McAdam: With no first-round pick in draft, Red Sox focus on middle-of-the-field athletes

Thanks to the size of their payroll last year, the Red Sox were without a first-round pick in Monday's first-year player draft, their initial pick dropped an additional ten slots as a consequence of going over the third and final luxury tax threshold.

The amateur draft can be a crapshoot for any team, given the uncertain science that surrounds attempting to identify which current high schooler (or college junior) might one day become an impact major leaguer.

For teams drafting lower -- the first Red Sox selection didn't pop up until early in the second round, the 43rd overall pick -- the challenge is even greater.



Unlike, say, football or basketball, baseball teams seldom draft for positional need since the hoped-for payoff is, in most cases, still years away, by which time needs could change.

So perhaps it wasn't at all surprising that the Red Sox opted to select middle infielders with their first two selections. After all, baseball executives often covet the sort of athleticism it takes to play in the middle of the field, secure in the knowledge that if a player can command, say, shortstop, he's likely capable of playing almost anywhere.

The Red Sox took Cameron Cannon out of the University of Arizona with their first second-round pick, then followed that up by choosing Matthew Lugo later in the round, at No. 69 overall.

"We do certainly have a preference for guys who stay in the middle of the field,'' confirmed Red Sox VP/scouting director Mike Rikard, "and who have some versatility defensively. In the long run of things, it hopefully allows these guys to get their bat in the lineup with the different possibilities that they have to play different positions.''

Five years ago, the Red Sox may have used a similar philosophy in tabbing Michael Chavis, a Georgia high schooler, with their first-round pick. Chavis was a high school shortstop who was soon moved to third in the lower minors, and today, has become a big contributor on the right side of the Boston infield, playing both first and second.

For now, the Red Sox would seem to be set with the left side of their infield for the foreseeable future. Xander Bogaerts agreed to a contract extension in April that could keep him with the Red Sox through 2026. Meanwhile, Rafael Devers is under control through 2023, and top power-hitting prospect Bobby Dalbec, another third baseman, is probably less than a year away from graduating to the big leagues.

Cannon, ranked as the 96th best prospect available by Baseball America, hit .347 in three years at Arizona, with 16 homers, 113 RBI and an OPS of 1.004. He led all Division 1 players with 29 doubles in his junior year and was an All-Pac-12 selection this past season.

"He's a very good hitter,'' said Rikard. "We like his swing path. He does things as far as controlling the strike zone and limiting his strikeouts that we value. He's got good power now and we think there may be more evolving power that he has a chance to grow into as he continues to mature as a hitter.''

Some scouting reports have questioned Cannon's arm strength, suggesting a move to second base might be in the offing.

"He's very versatile,'' noted Rikard, noting that Cannon has played second base in college and tried third base in the Cape Cod League last summer. "I'm not exactly sure what's going to be the best fit for him, but we do like the fact that he's been able to move around throughout his career and we'll give him an opportunity  to prove himself at shortstop, but we do know that he's got a chance to fit at some other spots as well.''

Meanwhile, Lugo, 18, was tabbed by Baseball America as the 74th best prospect available in the draft. He played at the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico and, in fact, is a nephew of Beltran.

"We're very excited,'' said Rikard. "He's a very talented young player. He's got really good tools and a chance to stay in the middle of the field. He's got power potential to try to push the game a little bit.''

The draft continues today and Wednesday.