MLB Draft Day 3 (2024)

I don't expect the Sox to have any bonus baby picks today. It feels like most of their money will be spent in rounds 1-10 this year, of course this isn't really abnormal as this has been the norm for the last 5 years or so.

Nelly Taylor at $300K was the only pick over $150K last year.
Niko Kavadas signed for $125K over slot in 2021

I'm sure there will be the one highly ranked guy that they take as insurance if someone fails to sign, and a few guys who they will draft to start a conversation with, minor league rosters need to be filled out and having good character guys is important.

It will be nice to see them identify some young HS talent, some kids who are just ready to start their pro career and happy to take 200-250k and go pro.

Give me something to dream on!!!!

Only overslot money counts toward the team allotment on Day 3 picks, right?

Any other differences from Rounds 1-10?

Here are the leftovers from my day 2 list:
Travis Smith Kentucky- He's actually committed to xfer to Miss St, and has a lot of elig left, so he'll have a tough decision. He's prob headed for Starkville.

Fran Oschell  Duke RHP- I had a feeling he'd want to return to Duke and regain his form, and its looking that is a strong poss. Maybe we see him in round 11 today as an over slot, but I'd be surprised.

Cade Obermuller Iowa LHP- Given all the Ps Iowa had drafted yesterday, another draft elig So. That seems to be intent on returning to school.

Chandler Marsh Georgia RHP- I think he gets the call today.

Jared Spencer Indiana St LHP He's in the portal currently, but with no destination (ISU's coach left to go to USF), but from what I can tell, it was expected of him to be drafted yesterday. I think he goes today, too. 


I tried to omit some of the college So. that are draft eligible, like Jared Jones, Harrison Didiwack, or Colby Shelton, but it seems as if they are headed back to school. There is a good handful of them on BA and MLB's top 500/250 remaining, so it's likely all will require over slot. 

Some Day 3 guys that give me the Vince McMahon gif vibes (you know, the one where he progressively is interested):

Big and Tall Section: 
Everett Catlett-Georgetown LHP - This regime likes its big Ps right? Another big lefty (6'7)- he's a lower arm slot guy, FB is up to mid 90s, sweeper shows promise, the change is too firm, but he's got a lot to work with

John West- Boston College RHP- Another 6'8 P, he's ultra-athletic too. The FB is ok, could prob add more velo here, but the slider is a good one, and he didn't throw his change as much this year. He had big pro interest this past year and went back to BC- he wasn't great numbers wise, but pitched better than they indicate- I hope he gets a shot. 

Ryan Ure- Ok State LHP Another 6'7 lefty to watch for. TJ wiped his '23 but he pitched at the draft combine and 9 innings for Brewster this summer, where his 8 BBs hasn't hurt him (2.89ERA). He's up to 97, but nearly the polish Ashman has in terms of command and secondaries. Still and enticing arm to work with.

Sebastian Gonorgora Louisville LHP- An xfer from a pretty good Wright St program, he's another big lefty (6'5), he's added velo but hasn't lost his command. Secondaries need work, however.

Pierce Coppola Florida LHP- Another 6'8 lefty. Has battled a ton of injuries, and the ERA is unsightly, but the stuff is there, and K numbers are strong, even with the poor results. He just needs innings.

Micah Ashman Utah LHP- 6'7, was RP only but command and pitch mix suggest a chance to be a SP. His FB plays up from low 90s due to his extension. I'm going to go out on a limb and say he'll be a Red Sox draftee today based on what we've seen recently.


Injury Questions:
Tanner Witt- Texas RHP- Like fellow Longhorn, Labarron Johnson, he was a bit of a popular name around here day 3 last year, but only pitched 9 innings this spring and had a cleanup on his TJ elbow. He'll get taken this year, maybe he'll get $175K, but a name to watch for as there was so much promise early in his career.

Brian Walters Miami RHP- His brother Andrew looks like a major leaguer with Cleveland, he had TJ last year and worked his way back and had a 22/2 K/BB ratio in 14 innings- Prob heading back to Miami w 2 years of elig remaining.

Griffin Green Virginia Tech RHP- Headed to Wake as an xfer, but a MA native (Chelmsford) who was the Hokies best SP last year when they had their other 2Ps get drafted. Had good Cape results, leading Brewster to a title in '21, actually pitched 1.1 innings this summer in the NECBL, striking out 2, so he's close. 

Eli Jerzembek South Carolina RHP- Missed all of this year recovering from TJ but was a big pitch data guy and highly regarded out of HS as a top 200 prospect, and a true "sleeper".

Familiar Names/ Post Hype Guys:
Jay Woolfolk Virgina RHP - Went to UVA as dual sport guy, playing QB, but a knee injury shifted his focus to baseball. He was part of the CMNT last summer and was poised to be a highly selected player this year. Stuff is good, heater is mid 90s, slider is strong, and his change is useful, and even has a cutter. He's a bit undersized at 6'0, but an obvious good athlete too. Some project as a RP by most- I disagree, he can start, and had a nice postseason run to get UVA back to Omaha for the 2nd yr in a row. Command wavers- but being a 2-sport guy, that's not a big surprise.

Kyle Robinson Texas RHP - Another CMNT alum and another big pitcher in terms of height (6'6), but he's slender. Teams think with more weight he can add more stuff. The changeup is what entices me here. A really good one. More projectability here than with your avg college arm.

Tegan Cain Kansas RHP- Another 6' P, was a RP at KU, but a SP in juco, can run it up to 99 and a good enough change to have something to work with. I like his arm a ton. Given what we've seen however, I am not sure he fits the P profile of this FO. It's not just the drafted players, but the 1 6' P they took last year, Ammons was already traded, and the Ps they are trading/claiming all the behemoths.

Christian Little LSU RHP- Highly regarded out of HS but was firm on Vandy, he then left after two ok years for LSU and just hasn't had the success his stuff would indicate. The command isn't there, but he's up to 99 and throws a cutter, slider, CB, and change. He's a SR but is still only 21, so there is plenty to work with here in terms of talent. 

Dan Avitia Grand Canyon RHP Drafted by the Cubs in '21, so those guys are catching my eye. He dealt w a minor injury this spring, but his first two years had some great K/BB ratios and is almost certainly a SP. 

Ian Cook UConn RHP- He was a frosh AA and looked like he was going to be a star for the Huskies, and he had his moments, but struggled as much equally in spurts of demotion to the bullpen, he's prob a RP, but his slider is a good pitch, and some more velo might be in there with a pro program.

Pierce George- Alabama RHP- Reliever with big command issues, a So. so prob headed back to school, but he's been up to 102, and someone might want that arm today. 

Sawyer Hawks Vandy RHP- He was at Air Force and left for the SEC, sound familiar? He's mid 90s with some promise for the breaking ball, but not command. Sturdy at 6'4 225, however. 

Drew Christo Nebraska RHP - Was a top 200 guy out of HS, but his first two years he had very little success. His numbers this year don't match the stuff either, it's hard to see why. The stuff is good, mid 90s, CB, slider, change all are usable, and throws enough strikes, but maybe he's just a victim of the suped up college environment, and a college arm with more upside than normal on day 3. 


Others:
Jerry Jenkins 1B Maine- LHH 1B only, but a great swing and loads of power. 
Cody Shrier SS UCLA- The best college position player left who's not a draft eligible soph.
Hunter Hines 1B Miss St- Big time power (13 Cape HRs last summer) should go early today- surprised given some of the 1B gone already, even with the slump he had this year. 
Brady Tygart RHP Arkansas- Popular name, will go early today 
Jonathan Vastine SS Vandy- Likely SS at next level, other tools are questionable
Bobby Boser 2B USF- Big power, only 2B left on MLB's top 250
Ali Camarillo SS Texas A&M- Will no doubt stick at SS, bat is light.
Wyatt Lunsford- Shenkman RHP ECU- Dominant year, likely RP only
Derek Vartanian RHP Campbell/Texas- Huge FB (98) but not a ton of exp, former Juco xferring to Texas.
Miles Langhorne RHP Charlotte- NH native and Vandy xfer.
Blake Hammond Santa Clara RHP - Not too many guys you can say this about anymore, but his best pitch is a plus curveball!
Justin Loer LSU LHP- Another big, extension lefty, Xaiver xfer is in portal again.
Bryan Arendt UNC Wilmington C- Strong defensive C that I think makes a lot of sense to bring in. 
Jayden Melendez Pitt C MJ's younger brother, undersize but good behind the plate and has pop- if anything to maybe keep MJ from terrorizing the Red Sox. 
Gavin Casas So Carolina 1B- Tristan's younger bro is a big power producer. Should go early today.
Zander Darby UCSB Had a big So year and Cape summer and played on a heavily scouted Guacho's team, so I am surprised he's still around. Listed as SS, but no chance to play SS, he's a corner IF at best, and maybe an OF, but I like the power potential. 
Adam Tellier Wake Forest 3B- A Ball St xfer had a big year in the ACC, solid approach and big 6'4 frame, RHH who's a great athlete too, he can really run for his size.
Brady Kasper Oregon St OF- Good tools, injury cost him time, promising batted ball data
Lyle Miller Green OF Austin Peay- A throwback slugger, hit 30 hrs this year. Had a good Cape last summer, limited athlete but has strike dicipline, impressive 38/54 k/bb ratio, rare for a slugger.

With the caveat that these guys get excited when they are drafted and haven't necessarily had any more communication with the Red Sox, Conrad Cason and Will Turner bot added the Red Sox to their instagram bios.

With R1-10 guys, you need to sign them in order to preserve the bonus pool money. For R11-20, the domestic reserve list limits may cause teams to look to only draft a few more guys they intend to sign and punt the remainder of the picks because there will be no impact on the bonus pool. 

Mariners are giving Ryan Sloan $3 million at #55

They usually grab a kid for insurance .



That kid Cason I can’t wait to follow him



A prediction about Tolle. If they can’t get him to start I picture him being our future closer



I trust Breslow and the system but I love this kid Montgomery . I loving this lineup. The best part there all young cost controlled . So if these kids in the minors pan out. It’s interesting who gets moved. There’s value everywhere. The lopsided left issue needs to be addressed but the good part is we have pieces to move. Not much sunken costs. The whole structure is really cleaned up and it’s very impressive. We have 3 starters home grown . You got to think Bello is behind these guys. I’m trying to be as patient aspossible the kid is learning on the fly.

The Astros and Orioles are teams to keep a watch. The Orioles have no experience. The Astros do and I think they do whatever it takes at the deadline. I wonder if Texas would deal with them. The 2nd half is going to be so cool. This is all I asked for interesting baseball. Imagine if the big 3 were ready now . Boy what an infusion . Second base needs to be solved once and for all.

A little bit of a surprise, but another year and improved command will make him coveted, even without the leverage.

John West is a guy who has all the traits to be a good pitcher. But just wasn't very good.

I wouldn't hate a late round flyer on him to see if our new pitching lab can mold him into something.

Doesn't hurt that he is a local kid.

Or a team(s) are floating numbers his way.  

It seems highly unlikely to me that we have the money to sign him at this point BUT on the other hand.....I'm a fool who knows nothing. 

Also, it feels weird to me that kids would pull out of the draft.  Are they pulling out because they were expected to get drafted higher? they can easily just not sign with a team.