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Boston Red Sox: 2018 MLB Draft names to look for day one

By Damian Dydyn

05 JUN 2014: Michael Chavis,SS who was picked 26th by the Boston Red Sox puts his name on the draft board during The 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft puts his name on the Draft Board at MLB Network in Secaucus NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images)
05 JUN 2014: Michael Chavis,SS who was picked 26th by the Boston Red Sox puts his name on the draft board during The 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft puts his name on the Draft Board at MLB Network in Secaucus NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 09: A red seat marking the spot where Ted Williams hit the longest home run in Fenway Park history is seen as rain falls after game three of the American League Divison Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians was postponed due to weather at Fenway Park on October 9, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Anthony Seigler, C – Cartersville HS (GA)

The chances of Anthony Seigler falling this far are probably slim. But the Red Sox would likely jump at the chance to draft him. Despite the fact that teams rarely draft for need, the Red Sox are very thin at catcher.

After the tragic and unexpected passing of Daniel Flores, the team has no answer for what comes after Christian Vazquez. Plugging Seigler into the low minors would give them a strong candidate for Vazquez’s successor.

Anthony Seigler is a switch-hitting catcher with solid defensive tools. He has posted nice pop times, throws well, and his rep for receiving is strong. With average or better tools all around, he would appear to have a high floor. But none of those tools stand out as a good bet to be plus. Of course, the bar isn’t too high offensively for a catcher in Boston. Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon are significantly below league average hitters. Having a strong defensive catcher with a decent bat would be a nice upgrade.

Mason Denaburg, RHP/C – Merritt Island HS (FL)

While he both caught and took the mound in high school, Mason Denaburg spent all of 2018 as a pitcher. His catching background gives him a slightly higher floor than most pitching prospects. He could be moved there should he fail to thrive in his preferred role. Denaburg has solid power at the plate for teams to hope on if it goes that way.

For now, he will be drafted as a pitcher who can throw in the mid-90’s and touch 97 MPH. He has flashed some secondary pitches with promise but hasn’t shown them consistently yet. So they remain a question — as is his future as a starter.

The young right-handed hurler missed some time this year with biceps tendinitis and may eventually have to move to a bullpen role. That uncertainty is why there is a chance he could be available when the Sox pick at number 26.

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