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

The 2018 MLB Draft is almost upon us. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the Boston Red Sox might do with their first pick!

We’re less than a week out from the 2018 MLB draft. So we decided to sit down and look at some players that the Boston Red Sox might select. We need to stress that prognosticating about the MLB draft isn’t like predicting the NFL or NBA drafts. These players are all years away from the majors, and teams rarely draft for need. Instead, the focus is on the best player available, so it all comes down to scouting.

Another way the MLB draft stands out is that it runs for 40 rounds over the course of three days. We are going to focus on day one. In particular, the early part of day one; the first round. For more comprehensive round one coverage, our own Benjamin Chase has been posting mock drafts.

You can find them at the following links:

• There is Mock MLB Draft, Version 1.0.
• Then we have Mock MLB Draft, Version 2.0.
• That was followed by Mock MLB Draft, Version 3.0.
• Which brought us to Mock MLB Draft, Version 4.0.
• And finally Mock MLB Draft, Version 5.1 posted yesterday!

In four of his five drafts, Benjamin has the same player going to the Red Sox, but we’ll get to that a bit later. In the meantime, we’ll take a look at some interesting names that seem to be hovering around the Red Sox at pick 26. Then we’ll transition into the names that are being predicted as their pick.

The MLB draft is often full of surprises, unlike the IFA signing period where deals are worked out in advance. Mock drafts are more general guides about the range of picks players will go in than precise predictions. With that in mind, here are some draft-eligible amateurs who are living in the vicinity of pick 26.

Names hanging around the board near the Red Sox pick.

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.

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.

Ethan Hankins, RHP – Forsyth Central HS (GA)

This might be a pipe dream for Red Sox fans, but Ethan Hankins has been showing up all over the place in mocks. He could go in the top 10, or he could fall to the competitive balance round. That volatility is due to the shoulder injury he suffered after his incredible junior year.

He was considered the best pitcher for this draft class until getting hurt. And even though he hasn’t gotten back to the elite fastball that had some wondering if he’d go first overall, he’s shown he can get back on the mound at least.

The potential he flashed last summer will get someone to bite. And if he’s around at pick 26, it might be the Red Sox. Having two recovering potential frontline pitchers in the minors together might seem like doubling down a shaky philosophy.

But it also increases the odds that you do come out of the next 12 months with a potential ace in-hand. Don’t be surprised if he’s long gone well before the Red Sox are getting ready to pick. But if he’s there, he may well be worth the risk.

Jordan Groshans, 3B/SS – Magnolia HS (TX)

Another volatile name in mock drafts, third baseman Jordan Groshans has been seen anywhere from the middle of the first round to the competitive balance round. The big right-handed infielder has plus power and a good feel for barreling the ball. He showed it consistently on the summer showcase circuit last year. He then came back this spring with cleaned up hitting mechanics while continuing to rake.

Like Hankins, he could be long gone before the Red Sox pick, but like Hankins, if he’s on the board, he may be too good to pass up. He would offer the Red Sox two things they need to add to their farm system.

A legitimate power profile and a third baseman who could potentially replace Rafael Devers when he eventually moves to 1B or DH. Currently, the best two options they have are Michael Chavis and Bobby Dalbec.

Chavis is serving a suspension for steroid use. Dalbec, while possessing genuine monster power, is an extreme three true outcomes hitter. That makes his path to the big leagues a high-wire act.

Names that have been predicted as the Red Sox pick.

Seth Beer, 1B – Clemson University

While questions have arisen about Seth Beer’s ability to hit with a wood bat, he has flashed massive power and a strong hit tool in his college career. MLB’s Jonathan Mayo had Beer at number 26 back on April 30th, and it’s not hard to see why. If the power and hit tool are for real, he could be the best hitter to come out of this draft.

It’s a tough bet to make, though. He needs to prove he can hit with a wood bat and show that his hit tool is strong enough for that power to play consistently. Compounding the risk is that he has no particular position as a pro. He almost assuredly won’t stick in the outfield.

And he hasn’t looked good at first base yet, either. He may end up a DH if he makes the majors at all, and the Red Sox will likely have at least one other option for that role by that point in Rafael Devers. Regardless, it wouldn’t be crazy for the team to bet on that power.

Triston Casas, 1B – American Heritage School (FL)

Speaking of huge power at first base, Triston Casas offers everything Seth Beers does but with a better hit tool and likely better defense. He’s also young for a draft-eligible high school player. But he reclassified to make himself eligible this summer. Of course, being so good at such a young age likely means he won’t fall to 26 overall. Of course, Beyond the Boxscore had him doing just that in yesterday’s mock draft.

If he falls that far, the Red Sox would almost certainly pick him in the MLB draft. That kind of refined hitting mixed with that much power practically never gets that far into a draft without being scooped up. 

Benjamin Chase had him going to the Red Sox in Mock MLB Draft, Version 2.0 but has since moved him to number 13 for the Miami Marlins. Red Sox fans should cross their fingers and hope to see this monster hitter tumble down the draft.

Don’t get too upset if your chosen amateur isn’t the name called.

Regardless of what the Red Sox do with their first pick, try to keep in mind that these kids have a massive range of possibilities in front of them. Sometimes they are expected to pan out, and they do. Think back to Jacoby Ellsbury or Andrew Benintendi. Sometimes they come out of nowhere, like Mookie Betts who was drafted in the 5th round.

A look back at a previous first-round picks shows a fairly mixed bag. Andrew Benintendi, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Barnes and Daniel Bard have all had some consistent success. There are the less consistent types like Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie, David Murphy and Jackie Bradley.

And the busts like Trey Ball, Henry Owens, Kolbrin Vitek, and Casey Kelly. No team is without its whiffs in the first round, and most have some unexpected successes. This is most apparent with the Angels in 2009 when they drafted Mike Trout 25th overall. Or the New York Yankees with Aaron Judge at 32 in 2013. The only thing we know for certain at this point is that the draft is a crapshoot and virtually anything can happen.

Who’ve you got? I’m guessing it’s…

For my money, I’m gonna sacrifice a few lagers and some hot dogs to the baseball gods this week in the hope that Triston Casas falls to 26. Of course, even if he does, the Red Sox may pass him over as they did with Austin Meadows in 2013 so they could grab… what was his name again? Oh, right, one of those busts from above. So don’t get too hung up on the specifics.

Next: Tony Gwynn: Mr. Padre’s legend and legacy

Crack a beer (if that’s your thing), sit back and enjoy the first night of the draft on MLB Network or streaming on MLB.com. Maybe check in with me or Benjamin Chase while it’s going on to see live reactions. We’d love to hear from you!

In the meantime, who would you like to see the Boston Red Sox draft on Monday night?