Leading off is their 24th overall pick, 19 year old shortstop Mikey Romero. Romero looked promising in his brief 19 game stay at the Florida Complex and Salem Red Sox hitting .301 with 17 rbis. Just like everything else that's gone wrong in 2023, Romero got hurt and hasn't played yet this year. Who knows when he'll play again, what a shame. He's the number 7th ranked prospect in the system so let's see how this turns out.
Their second round pick is 19 year old shortstop Cutter Coffey. After disappointing in the Complex by hitting just .125, he's not having a good year so far. He does have a bunch of steals in 46 games but he better pick up the pace at the plate. Still, he's only 19 so give him time. He's the 29th ranked prospect in the system so look for him in the future.
Their other second round pick they got for losing Eduardo Rodriguez is 19 year outfielder Roman Anthony. Just like Coffey, Anthony is struggling too. Also like Coffey, Anthony is only 19 years old and needs time to develop. He's the number 6th ranked prospect so he does have big upside.
Up next is their third round pick, 22 year old left handed pitcher Dalton Rogers out of Southern Mississippi. After throwing just 2 innings for the Complex last year, Rogers has been a solid starter for the Salem Red Sox and Greenville Drive. He's put up a respectable ERA for the two teams. Hopefully he can ride this momentum all the way to the Portland Sea Dogs by the end of the year, or at least strongarm Greenville. He's the 30th ranked prospect in the system so there's something.
Up next was their fourth round draft choice last year, 21 year old second baseman Chase Meidroth. The number 23rd ranked prospect in the system hit 4 home runs in 19 games to end the season for Salem last season. This year he tore up Greenville hitting .338 with 2 home runs in 20 games before being called up to Portland. So far in Portland he's been doing very well. The Sox may have something here as he's been dominating every level he's been at. He doesn't have a power stroke but he can be a doubles machine at best.
Sky is the limit for Meidroth
Up next is their 5th round pick from last year, 22 year old left handed pitcher Noah Dean. So far he's been straight batting practice for the Salem Red Sox this season. He's been garbage so far but the upside is he throws gas and could be better off out of the bullpen where his heater would be better suited. Still, it would be unfair to give up on him after 9 starts so let's see how he turns out.
Up next is their sixth round choice from last year, 24 year old right handed pitcher Alex Hoppe. Hoppe can throw gas but hasn't harnessed his power yet as he's been struggling for Salem. Just like Dean, it would be unwise to give up on Hoppe less than a year after he was drafted but it would be nice to see him pick up the pace. Who knows, maybe he'll turn it around as time moves on.
Up next is their 7th round selection, 24 year old right handed pitcher Caleb Bolden. Bolden can throw in the low 90's but is already 24 and still in Single A. So far he's been mediocre for the Salem Red Sox and at 24, he's already old for the level. Still, he's got a bunch of strikeouts so hopefully that translates to future success.
Up next is their 8th round pick, 23 year old right handed pitcher Jonathan Brand. Unlike the others, Brand has been damn good so far for the Salem Red Sox this season. He's a junkballer that relies on misdirection to get batters out. So far its working but let's see what he can do at Greenville.
Good work Brand
Up next is their 9th round pick, 19 year old catcher Brooks Brannon. Brannon hasn't played many games at the Complex so they're moving him along slowly. With Nathan Hickey as the catcher of the future, Brannon will have plenty of time to rise through the ranks.
Their 10th round pick is 22 year old right handed pitcher Isaac Coffey. Coffey is having a good season for Greenville. He's a junkballer that relies on command so if he proves that he can dominate Single A, it won't be long until he's in Portland.
The 11th round pick was right handed pitcher Marques Johnson out of Long Beach State University. Marques has been straight batting practice for Salem this year posting a terrible ERA. He's going to need to step it up if he wants to hit Greenville by the end of this year. His fastball doesn't have much movement and his junkballs aren't that good. Salem pitching coach Jason Blanton has some work to do.
Johnson needs to step up
Get well soon Mullins
Their 12th round selection was another injury case, left handed pitcher Hayden Mullins out of Auburn University. He's had multiple injury problems at Auburn resulting in pitching just 23 games in 3 seasons. He has yet to make his organization debut due to Tommy John rehab. Once again Bloom is taking someone with an injury risk and praying he recovers. If he works out, Bloom is a genius. If not, just another failed 12th round pick.
Boston's 13th round pick ended up not signing with them. Shortstop Gavin Kilen out of Milton Wisconsin decided to play college ball at the University of Louisville. Gavin had an average freshman season hitting just .265 with no home runs for the Cardinals. Still, if this is what he wants, its not our place to judge.
The Sox also don't have the services of their 14th round pick either. Shortstop Travis Sanders of Copperas Grove, Texas chose to go to Texas Tech rather than straight to the pros. Sanders ended up missing the season with a back injury. Get well soon.
Up next is their 15th round pick, left handed pitcher Nathan Landry out of Missouri University. The 24 year old is considered old for his place but he blew threw Salem this year, not allowing a run in 10 innings. So far in Greenville things haven't gone well but he just got there. He's yet another junkballer that relies on command but so far his stuff hasn't been that impressive. Greenville pitching coach Bob Kipper has ML experience, he should teach him a thing or two.
With their 16th round pick, the Sox picked right handed pitcher Garrett Ramsey from Southern Mississippi University. Even though he's already 23 years old, he's only pitched in a few games for the Florida Complex this year. He's...you guesssed it...another junkballer that relies on command but hasn't shown it so far. Still, their 16th round pick last year (BJ Vela) got released so he's not expected to do much.
In the 17th round, the sox took Lutheran South High School outfielder Deundre Jones. He's made his organizational debut on June 6th for the Complex . Its going to be a while before we get a good look at him as he's only 19 years old. It looks like he's a dead pull hitter which could means some home runs wrapped around the Pesky Pole....if he ever makes it that far.
Long way to go for Jones
Up next is the 18th round pick, right handed pitcher Austin Erlicher from Santa Rosa Junior College. This is another crapshot as he was a "Draft and follow" pick and he hasn't pitched yet due to an elbow injury. Once again Bloom is banking on no one else taking him so he can reap the benefits when he's finally ready.....if he ever is.
Just like last year's 19th round pick (Tyler Uberstine), Bloom took a chance on a bum. 23 year old right handed pitcher Jaret Godman was batting practice for Oklahoma University from 2020-22. True to form, he allowed 7 runs in 7 innings for Greenville this season before being placed on the Injured List. Still, not much you can expect from a 19th round pick.
For the 20th and final draft selection, the Sox took an odd choice. Boston chose 23 year old left handed pitcher Connor Butler from Biola University. What's Biola you ask? Its Bible Institute Of Los Angeles. If Sox fans want to fall down and cry over Matt Dermody's beliefs, wait till you get a load of Butler here. He's only pitched in a few games for the Complex so it'll be a bit before he gets a chance to prove himself.
The Sox also had two rookie free agents that they signed after the draft. First was 23 year old UConn catcher Matt Donlan. Matt hit a paltry .148 for Salem last year and has played only a few games for Portland so far. He's supposedly a good defensive catcher so he's got a lot of work to do. Nathan Hickey is the chosen one but Donlan is there too. Let's see how it turns out.
The other undrafted pick signed was 19 year old shortstop Bryant Zayas from Miami Christian High School. As if the organization needed anymore shortstops, Zayas has played only a few games so far for the Complex so it'll be a while before he develops. Still, every team in the MLB passed on him 20 times so he better play with a chip on his shoulder.
Its only been a year but two of them could be ready sooner rather than later. Chase Meidroth and Isaac Coffey have looked good so far while the others are struggling, are just starting to play or injured. Still, its a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck to these guys moving forward.
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