December 24, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Rookie Development Program 2008
The fifth annual Red Sox Rookie Development Program is set to take place at Boston College from January 7 - 18. The development program is a 10-day camp that allows the organization's major and minor league coaches to instruct MLB-ready prospects on life in the big leagues. The players are tutored on the physical and mental aspects of playing in the big leagues, particularly in Boston. There are sessions on dealing with the media, money management, alcohol, drugs, umpire relations, and other obstacles players may face upon reaching the major leagues. Typically, mornings are spent working out and afternoons in classrooms. The program also gives the players a chance to get to know some of their fellow up-and-coming prospects who may have played at different levels during past seasons. The players are selected by Red Sox management based on projections of who may be promoted to Boston in the coming year. According to the Boston Herald's Rob Bradford, the eleven prospects set to participate in the 2008 camp are Justin Masterson (above left), Michael Bowden, Devern Hansack, Clay Buchholz, Hunter Jones, Jed Lowrie, Aaron Bates, Bubba Bell, Dustin Richardson, Dusty Brown, and Jon Van Every. For a look at the participants in previous camps, check out the SoxProspects Wiki.