For Heels and the Shillings

[Cannon Shell]

Boston Red Sox
Draft Philosophy: Find a signability player in the first round, follow that with some local talent, and then pick more signability guys.

First Pick: Casey Kelly, RHP, Sarasota HS (FL) (30th overall)
How High He Could Have Gone: Many teams picking in the middle of the first round were interested, but they wondered about his willingness to pitch as opposed to playing shortstop (where he also had first-round ability), and how much it would cost to buy him away from Tennessee, where he was recruited as a quarterback.
Path To The Big Leagues: Kelly is a highly athletic product who already has three plus pitches and who shouldn’t take more than three or four years.

Rest of the First Day:
1. Bryan Price, RHP, Rice: The Sox made up for not taking a college closer by nabbing this fastball/slider specialist with command issues.
2. Derrik Gibson, SS, Seaford HS (DE): Although highly athletic, like many players from the Northeast Gibson is a bit of a project.
3. Stephen Fife, RHP, Utah: Big-bodied righty with good fastball and command but questionable breaking ball.
3. Kyle Weiland, RHP, Notre Dame: Another fastball/slider reliever who has far more command than Price, but less stuff.
4. Pete Hissey, OF, Unionville HS (PA): Solid tools across the board and good baseball skills.
5. Ryan Westmoreland, OF, Portsmouth HS (RI): One of the best athletes in the draft, but he’ll cost a ton.
6. Ryan Lavarnway, C, Yale: Has put up silly numbers in the Ivy League, but that answers few questions; not a good defensive player.

Best Second-Day Selections:
17. Jordan Cooper, RHP, Shawnee Heights HS (KN): Clocked throwing up to 94 mph by the end of the spring, Boston will follow him this summer to decide if the price is right.
18. Brian Flynn, LHP, Owasso HS (OK): The gigantic (6'8") southpaw is all projection, and low on current ability.
20. Alex Meyer, RHP, Greensburg HS (IN): Likely unsignable due to money demands; everyone agrees that he’s a late first-round talent.