The 2016 MLB Draft takes place tomorrow, as you might’ve heard, and the Red Sox own the no. 12 overall pick.
If we’re being honest — and why not, we’re all friends here — you know very little about the group of players the Red Sox will be selecting from on Thursday evening. Same here. As these players matriculate to professional ball, we’ll get to learn all about them through ten-pack updates and Baseball America Prospect Reports and Keith Law’s work and on and on and on. But right now, they’re anonymous; players who compose a new crop of talent for us to dream on, names attached to players we hope will blossom into future stars.
That’s a long way of saying you won’t find any detailed analysis here, but what I can do is bring you a run-down of the players most often linked to the Red Sox just a day before they pop their first pick. And yes, by listing these eight players, I’ve all but ensured that the Red Sox won’t end up with any of them.
Also the photo is of A.J. Puk, who’s probably going to go first overall. You try and find a usable pic pre-draft.
Ian Anderson, RHP, Shenendehowa (NY.) HS
In Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline’s latest mock, Anderson is the pick. An oblique injury shelved Anderson for part of the season, but when on the mound Anderson showed a plus fastball in the low-to-mid 90s and a solid feel for two breaking pitches, per MLB.com. He’s a high school arm, so think high-risk, high-reward here.
Zach Collins, C, Miami
Collins has been linked to the Red Sox by several sources throughout the pre-draft season. A college catcher who might need to move to first base, Collins is seen as one of the better offensive players in the draft. The Sox have the time to let him develop behind the plate, thanks to Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart, but they could also accelerate his timetable by moving him to a less demanding position. You can read a lot more about Collins at the mothership here.
Braxton Garrett, LHP, Florence (Al.) HS
Most mock drafts have Garrett off the board by the time the Red Sox pick — he’s an especially popular choice for the Marlins at no. 7 — but Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com has the lefty falling to the Red Sox. Viewed as a pitcher with a relatively high floor for a prep arm, Garrett has one the better curveballs in this class. Based on what you read about him, it’d seem to be a bit of a coup if he fell to the Sox.
Dakota Hudson, RHP, Mississippi State
Hudson hasn’t been the selection for the Red Sox in any of the latest mocks I’ve read, but he’s often mentioned as an alternate pick. He had a great spring and has a big fastball, and while he’ll need to improve his command in professional ball, he’s got the makings of a mid-rotation starter. You can read more about Hudson at SoxProspects.com’s excellent draft primer, as well as in this piece by Chris Crawford and Wilson Karaman.
Nolan Jones, 3B, Holy Ghost (Pa.) Prep
Jones was the pick in two of Keith Law’s recent mock drafts and is also cited by Callis as a potential player of interest for Boston. A current shortstop who’s quite likely to move to the hot corner, Jones has above-average tools across the board, per MLB.com. If his profile reminds you a bit of Michael Chavis’, you’re not alone.
Mickey Moniak, OF, La Costa Canyon (Ca.) HS
In Keith Law’s latest mock (subscription required), Moniak is the pick. He’s often projected as a top-four selection, so this would be a solid get for the Red Sox. Moniak oozes tools and scouts think he should be able to stay in center field long-term.
Cal Quantrill, RHP, Stanford
How’s your risk tolerance? Quantrill underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015 and didn’t pitch at all this pre-draft season. He has been working out for teams, however, and apparently he’s been impressive enough to still warrant first-round consideration. SoxProspects has him as a potential Sox pick in the second round, while MLB Pipeline lists him as a potential choice in the first. He’s Paul Quantrill’s son, FYI.
Taylor Trammell, OF, Mount Paran Christian (Ga.) HS
In Baseball America’s latest mock (version 5.0), Trammell is the pick. A toolsy outfielder with a high ceiling but a long way to go, Trammell would help infuse upside into the low minors of the Sox’s system. This is earlier than most mocks have Trammell off the board, but, ya know, they’re mocks.
The Red Sox also pick at no. 51 overall and at no. 88 overall, but let’s not go there.
Photo by Steven Branscome/USA Today Photo Images