Red Sox select Bobby Dalbec with their fourth-round pick

With their fourth-round pick (118th overall) in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Red Sox have selected Bobby Dalbec, a third baseman from the University of Arizona. Dalbec was ranked as the 88th best prospect in the draft by MLB.com, 118th by Baseball America, and 112th by Perfect Game USA.

Playing for the Orleans Firebirds last summer, Dalbec led the Cape Cod League in home runs, blasting 12 in only 27 games while batting .315. He also played for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, a team that the Red Sox have always scouted heavily. His success from the summer did not translate to his junior year at Arizona, as the 6-foot-4, right-handed hitter slashed .266/.378/.440 with six home runs and 76 strikeouts in 207 at-bats.

Known as an all-or-nothing hitter, Dalbec's plus power will be his carrying tool, as the Red Sox hope he can get enough out of his hit tool to utilize his great strength. Dalbec also appeared in 25 games on the mound for Arizona, where he featured a 92-93 mph fastball as the closer, which will serve him well at the hot corner. Dalbec missed some time in May with an undisclosed injury, and between that and his lackluster performance he was able to slip to Boston's fourth round pick. Even while he was crushing the ball on the Cape, Dalbec still struck out 56 times in 116 at-bats, so it is clear that along with his prodigious power, there will be a lot of swing-and-miss in his game.

Photo Credit: Bobby Dalbec by arizonawildcats.com

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