July 12, 2021 at 2:56 PM
Red Sox select Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz with fourth-round pick
With its fourth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Boston has selected Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, a right-handed pitcher out of Leadership Christian Academy in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. He is ranked No. 302 by Perfect Game USA and is not ranked by either Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. Rodriguez-Cruz was viewed by Perfect Game USA as a top-60 recruit in the Class of 2021, and is committed to the University of Oregon.
Standing 6-foot-4 and 165 pounds, the skinny-framed right-handed pitcher has significant room for projection on his frame. Lean and lanky, Rodriguez-Cruz has long levers and offers plus extension. His fastball currently sits in the low-90s, and he has a solid curveball, while also mixing in a slider and changeup. The Trujillo Alto native has continued to add strength, helping him to maintain his velocity while continuing to throw strikes.
This selection further cements Boston as one of the more active teams in finding talent in Puerto Rico, as this is the third consecutive year that a player from the country was drafted or signed by the Red Sox (Juan Montero and Henry Nunez (UDFAs, 2020), Matthew Lugo (Round 2, 2019).
Photo Credit: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz by Perfect Game USA.