June 27, 2019 at 12:00 PM
Minor Notes: Draft signings continue with deadline two weeks away
- The draft signings continue to roll in, with 28th rounder Daniel Bakst agreeing to terms. Bakst was a big prospect coming out of high school, being named the 2016 Gatorade New York Player of the Year. He was drafted by the Orioles and did not sign, instead opting to go to Stanford. He was an All Pac-12 player his freshman year, but he suffered an injury during his sophomore season and did not return for his junior season. He signed for $75,000 and will likely debut with the GCL Red Sox in the coming weeks.
- The Red Sox also signed undrafted free agent Mason Duke, a right-handed pitcher out of the University of Tampa. As a junior Duke pitched for the University of Alabama, striking out 33 batters over 31 2/3 innings with a 3.41 ERA. His workload increased greatly his senior season, throwing 100 2/3 innings with a 2.59 ERA.
- The 2019 Draft History page has been updated to list all signings and reported bonuses for the most recent draft class. The main undrafted player at this point is Noah Song, the fourth-round pick from the Naval Academy. It was reported that Song planned to sign this week, though that process could be held up as the Navy reviews the contract paperwork.
- An additional wrinkle in Song's case is that President Trump signed a presidential memorandum ordering the administration to draft a policy that allows graduates of service academies to have their service obligations deferred in favor of pursuing careers in professional sports. This would be greatly beneficial to the Red Sox as there is now a chance that Song would not have to miss two years to serve in the Navy.
- Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox hosted three unsigned picks at Fenway earlier this week, with 11th-rounder Sebastian Keane, 13th-rounder Blake Loubier, and 15th-rounder Aaron Roberts all making the trip to Boston. Speier reported this was more of a recruiting visit as they try to convince these three high school pitchers to forgo their college commitments.
- Bryce Brentz (pictured, above) went on a patented hot streak at the end of last week, homering in three consecutive games for the PawSox. Peter Gobis of the Sun Chronicle talked with Brentz about the ups-and-downs of his season and his approach at the plate.
- A 16th-round pick in 2017, Kutter Crawford has already climbed to Double-A after recently being promoted. Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald talked with Crawford after his debut with the Sea Dogs and went over his repertoire, which aptly includes a cutter.
- Brian Ellington was released earlier this week after spending time with both Portland and Pawtucket this season. The right-hander turned heads after hitting 100 mph in spring training, but he was not able to harness that stuff, walking 20 over 19 innings.
- With Steven Wright rejoining the big league club, Josh Smith was optioned to Pawtucket. Tzu-Wei Lin joined him with the PawSox as he begins a rehab assignment after missing two weeks with a shoulder impingement.
Photo Credit: Bryce Brentz by Kelly O'Connor