Written By: Matt Ferreira
Image via Sean M. Haffey/ Getty Images
Due to a very forgettable 2020 MLB Season, in which the Red Sox went 24-36, Boston will get the fourth overall draft pick in the 2021 draft, which is the highest first round draft pick that they have had since 1967 when they drafted Mike Garman third overall.
In recent history the Red Sox have done very well drafting in the first round drafting Tristan Casas in 2018 who is currently the Red Sox number one prospect and is the #30 prospect in all the MLB. In 2017 the Sox took Tanner Houck who is #6 in the Red Sox System and has been very efficient in his short period of time in the majors with a 1.98 career ERA in 5 starts. To continue among the list Andrew Benintendi, Michael Kopech, Michael Chavis, Matt Barnes, Jackie Bradley Jr are all first round draft picks by the Red Sox since 2010.
Coming into the 2021 season there were two college pitchers on every team’s radar, Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter. Kumar Rocker was the projected number one overall pick coming into the year but has since dropped to seven going to the Kansas City Royals after an underwhelming 2021 season with Vanderbilt. Leiter on the other hand blew by expectations starting the season expected to go to the Royals at seven the son of Al Leiter is now projected second overall to the Texas Rangers.
Another interesting factor in this year’s draft is there are three high school shortstops that are projected to go in the top 10 who could be faces of a franchise. Jordan Lawler, Macerlo Mayer, and Brady House are supposed to go sixth, first, and third according to Fangraphs mock draft. Mayer would be the first high school player taken #1 overall since Royce Lewis in 2017.
Looking at some of the top prospects there are a few that I really want the Red Sox to take and some that are a reach, but still possible.
Jack Leiter: As I mentioned earlier he is currently projected to go second to the Rangers two picks above the Red Sox, but the son of former Major Leaguer Al Leiter, acquired the most hype during the season and for good reason. Leiter currently has a 90-95 fastball that tops out at 97 and with his insane amount of vertical movement on his fastball gives him a high whiff percentage on his fastball. To combine with his fastball Leiter has an upper 70s curveball with plus movement that causes hitters to chase a lot. While he does not use it a lot a lower 80s slider is also in his arsenal to keep hitters off balance. Personally I think Leiter is the best player in this draft if the Red Sox had #1 I would want them to take Leiter. There has been mutual interest between the Red Sox and Leiter and teams may be scared to take him due to how much he would cost to take in the first round.
Henry Davis: The Louisville catcher is projected to go to the Red Sox at #4 and is ranked as the #5 prospect in the draft. According to mlb.com they compare Henry Davis to Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers at this stage in his career. Offensively he has one of the highest ceilings of a catcher in the entire draft with plus defense. His arm strength is what places him so high on draft boards. 34% of base runners were caught stealing on Davis due to his insane arm and good accuracy.
Jordan Lawler: The final prospect I will dive deep into is the shortstop out of Jesuit Prep in Texas. The 18 year old is a good hitter and can use all fields to his advantage. Compared to Bobby Witt Jr of the Royals, Lawler is a five tool shortstop with great speed and hitting. The only concern is his strikeout rate and power which both can be fixed with a professional hitting coach and filling out his 6’2 frame, Lawler looks to be a great selection in the 2021 draft.
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