Red Sox select Brandon Workman in the second round

With the team's second-round pick, the 57th overall in the 2010 draft, the Red Sox have selected University of Texas right-handed pitcher Brandon Workman. Formerly a third-round pick by the Phillies in 2007, Workman commands a solid mix of five pitches, including a 90-95 mph four-seam fastball with late life, a two-seam fastball with good sink, a plus cutter, a sharp 76-79 mph curveball, and a change-up. Projected by some to go in the top 15, Workman was 12-1 and posted a 3.43 ERA, recording 97 strikeouts in 99.2 innings for the Longhorns in 2010. He limited opposing hitters to a .248 batting average and tossed 4 complete games. His ceiling is that of a top-of-the-rotation starter.

A native of Bowie, Texas, the 21-year-old stands 6' 5" and checks in at 220 pounds. Throwing from a 3/4 arm slot, Workman can sometimes have trouble keeping his mechanics consistent, and some feel that he will wind up in the bullpen in the long term. However, he does have the mix of quality pitches to potentially stay in the rotation, and could even add a bit of velocity to his fastball. His large frame and bulldog mentality on the mound have led to some Kerry Wood comparisons. Workman has an advanced feel for pitching and is able to go deep into games, but can become lazy/unfocused on the mound, altering his mechanics to get by in later innings.

Among the highlights of Workman's collegiate career, the big right-hander threw a no-hitter on March 1, 2009, striking out 10 and walking only 2. He ended up 3-5 that year with a 3.48 ERA in 20 appearances, including 13 starts, striking out 82 in 75.0 innings.

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