July 13, 2021 at 3:38 PM
Draft Day 3 Recap Part 1: Rounds 11-15
The third day of the draft has returned after a hiatus in the 2020 edition. However, instead of picks 11 through 40 as it was from 2012 through 2019, the draft has been shortened to 20 rounds. So instead of a mass of 30 selections coming through on Tuesday, the Red Sox made 10 picks. The team signed 17 of 30 day three picks in 2019.
Here are brief recaps of selections 11 through 15:
11. Niko Kavadas, 1B, Notre Dame
After going undrafted in the 2020 draft despite his status as a Top 200 prospect, Kavadas returned to South Bend where he continued to rake. The left-handed hitting slugger finished second in the nation with 22 home runs, setting the Notre Dame single season record. Overall on the year he hit fo a.302/.473/.767 slash line. Despite his senior status and first-base only profile, Kavadas was ranked the #158 prospect in the draft by Baseball America, #135 by MLB Pipeline, and #150 by Perfect Game USA.
12. Christopher Troye, RHP, UCSB
Troye is a relative newcomer to pitching, having converted from catcher after arriving at Santa Barbara. He showed promise in his first two seasons, striking out 55 batters in 38 1/3 innings, but he struggled with his control with 37 walks in the same span. A UCL injury necessitated Tommy John surgery, knocking him out of the abbreviated 2020 season. The velocity and strikeout numbers continued to impress upon his return in 2021, with 29 strikeouts in 18 and a fastball that touched 99. Control remained an issue, with 25 walks and 3 hit batsmen on the season.
13. Zach Ehrhard, SS, Wharton (Fla.) HS
Ehrhard was a standout infielder at Wharton High School, hitting .438/.562/.700 his Senior Year. The Oklahoma State commit was awarded the Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award, given annually to a Hillsborough County player based on his athletic, scholastic, and community achievements. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Ehrhard also pitched on occassion for Wharton, but is seen as a likely infielder in the college or professional ranks.
14. Jacob Webb, RHP, Miami University (Ohio)
Webb is a big-framed right-hander who worked exclusively out of the Miami bullpen and put up huge strikeout numbers for the Redhawks. Listed at 6-foot-5, 246, Webb struck out 59 batters in 39 innings while walking just 14 on his way to a 2.08 ERA. Before transferring to Miami, he worked in a starting role for Sinclair Community College in Dayton.
15. Payton Green, SS, Green Hope (NC) HS/Pro 5 Academy
An NC State commit, Green may be the hardest sign among Boston's day three selections. Ranked #113 by Baseball America, #147 by MLB Pipeline, and #157 by Perfect Game USA, Green actually left Green Hope High School this season to play for Pro 5 Academy. He has been a polarizing prospect, with Baseball America noting that some scouts had him ranked among the 50 best prospects in the draft. He had a poor showing in the summer showcases last year, losing his swing in an apparent attempt to sell out for power. Refinements this spring had him back on track. Already 6-foot-3, Green is currently a shortstop, but his arm rates as above average, giving him a good chance to stick at third if he does eventually outgrow the middle infield.