The Red Sox's Day 2 Draft: A Surprising Turn of Events
The Red Sox's approach to the MLB Draft on Day 2 was a surprising one, to say the least. While many expected the team to splurge on high-profile, hard-to-sign candidates, they instead opted for a more unconventional strategy, selecting Lucas Davenport, a pitcher from Baylor University, in the fifth round. This decision sparked a debate among baseball enthusiasts and analysts alike.
Davenport, standing at an imposing 6-6 and weighing 230 lbs., certainly has the physical attributes that scouts look for. However, his lack of ranking by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline prior to the draft raised some eyebrows. The Red Sox's choice of Davenport suggests a potential long-term investment in his development, rather than a quick fix for the current roster.
The team's subsequent picks in the sixth, eighth, and thirteenth rounds further emphasized their focus on size and potential. Brett Lanman, Josh Volmerding, and Mason Lei are all tall, lanky left-handed pitchers, a type that Red Sox scout Craig Breslow has shown a particular affinity for. This pattern of selection indicates a strategic move to build a strong foundation for the future.
However, it was the ninth and tenth rounds that truly caught everyone's attention. The Red Sox's back-to-back selections of Martin Shelar and Kaleb LaFavor were a bold move, to say the least. Shelar, an outfielder from the prestigious Marist School in Georgia, possesses immense power potential and has been ranked highly by various sources, including FanGraphs, Baseball America, and MLB Pipeline.
LaFavor, a towering 6-7 right-handed pitcher from Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Iowa, is already capable of throwing 95 MPH. His commitment to the University of Iowa adds an interesting layer to the story, as it suggests a potential future rivalry between the Red Sox and the Hawkeyes.
The Red Sox's Day 2 picks present a fascinating narrative. While Davenport's selection may be seen as a risk, the team's focus on size and potential could pay dividends in the long run. The inclusion of Shelar and LaFavor adds an exciting element to the draft, as they possess the talent and potential to become cornerstone pieces for the franchise.
As the draft progresses, it will be intriguing to see how the Red Sox's strategy unfolds. Will they continue to prioritize size and potential, or will they make a splash with a high-risk, high-reward pick? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Red Sox have certainly kept the baseball world on its toes with their unique approach to the 2023 MLB Draft.
