For the first time in twenty years, the Red Sox had a top ten draft choice this year after a miserable 2012 season. The Red Sox cashed in on that unusually well-placed pick to acquire several impact prospects. Two months after the draft, most of these prospects have made their professional debuts and let’s take a look at their progress.
Trey Ball, 1st round: Ball, a 6’6″ high school lefty, was a surprise pick by the Red Sox. However, it’s hard to argue with his upside, matched by nearly nobody else in this year’s draft class. He is still raw and was on a conditioning program to build strength up until a few weeks ago; he has only pitched in a pair of professional games with the GCL Red Sox so far. He has allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits and 1 walk, also striking out 3, through 2.2 innings pitched.
Teddy Stankiewicz, 2nd round: Stankiewicz was another surprise pick for the Red Sox, being drafted in the second round for the second consecutive year after denying the Mets and going to community college for 2013. Stankiewicz is a big right-hander at 6’4″, 215 pounds and he combines his good stuff with excellent control. So far he has 4 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA in 5 innings (3 starts) for the Lowell Spinners.
Jon Denney, 3rd round: Denney was potentially the steal of the draft, as he remarkably made it to the third round, where the Red Sox took the powerful high school catcher. He has not been overly impressive since joining the GCL Red Sox, but there is plenty of potential to grow from his .172/.333/.224 slash line in 59 at bats.
Corey Littrell, 5th round: Littrell was viewed as a low-ceiling, low-floor pick coming out of Kentucky. However, he has been excellent since making his professional debut as he has dominated the New York-Penn League with a 0.68 ERA and 8.78 strikeouts per nine innings.
Jordon Austin, 6th round: Austin is the prototypical toolsy outfielder as the 18 year old is raw, but has the potential for plus power and plus speed with the ability to stick in center. However, through his first couple of months in the Red Sox system, it has been his plate approach rather than his raw tools that has impressed the most. Austin’s slash line of .219/.386/.297 has been heavily weighted by his 22% walk rate.
Forrestt Allday, 8th round: Allday has one of the best names in the Red Sox farm system, and has backed it up with plenty of success since joining the Lowell Spinners. He currently is slashing at .300/.462/.367, another slash line buoyed by a ridiculous walk rate.
Kyle Martin, 9th round: Along with Littrell, Martin has has the most success since joining the Red Sox organization. He pitched well enough in Lowell, a 0.47 ERA and 15:3 K:BB ratio in 19 innings, to warrant a promotion to Greenville. He has made one appearance in Greenville so far, and he allowed a run in three innings.
Taylor Grover, 10th round: Much like Martin, Grover has had great success since moving to relief in the pros. He has resided in Lowell so far, and he has a 2.51 ERA and 9:3 K:BB ratio in 14.1 innings.
, 18th round: Gunkel is another reliever that has had a lot of success since being drafted. He is yet to allow a run in either the GCL or the New York-Penn League, as he has a 0.00 ERA and 14:3 K:BB ratio in 11.1 innings between the two levels.
Jun 8, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers infielder Reed Gragnani (25) celebrates after driving in a run against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first inning during the Charlottesville super regional of the 2013 NCAA baseball tournament at Davenport Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Reed Gragnani, 22nd round: Gragnani is the second 2013 pick that is now in Greenville, as he got off to a hot start in Lowell with a .333/.411/.417 slash line. He has slowed since moving to Single-A, but there’s nothing wrong with a .254/.351/.302 slash line for a versatile 22 year old.
