In just a few short months, the Boston Red Sox, with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, will add to their farm system.
The Red Sox's farm system has improved drastically in recent years, thanks to Chaim Bloom and Craig Breslow's draft choices. There are still some deficiencies in the prospect pool, though, and we're here to find some of the best players to address them.
In this weekly series, we'll analyze some of the top draft prospects and why the Red Sox should or shouldn't draft them. Check out last week's story on Tennessee commit, two-way player Kruz Schoolcraft.
Fenway Futures: Should the Red Sox draft Dean Curley in 2025?
Dean Curley, a sophomore shortstop out of Tennessee, is projected as the ninth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. He's also projected to be the fourth shortstop taken among the five expected to go in the top 10. As a freshman, Curley was the everyday shortstop for the reigning national champion Volunteers. Last season, he finished batting .285/.386/.502 with 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBI.
In the early college baseball season, his numbers are up, slashing .320/.582/.440. Curley knows the box well, rarely misses fastballs and has a high in-zone contact rate. He has one of the strongest infield arms in college baseball, and scouts see him possibly outgrowing shortstop as he develops.
How would he fit on the Red Sox?
Despite the idea that he could move away from shortstop, perhaps to another infield position, the chances of the Red Sox landing Curley are slim to none. The Red Sox could use a player like him, though, as they were one of the worst defensive infields in baseball last year, ranking 25th.
The Red Sox have already made moves to address their sloppy infield defense, like adding Alex Bregman to play third base, promoting Kristian Campbell, moving Rafael Devers to designated hitter, and healthy Triston Casas and Trevor Story help nicely. Even if Story or Bregman don't live up to expectations, waiting in the wings at Triple-A is MLB Pipeline's No.12 overall prospect, Marcelo Mayer. Primarily a shortstop, Mayer has diversified and dabbled in second and third base.
While adding Curley to the Red Sox could boost the struggling infield, there is no evidence to suggest he would fall in the draft. If Curley were somehow available to the Sox, they should absolutely take him and develop him into their future third baseman. With Bregman signing a three-year, $120 million contract and uncertainty surrounding Devers, Curley could step in as the everyday third baseman in 2028.