Wednesday, June 07, 2006
$100 MILLION PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MACHINE
The Globe did a nice job profiling of the Sox draft picks. They did miss a few, so here they are from BaseballAmerica.com.
LaPorta Is Finally Picked
6:20 p.m.: It only took 433 picks, but Florida's Matt LaPorta was finally taken by the Red Sox at the end of the 14th round. The first baseman led the nation in home runs as a sophomore while setting a school record with 26. He strained an oblique in February though, and his season went in a tailspin. Laporta hit .259-14-38 with two doubles in 158 at-bats this season. His all or nothing approach cost him dearly and coupled with the fact he is a Scott Boras client, he fell deep into the first day of the draft.
--Matt Meyers
Injury Leads To Fall For Kalish
5:25 p.m.: New Jersey prep outfielder Ryan Kalish is a third-round talent who fell to the Red Sox in the ninth round because he figures to be a tough sign. Kalish, who has committed to Virginia, also was hurt by an arm injury that limited his time in the outfield this season. He has a body and makeup that reminds scouts of another high school outfielder drafted by the Red Sox: Trot Nixon. It is uncertain, however, if Kalish will develop Nixon-like power in order to play a corner outfield spot professionally, and he might not have quite enough speed for center.
--Aaron Fitt
The Sox also selected two other tough signs, Texas southpaw Brandon Belt and late first/second round talent, Lars Anderson from California. Peter Gammons blogs that the Sox intend to ink a couple of the foursome. Throwing money around at picks has been a constant in the Theo and the Trio’s Administration on Yawkey Way, unlike in the past Pat Burrell and T-Rex were originally drafted by the Sox. The other trend is many high (fourth round or lower) drafted pitchers have less innings on their shoulders and elbows than their peers. It maybe that the pitcher had an injury (Kris Johnson and Caleb Clay), was a reliever at some point (Papelbon, Hansen, Dobies, Hottovy, and Bryce Cox), or some other reason. The Red Sox want the mileage on their arms to be in their uniform, if it is going to cost them six figures or more.
****
Yesterday’s rain out was a good thing. The team is all banged up (no need to get into all of the bad news) and could use a day of rest. David Pauley’s outing was excellent. He gave the pen a break and after today’s rain out, the relievers should be ready to go for the weekend’s four games. Now, whether they will be effective is another question. Anyway, I’m signing off until Monday. Maceo Parker is on tonight and a wedding in CT will keep me away from the keyboard.
The Globe did a nice job profiling of the Sox draft picks. They did miss a few, so here they are from BaseballAmerica.com.
LaPorta Is Finally Picked
6:20 p.m.: It only took 433 picks, but Florida's Matt LaPorta was finally taken by the Red Sox at the end of the 14th round. The first baseman led the nation in home runs as a sophomore while setting a school record with 26. He strained an oblique in February though, and his season went in a tailspin. Laporta hit .259-14-38 with two doubles in 158 at-bats this season. His all or nothing approach cost him dearly and coupled with the fact he is a Scott Boras client, he fell deep into the first day of the draft.
--Matt Meyers
Injury Leads To Fall For Kalish
5:25 p.m.: New Jersey prep outfielder Ryan Kalish is a third-round talent who fell to the Red Sox in the ninth round because he figures to be a tough sign. Kalish, who has committed to Virginia, also was hurt by an arm injury that limited his time in the outfield this season. He has a body and makeup that reminds scouts of another high school outfielder drafted by the Red Sox: Trot Nixon. It is uncertain, however, if Kalish will develop Nixon-like power in order to play a corner outfield spot professionally, and he might not have quite enough speed for center.
--Aaron Fitt
The Sox also selected two other tough signs, Texas southpaw Brandon Belt and late first/second round talent, Lars Anderson from California. Peter Gammons blogs that the Sox intend to ink a couple of the foursome. Throwing money around at picks has been a constant in the Theo and the Trio’s Administration on Yawkey Way, unlike in the past Pat Burrell and T-Rex were originally drafted by the Sox. The other trend is many high (fourth round or lower) drafted pitchers have less innings on their shoulders and elbows than their peers. It maybe that the pitcher had an injury (Kris Johnson and Caleb Clay), was a reliever at some point (Papelbon, Hansen, Dobies, Hottovy, and Bryce Cox), or some other reason. The Red Sox want the mileage on their arms to be in their uniform, if it is going to cost them six figures or more.
****
Yesterday’s rain out was a good thing. The team is all banged up (no need to get into all of the bad news) and could use a day of rest. David Pauley’s outing was excellent. He gave the pen a break and after today’s rain out, the relievers should be ready to go for the weekend’s four games. Now, whether they will be effective is another question. Anyway, I’m signing off until Monday. Maceo Parker is on tonight and a wedding in CT will keep me away from the keyboard.
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