The MLB Draft is only a few days away, and with it, you’re going to start seeing daily mock drafts. We’ve already seen a number of big names linked to the Boston Red Sox, including Hunter Dietz and Bo Lowrance, just to list a few.
However, there’s one name that hasn't been linked to the Red Sox that really intrigues me: Notre Dame right-handed pitcher Jack Radel.
The Sox are no strangers to taking college pitchers early in recent major league drafts. They used their second-round and third-round picks on pitchers in 2024, and selected three pitchers in their first four picks (still technically three rounds) in 2025.
That being said, there’s no such thing as too much pitching. You also don’t draft for need in baseball; you draft who you think the best player available is, who you think you can sign for the slot value you want to sign, and who you think best fits your system and training philosophies.
That brings us back to Radel. As a Junior at Notre Dame in 2026, Radel posted a 3.29 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 15 starts. He struck out 116 batters and walked 22 in 87 2/3 innings.
Why the Red Sox should consider pitcher Jack Radel at number 20 in the MLB Draft
Radel did something in college that doesn't happen too often. He pitched three years at a big school (all at Notre Dame), and never really struggled. His freshman year was his worst year with a 4.58 ERA, followed by a 3.58 ERA in his sophomore campaign. The innings went up each year, while the WHIP lowered and the K/9 drastically spiked. Usually, you’ll see something click, or they’ll transfer, or something will happen. Radel was just solid improvement from good to elite.
A good track record in college doesn’t mean the Red Sox should draft him. What else is there, you ask? Radel is 6’5”, 250 lbs. Boston’s personnel have shown themselves to love massive pitchers, and the righty is an absolute unit on the mound.
Radel’s been praised for having great extension, too. That’s something that was a major point of emphasis with the likes of Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett. Both of those projects have worked out well for the Red Sox so far.
Radel features a mid-90s fastball that can pump up close to 100. His cutter is relatively new and already looks promising, and he has a great slider and an intriguing curveball and changeup. There’s a pitch mix to work with that the Red Sox could absolutely add some juice to if they can get the velocity up like they’ve done with others in the past.
Radel is also projected to go a bit later in the draft, maybe even outside of the first round. However, he’s absolutely seen as a first-round talent. I love that for the Red Sox. Take him in the first round, and maybe you can save a few dollars. Use that money on your next pick and maybe make a splash with a big high school name, as they have done this in the past *cough* Roman Anthony *cough*.
The Red Sox will have a lot of options when they’re on the clock at number 20 in the 2026 MLB Draft. They can’t go wrong with quite a few names. I’m just saying, keep an eye on Radel.
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