2013 Red Sox Draft Preview: Part 3 of 5

In the third installment of our 2013 Red Sox Draft Preview, we bring you a list of possible Red Sox draft targets.

While we typically project a handful of potential targets at each slot, I would like to think that this installment of the preview has been somewhat prophetic over the past five seasons. In 2012, we pegged Brian Johnson as a possible pick at #31, and mentioned Pat Light and Jamie Callahan among the club’s other potential targets. They ended up being three of Boston’s top four picks.

In 2011, Matt Barnes and Blake Swihart were both among the first few players we listed, and they ended up as Boston’s two first round picks. In 2010, the first three players we listed were Kolbrin Vitek, Bryce Brentz, and Anthony Ranaudo – ultimately Boston's first three picks of the 2010 draft. We also projected Sean Coyle (3rd round) as a potential third rounder, and discussed Kendrick Perkins (6th round) as a possible mid-round pick in our draft preview podcast. In 2009, we projected Reymond Fuentes (1st round), David Renfroe (3rd round), and Seth Schwindenhammer (5th round) as potential high picks, and noted Mike Yastrzemski (36th round) as a local product who could get drafted by the Sox in the later rounds. In 2008, we admittedly listed a slew of names in our preview, but we nailed nine in Casey Kelly (1st), Peter Hissey (4th), Ryan Westmoreland (5th), Ryan Lavarnway (6th), Tim Federowicz (7th), Alex Meyer (20th), Anthony DeSclafani (22nd), Seth Garrison (23rd), and Matt Marquis (29th), all of whom were selected by Boston in the respective rounds listed.

With that said, here’s a short list of players that I think could be possible targets for the Red Sox this year:

First Round (7th overall)

Clint Frazier, OF, Loganville HS (Ga.) – An athletic center fielder with the best bat speed in the draft class, Frazier looks to be one of Boston’s top targets. He has plus-plus raw power, an easy swing, and an aggressive approach. The high-energy 18-year-old also has solid makeup, above-average speed, and an above-average arm. He has the tools to stick in center field, although he needs some fundamental development on defense. Even if that does not pan out, he has the bat to stick in a corner outfield spot. Overall, his ceiling is an All-Star center fielder and a number four or five hitter for a first division team. He is committed to play for Georgia in the fall, but is expected to go pro if drafted in the top ten as projected.

Kohl Stewart, RHP, St. Pius X HS (Texas) – The top high school pitcher in the draft, Stewart is reportedly Boston’s top target at number seven overall, although it is unlikely that he makes it past the Twins at number four. An extremely athletic right-hander with a projectable frame, his arsenal is highlighted by a plus fastball and a plus-to-better slider. His fastball sits in the 91-96 mph range with excellent movement and impressive command. His slider sits in the mid-80s with solid drop. He also mixes in a changeup and a curveball, both of which have the potential to be above-average major league pitches. Ace potential. Also a quarterback recruit, he is committed to play both baseball and football at Texas A&M, but like Frazier will sign if he is picked in the top ten.

Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina – Moran is a polished contact hitter with an advanced plate approach, average-to-better power potential, below-average speed, and good makeup. He projects as an average defender at third base, with a moderate chance that he needs to move to corner outfield. Moran posted solid numbers in the Cape Cod League last summer, and continues to post good numbers with North Carolina this season (.352/.479/.566 with 13 home runs). He has a very high floor, easily profiling as an average major leaguer, although his ceiling is not as high as some of the other top players on Boston’s board.

Austin Meadows, OF, Grayson HS (Ga.) – Another high-ceiling, potential five-tool player, Meadows is a large-framed center fielder with an impressive bat from the left side. He has a good approach for a prep player with a nice looking swing, projecting to hit with average-to-plus power. While he could stick at center, he may project best as a corner outfielder who has the ability to play in center field when needed. He is currently a plus runner, but profiles as an above-average runner as he fills out. Meadows and Frazier are friends and high school rivals, so it will be interesting to follow their respective development paths.

Trey Ball, LHP, New Castle HS (Ind.) – Ball, the top lefty in the draft, has a lanky frame with room to fill out. Despite that, he already throws his fastball in the 91-94 mph range with a clean motion. He also possesses an above-average curveball and a developing changeup. He compares favorably to current Red Sox prospect Henry Owens in that Ball has a better fastball. An excellent athlete, Ball is also a draft-worthy outfielder, although most teams prefer him on the mound at this point. He is committed to Texas.

Second Round (45th overall)

Kevin Ziomek, LHP, Vanderbilt – An Amherst, Mass. native, Ziomek is the ace of the Vanderbilt pitching staff, currently posting a 1.92 ERA with an 11-2 record and 111 strikeouts. He throws a 92-94 mph fastball, an average changeup with plus potential, and an average slider.

Bobby Wahl, RHP, Mississippi – Wahl may be off the board by pick 45, but if he is around the Sox will give him a long look. A closer for Team USA in 2012, he throws a 90-97 mph fastball, a solid-average slider, and a solid-average changeup. He profiles well as a closer, but certainly has rotation potential.

Aaron Blair, RHP, Marshall – Large-framed righty with a 90-95 mph sinking fastball, a plus changeup, and two developing breaking balls. Looks like a possible mid-rotation starter.

Rowdy Tellez, 1B, Elk Grove HS (Calif.) – Lefty power bat with a great name. Unlike many prep power hitters, Tellez has an advanced plate approach. While he has played outfield in high school, he should move to first base as a pro. Committed to USC. Might still be around at  pick 81.

Dillon Overton, LHP, Oklahoma – Smallish left-hander with a low-to-mid-90s fastball, a wipeout slider, and a plus changeup. The Red Sox picked Overton in the 26^th round in 2012 but were unable to sign him away from his commitment to Oklahoma.

Third Round (81st overall)

Chris Okey, C, Eustis HS (Fla.) – Team USA catcher committed to Clemson. Okey is an athletic catcher with offensive potential and solid fundamentals, but questionable power and size.

A.J. Vanegas, RHP, Stanford – Impressed on the Cape last summer, but had an injury-prone season with Stanford in 2013. When healthy, he throws a 94-97 mph fastball and a solid-average to plus slider. Best suited for the bullpen unless he develops a changeup.

Cal Quantrill, RHP, Trinity College HS (Ontario) – Son of Paul Quantrill. Advanced right-hander with a projectable frame. Throws a low-90s fastball, a decent changeup, and a developing slider. All have plus potential as he fills out. Committed to Stanford.

Cavan Biggio, IF, St. Thomas HS (Texas) – Son of Craig Biggio. Refined hitter from the left side with plus contact, average power potential, and top-notch fundamentals. Position is unclear at this point – he could end up at 2B, 3B, 1B, or corner OF. Committed to Notre Dame. Possible signability concern if drafted in the third round or later.  

Stephen Gonsalves, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (Calif.) – Team USA pitcher has lots of projection, but has shown some makeup and inconsistency concerns despite largely dominating high school competition. Could still be around in the fourth round.

Later Rounds

Garrett Williams, LHP, Calvary Baptist HS (La.) – A first round talent with injury concerns. Former Little League World Series star. Committed to Vanderbilt, he’s a signability concern as he may be best served heading to college and re-reentering the draft in three years. If he’s not selected by the end of the second round, he’s a candidate to slide past the tenth round.

Dylan Covey, RHP, San Diego – Former first round pick with tons of projection but hasn't shown much in terms of results. Likely to be drafted in rounds four or five.

Thomas Milone, OF, Masuk HS (Conn.) – Toolsy outfielder with more football acumen than baseball at this point. The Red Sox gambled on a few such players in 2012, so maybe they will take a shot at this New England product. Committed to UConn. May not make it past the fourth round.

Dan Slania, RHP, Notre Dame – Former Sox pick may be the prototypical college reliever that Boston slots back into the rotation. Bad body, but he has shown results and has gotten his fastball up to 97 mph.

Jacob Hannemann, OF, BYU – 22-year-old, draft-eligible freshman. Toolsy center fielder with tons of upside, but lots of development needed. 

K.J. Woods, OF/1B, Fort Mill HS (S.C.) – Athletic with plus raw power potential. Questionable defensive skills and hit tool. Signable.

Mike Yastrzemski, OF, Vanderbilt – Yet another former Red Sox draft pick and yes, the grandson of Carl Yastrzemski. Average all-around tools, fourth outfielder potential. A college senior, he could be an ideal pick for Boston in the sixth or seventh round.

Ben Bowden, LHP, Lynn English (Mass.) – Projectable left-hander, Vanderbilt commitment, top prep prospect out of Massachusetts. Candidate to go in the 11^th-12^th round.

Billy Nelson, RHP, North Pocono (Pa.) – Mid-80s fastball. Late-round candidate.

Nick Zammarelli, 3B, Lincoln (R.I.) – One of the best products out of Rhode Island. Committed to Elon. Late-round candidate.

Mike Andrews in the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeAndrewsSP.

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