With the first two rounds and the comp rounds of the 2018 MLB Draft in the books, we take a look at how the Boston Red Sox did. Was the next Boston star called last night?
Day one of the MLB Draft is in the rearview mirror, and for Boston Red Sox fans, it was a good one. Big left-handed first baseman Triston Casas fell to pick 26. And the Red Sox didn’t get cute with the choice. In 2013 when Austin Meadows was available at pick 7, the team chose to skip over him.
They selected athletic left handed starter Trey Ball instead. That decision has certainly not aged well. But this time around, the team went with the obvious choice and grabbed the best remaining power hitting prep player.
There is risk in his profile, and his very young age, but the upside is enormous. The Red Sox made a big bet here. That 70 grade power is the most intriguing tool they’ve drafted in a long time.
When their second round pick came up, another name that was tied to their first-round pick was still on the board. Jeremy Eierman. He offers plenty of upside. Despite having a plus arm, plus speed, and potentially plus power, he was considered a safe pick. The Red Sox didn’t go safe, however.
They made another big bet, and once again it was on power. Nick Decker is a prep outfielder from New Jersey. The last big prep player to come out of New Jersey is a guy you may have heard of. Mike Trout or something like that.
Now, that’s not to say he’s the next Trout. He’s absolutely not. But his raw power is up there with any other prep bat in the draft this year. The plan for day one is now clear. The Red Sox wanted to address the lack of impact power bats in the system. So, let’s take a look at how they did.