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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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MISSISSAUGA, ON- JULY 26 – At 17, Mississauga’s Noah Naylor has worn out opposing pitchers (and a few pitching machines) on the road to what he hopes will be a career in the major leagues: There’s always room to improve. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Nander De Sedas, SS – Mountverde Academy (FL)

Nander De Sedas is one name that has been tumbling down mock boards. He didn’t play well over the spring raising questions about his profile. He did show up in the 20’s in some mocks and would fill in as depth at an area in which the Red Sox are thin; in the middle infield. That said, he has excellent raw power from both sides of the plate and the tools to stick at shortstop long term.

The risk is that he moves to third (or elsewhere) and he doesn’t clean up his swing. That could prevent him from tapping into his power consistently. So the risk of flameout is undoubtedly high here. It would be tough for the Red Sox to pass him up, however, as the makings of a real impact player are there — at least, once you get past some of the rough edges.

Noah Naylor, 3B/C – St. Joan of Arc Catholic HS (Ontario, Canada)

Noah Naylor is a bit divisive in these mock drafts. Baseball America has him going number 18 to the Kansas City Royals. But The Athletic has him going one pick after the Red Sox at 27. As the younger brother of current Padres prospect Josh Naylor, Noah draws frequent comparisons. One area in which he comes up short against his sibling is power. While not devoid of it, he’s more of a gap to gap power hitter at this stage of his development. However, the hit tool is considered a plus.

There is disagreement about where he will end up defensively. Some think third base; others believe he’s athletic enough to catch. The Red Sox made a similar bet on current bench player Blake Swihart in the 2011 draft. But Noah Naylor has a lot of work to do if that’s where he ends up playing. If he’s on the board at 26, he would indeed be tempting for a team that desperately needs catching depth.

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