Red Sox prospect #8: Alex Scherff – RHP
Alex Scherff was an early round talent who fell to the Red Sox in the 5th. He was paid a significantly over-slot bonus of $700k. At the time of his drafting, he was reportedly throwing 93-95 MPH and could touch 98 with his fastball. He also had a four-pitch mix including a curveball, a changeup, and a slider. With a potentially plus fastball and three other pitches to work with, his ceiling seemed quite high.
Since signing with the Red Sox last July, Scherff has not used his slider, and his fastball velocity has been significantly lower than advertised. He works 90-92 and tops out at 93. The curve and changeup have been very inconsistent. Soxprospects.com describes his delivery:
"“Starts on the first base side and uses a medium leg kick. Has a slight trunk twist in his delivery before he comes forward. Delivery is very stiff and arm heavy. Very strong, live arm, which he uses to make up for not effectively incorporating his lower half into his delivery. Struggles to find a consistent arm slot and release point at times. Will come more over the top at times when throwing his breaking ball.”"
At best he has a long way to go before he is anyone worth getting excited about.
Red Sox prospect #7: Cole Brannen – OF
When his name was called in the second round of the draft last summer, Cole Bannen inspired memories of Jacoby Ellsbury. None of his tools were quite as impressive, but with a 65-grade speed tool (some scouts said 70), the center fielder looked like a lite-version of the former Red Sox prospect and outfielder-turned-Yankees-bench-ornament.
Brannen sported the ability to get on base, steal bases and strong defense in center before the draft. In brief stints across the Gulf Coast League and the NYPL, he showed exactly what he was drafted for. This left Red Sox fans hopeful. The start of his 2018 season has erased those gains.
Cole Brannen currently has a triple slash line of .157/.246/.205. That’s a 35 wRC+ in class-A Greenville. He’s still stealing bases well, nabbing nine already, but aside from that, he provides no offensive value.
While he’s still very young and has plenty of time to turn it around, he also has a long way to go before he’s even Ellsbury-lite. With no power to speak of (he has yet to homer as a pro), his chances of ever reaching the majors are dependent entirely on projection.