpen piece down the road.
Round 4, pick number 113:
Buck Farmer, RHP, Georgia Tech, Senior
Farmer passed on the chance to sign with the Brewers last year to return to GT for his senior season. The big right hander projects as a work horse, a middle of the rotation, innings eater type with four pitches that could be at least Major League average.
Tony Rizzotti, RHP, Tulane, Sophomore
Rizzotti has dealt with some injuries in his college career, but a good rehab program had him throwing every Friday night for the Green Wave this past spring. He possesses a 95mph fastball, a knock out slider and a pretty good splitter as well. Rizzotti attacks the zone and his aggressive approach could turn him into a back-end of the bullpen weapon for some teams.