Red Sox select Mike Shawaryn with their fifth-round pick

With their fifth-round pick (148th overall) in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Red Sox selected Mike Shawaryn, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Maryland. Shawaryn was ranked as the 77th-best prospect by Baseball America, 94th by Perfect Game USA, and 139th by MLB.com.

Another college arm, the junior is Maryland's all-time wins (30) and strikeouts leader (307). After a dominant sophomore season, when he posted a 13-2 record with a 1.71 ERA, he took a bit of a step back in early 2016. According to Baseball America, his fastball velocity dipped into the mid-to-high 80s in March. He bounced back, and his fastball has been sitting at 90 to 94 miles per hour. He struck out 97 batters this season and walked just 26 in 99 innings. He has also tossed three complete games.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 211 pounds, multiple scouting reports say the three-year starter has the ideal size, and repeatable delivery, to be a major league pitcher. He relies on a slider as his strikeout pitch, but it has been somewhat inconsistent, according to reports. He also deploys a changeup that has been described as "solid-average." Nicknamed, "the Unicorn," scouts say Shawaryn has strong work ethic and the makeup to succeed in professional baseball.

Scouting info was compiled from industry publications including Baseball America, Perfect Game USA, and MLB.com.

Photo Credit: Maryland Athletics

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