Sox 2007 Draft

[One Red Seat]

Results of the '07 draft.......

55. Nick Hagadone, LHP, 6-5 230, University of Washington

BA

Hagadone was a big-bodied lefthander with a low- to mid-80s fastball and solid breaking ball his first two seasons at Washington, and he entered the 2007 season as the Huskies' Friday starter despite having made just five career starts. He has dramatically increased his arm strength and velocity, as his physical ability and improved mechanics came together perfectly. Coach Ken Knudson moved Hagadone back to the bullpen after two starts, and his velocity jumped, as did his performance (1.88 ERA, 10 saves). Hagadone was throwing in the 90-93 mph range and had several outings when he hit 94-95 mph repeatedly. He also features a power slider that's at least an average pitch. While his delivery isn't textbook and his fastball tends to flatten out, he's deceptive, keeps the ball down (one home run allowed) and has some feel for pitching. His changeup also has average potential, and Hagadone likely will be given a chance to start in pro ball.

62. Ryan Dent, R/R SS, 6-0 190, Woodrow Wilson HS

BA

With a strong but short body in the Rafael Furcal mold, Dent emerged on last year's showcase circuit as one of Southern California's top hitting prospects, helping the Reds scout team to the World Wood Bat Association championship in the fall. Teams that believe in Dent's hitting may be willing to spend a first-round pick on one of the draft's better runners (he gets from home to first in under 4.1 seconds from the right side) and athletes. He lashes line drives from gap to gap with a short, quick stroke and has sound hitting mechanics. His speed is in play from his first step out of the batter's box; he aggressively stretches singles into doubles. His aggressiveness works against him in his impatience at the plate. Dent doesn't have an obvious defensive home, and most scouts aren't sold on him at shortstop, as his actions, arm and range are just average. He's athletic enough to handle either second base or center field and profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter, especially if he can learn to take a walk as a pro.

84. Jeffrey Morris, L/R 3B, 6-2 200, Virgil I Grissom HS

BA

Morris has one of the best approaches among the high school draft class. But outside of his polish at the plate, his swing has holes and his defensive shortcomings are obvious. An Aflac All-American, he enjoyed a successful high school career as a four-year starter. In Grissom's state quarterfinals loss, Morris broke a bone in his right hand while taking a swing. He had surgery and was expected to be able to swing a bat a week before the draft. The injury isn't a major issue because Morris wasn't considered signable beyond the sandwich round, and he has second- to third-round value. He'll likely attend Auburn, where he could be a mainstay in the heart of its batting order. Morris is patient and powerful, and he feasts on fastballs over the plate, especially down in the zone. He broke the Alabama record for walks in a season with 59 this spring, eclipsing the 54 Athletics farmhand Jeremy Brown racked up in 2002. His swing is grooved and sweepy, and he struggles with pulling his hands inside the ball and keeping his stroke short, which could present difficulties against more experienced pitching. He's stiff defensively, with a below-average arm, meaning he's probably best suited for first base.

I'll post more when I can find some SR on the 114 and 144. Not picking Harvey still has me curious.






(to be editted as picks are made)

[riverside sluggers]

Scouting report?

The Sox have selected lefty pitcher Nick Hagadone from Washington

EDIT: Got this from boston.com

The skinny: MLB.com says: "After spending last year starting behind Tim Lincecum, Hagadone became Washington's Friday night starter to begin the year. He was moved to the bullpen after two starts because of team need and has been oustanding for the Huskies, showing the ability to save games and pitch multiple innings. With a chance to have a good three-pitch mix, some teams may want to move him back into a rotation once drafted, but worst-case, they'd have a pretty good lefty setup man on their hands."

At the University of Washington, Hagadone combined with Lincecum to pitch a no-hitter against the Santa Clara Broncos in 2006.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...sp?mc=hagadone

[BoSox21]

With the 62nd overall pick, the Sox took Ryan Dent, a high school shortstop. He's got decent size at 6'0" and 190 pounds. He's said to have a good bat with the ability to spray hits everywhere but his true strength is his speed. Scouts say he has the potential to be an outfielder as well as a middle infielder.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...er.jsp?mc=dent

[jacksonianmarch]

Round 4- Chris Province SE Louisiana U.

No SR on him.

[example1]

You missed Pick #84 Jeffrey Morris, 3B/OF, 6'4/200 L/R, High School Alabama
and Pick #114 Brock Huntzinger, RHP HS Pitcher

[example1]

Dent is my favorite Sox pick so far, I think. 3/5 are from HS. Odd, but understandable. We likely won't be seeing anyone from this draft for a long time.

Is there reason to think that Hagadone is any better than, say, Masterson or Cox or Kris Johnson? This seems like a fairly weak draft, but, of course, the Sox have fewer top picks than they have the past few years.

[NateGrey]

..
.. Chris Province ..

Righthander Chris Province went undrafted as a junior in 2006 despite showing a plus fastball. Serving as Southeastern Louisiana's closer this year, he kicked his fastball up to 94-97 mph by the end of the season and will be one of the better senior signs in the draft. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Province also scrapped his curveball for a slider that improved tremendously in May, clocking at 86-88 mph in the last week of the regular season. He came on strong late in the spring and now could go in the second or third round, especially if a team is looking to save money with a college senior.

..

[jacksonianmarch]

Originally Posted by example1

Dent is my favorite Sox pick so far, I think. 3/5 are from HS. Odd, but understandable. We likely won't be seeing anyone from this draft for a long time.

Is there reason to think that Hagadone is any better than, say, Masterson or Cox or Kris Johnson? This seems like a fairly weak draft, but, of course, the Sox have fewer top picks than they have the past few years.

Just got a 2 way player in Middlebrooks. 94mph heater, but looks like he'll be a 3b for you guys. Another HS kid.

Why the hell has Chris Carpenter fallen so far?

[riverside sluggers]

Originally Posted by example1

Dent is my favorite Sox pick so far, I think. 3/5 are from HS. Odd, but understandable. We likely won't be seeing anyone from this draft for a long time.

Is there reason to think that Hagadone is any better than, say, Masterson or Cox or Kris Johnson? This seems like a fairly weak draft, but, of course, the Sox have fewer top picks than they have the past few years.

Agree, from what Ive read about him so far, he's def a prospect I'll be keeping my ears out for

roto

The Red Sox made high school shortstop Ryan Dent and University of Washington LHP Nicholas Hagadone their first two picks on Thursday.

It was thought the Red Sox might take any of the big names that dropped, but they passed on Matt Harvey. Hagadone, the 55th pick, may go the Jonathan Papelbon route, moving from the bullpen in college to the rotation in the minors. Dent, drafted 62nd, is a toolsy middle infielder who might end up at second base or in center field. He possesses terrific speed, and the Red Sox will hope he blossoms into a leadoff man.

[jacksonianmarch]

sounds like a mix of Pedroia and Ellsbury. Interesting they would go that route. Still baffled that Carpenter is still available.

[example1]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

Just got a 2 way player in Middlebrooks. 94mph heater, but looks like he'll be a 3b for you guys. Another HS kid.

Not that it matters, but this is my 2nd favorite pick of the draft. A football quarterback and all-state punter, who can hit 94 and has the "power potential you'd hope to see from a 6-4 200 pounder". He could pitch, he could be a fielder.

"he hasn't done that much pitching. If he were to focus solely on pitching, he could take off in the future."

Haven't we seen similar reports about another certain Sox pitching prospect? I don't know what position they will have this guy play, but his resume makes him sound like a winner.

[jacksonianmarch]

it has been an interesting draft for the sox. Here's the breakdown

Rd 1A- Player Name: Nick Hagadone
Position: Starting Pitcher
School: University of Washington
School Type: Four-Year College
Academic Class: Junior
Birthdate: 01/01/86
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 230 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Report Date(s): 05/04/07
Game(s): Oregon State

Focus Area Comments
Fastball: Hagadone throws his fastball in the 90-93 mph range.
FB Movement: Hagadone has some nice arm side run on his fastball.
Slider: Hagadone has an above-average slider that gives left-handed hitters fits. It has good bite and depth to it.
Changeup: Hagadone has the makings of a change and it has the chance to be an average or better third pitch. When he's throwing it well, it has good fade.
Control: Hagadone has the ability to command all three pitches.
Poise: Clearly the leader of Washington's pitching staff, he has a quiet confidence and is known for a tremendous work ethic.
Physical Description: Hagadone is a big, strong lefty who has experience as a Friday night starter and closer.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: He has the chance to be a three-pitch guy. He's got plus makeup and leadership qualities. Even though he's closing now, he's much more than a one-inning guy.
Weaknesses: He needs to stay back more. His future role is unclear, with some thinking he should stay in the pen and others wanting him back as a starter.
Summary: After spending last year starting behind Tim Lincecum, Hagadone became Washington's Friday night starter to begin the year. He was moved to the bullpen after two starts because of team need and has been oustanding for the Huskies, showing the ability to save games and pitch multiple innings. With a chance to have a good three-pitch mix, some teams may want to move him back into a rotation once drafted, but worst-case, they'd have a pretty good lefty setup man on their hands.

Rd 1A- Player Name: Ryan Dent
Position: Shortstop/second base
School: Wilson HS, Long Beach, Calif.
School Type: High school
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: 03/15/89
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 02/05/07
Game(s): Urban Academy Showcase

Focus Area Comments
Hitting Ability: Dent has some life in his bat and makes consistent contact.
Power: Though not his top tool, Dent does have some pop.
Running Speed: Dent may have been the fastest player at the Showcase, with one of the better 60 times at the event.
Base Running: Dent puts his speed to very good use on the basepaths.
Arm Strength: Dent has some arm strength, though there is some question over whether he'll be able to stay at shortstop.
Fielding: Dent can play the middle infield, with his speed being his best asset. He's also a good enough athlete to handle a move to the outfield if needed.
Range: Dent uses his plus speed to cover a decent amount of ground.
Physical Description: Dent is a small, speedy and very athletic middle infielder.
Medical Update: Dent was hurt last year, missing some of the summer showcases, but appeared healthy at the Urban Academy.
Strengths: Speed and bat. Dent profiles as a future leadoff-hitting type.
Weaknesses: Defense. There's debate over whether he'll be able to play shorstop long-term, with a move to second likely.
Summary: With a strong bat and even better speed, Dent will be a very intriguing prospect for many teams. Athletes like this don’t grow on trees and Dent has shown the ability to hit to all fields and use his speed to wreak havoc on the basepaths. He may not be a middle infielder long-term, but many feel he’s athletic enough to handle a move to the outfield if needed.

Rd 2- Player Name: Hunter Morris
Position: First base/Outfield
School: Grissom High School, Huntsville, AL
School Type: High School
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: 10/07/88
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 04/19/07
Game(s): Cullman High School

Focus Area Comments
Hitting Ability: Morris has decent bat speed but his approach at the plate will need some adjusting.
Power: Morris has plus raw power from the left side of the plate.
Running Speed: Morris has below-average speed.
Base running: Despite below-average speed, Morris is an average base runner.
Fielding: Right now, Morris is a slightly below-average fielder but will improve.
Arm strength: He has a fringy average arm.
Range: His range is currently below-average.
Physical Description: The big, strong left-handed hitter has a body type similar to Nick Johnson.
Medical Update: Patterson missed a large chunk of the season with a broken hammate bone in his hand, but came back healthy at the end of the season.
Strengths: His plus raw power and average bat speed.
Weaknesses: His overall hitting approach needs an overhaul and his defense is below-average.
Summary: Morris has put up some ridiculous numbers as a high school outfielder and he does have some pretty legitimate raw power from the left side, a commodity often in high demand. The rest of his game is behind the pop, with his overall approach at the plate needing some work and his defense average at best. Some see him as a fourth outfielder at the next level, but someone is sure to take a chance on his power potential.

Rd 3- Brock Huntzinger

Rd 4- Christopher Province

Rd 5- Player Name: Will Middlebrooks
Position: Starting Pitcher/Infielder
School: Liberty-Eylau HS, Texarkana, TX
School Type: High School
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: Not available
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 02/22/07
Game(s): Henderson

Focus Area Comments
Hitting Ability: Good bat with power potential; very athletic.
Power: Middlebrooks has the kind of power potential you'd hope to see in a 6-foot-4, 200-pounder.
Running Speed: Middlebrooks is a slightly below-average runner.
Arm Strength: As a pitching prospect as well, Middlebrooks has above-average arm strength.
Fielding: Middlebrooks is an average fielder with decent hands.
Range: He has average range, at best, and will likely move to third at the next level.
Physical Description: Big and athletic, Middlebrooks is a two-sport star who was the team's quarterback and was an all-state punter.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: Athleticism, makeup, arm strength, power potential.
Weaknesses: Running speed, range.
Summary: Middlebrooks is a legitimate two-way threat. Aside from running speed, he possesses the tools scouts like to see at the plate (and on the mound).

Focus Area Comments
Fastball: Middlebrooks' fastball topped out at 94 mph and he threw it between 88-94 mph in his outing.
Curve: He threw his curve in the 75-79 mph range and has the makings of an above-average power curve.
Changeup: Middlebrook's changeup grades out as average right now and he threw it in the 77-80 mph range.
Control: His overall command is a little below average right now.
Poise: Middlebrooks has terrific makeup and is extremely competitive on the mound.
Agrressiveness: Middlebrooks is very aggressive and went right after hitters.
Physical Description: Big and athletic, Middlebrooks is a two-sport star who was the team's quarterback and was an all-state punter.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: Athleticism, makeup, three-pitch mix.
Weaknesses: Command, particularly of his curve.
Summary: Middlebrooks opened some eyes with the start of his 2007 season. A two-sport star who is also a position player prospect, he hasn't done that much pitching. If he were to focus solely on pitching, he could take off in the future.

[jacksonianmarch]

3 HS players is strange for the sox, who have always had sort of a money ball feel since Theo took over. And I am surprised the sox used their first pick on a pitcher who has limited projectability when Harvey was available.

And their second pick is very baffling. Not a very good pick IMO when you have a guy like Pedroia and Ellsbury in the system. This kid sounds like he's destined for CF or 2b and both are far more advanced than this kid. I would have thought the sox would want to go power or even with more pitching in that spot.

[riverside sluggers]

Boston.com is reporting that Ryan Dent is committed to play for UCLA, Morris has been accepted to Auburn, and Huntzinger at Indian University. Its all about how the Sox approach these kids with signing bonuses to sway them

[jacksonianmarch]

but the 5th pick looks like a very solid pick. Tons of projectability on both ends. I am very surprised he fell so low with potential in both power hitting and power pitching.