Analyzing the Red Sox First Round Draft Picks - Matt Barnes and Blake Swihart

1. Matt Barnes, RHP, Univ. of Conn. - This is a great pick by the Red Sox. He has the potential to be a #1 starter. He features a 96 MPH fastball, a nice curve, but a disappointing slider. His slider may be scrapped at the professional level, but he could develop a very good change-up. He has a big frame and has great potential. But, it might take quite some time to see him in the Bigs.


2. Blake Swihart, Catcher, Cleveland High School - This is an excellent decision by the Sox to pick a catcher. He is young, athletic, and has a great bat. He has a smaller frame and might not catch at the big-league level so he won't ruin his great offensive potential by sitting behind the plate. He doesn't have the quickness to play in the infield or the speed for center field so an alternate position he could play besides catcher could be a corner outfield position. I think he is the kind of player that could wreak havoc in the minors and might be in the big league in as little as 2-3 years. I think in the Majors, he will top out at Victor Martinez numbers (.300 average with 20+ homers) which is great. He is actually who I think will make the biggest impact for Boston out of any other player drafted by the Sox.


Comment on who you think is better!

Complete Red Sox Draft Results

Round 1 — 19. Matt Barnes – RH, Univ. of Conn.

                26. Blake Swihart – C, V Sue Cleveland HS, N.M.

Comp Round A — 36. Henry Owens, LHP, Edison HS, Huntington Beach, Calif.

                              

                         40. Jackie Bradley Jr., OF, South Carolina.

Round 2 — 81. Williams Jerez, CF, Grand Street Campus, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Round 3 — 111. Jordan Weems, C, Columbus (Ga.) HS.

Round 4 — 142. Noe Ramirez, RHP, Cal St. Fullerton.

Round 5 — 172. Markus Betts, SS, John Overton HS, Brentwood, Tenn.

Round 6 — 202. Miguel Pena, LHP, San Jacinto.

Round 7 — 232. Cody Kukuk, LHP, Lawrence Free State HS, McLouth, Kan.

Round 8 — 262. Senquez Golson, CF, Pascagoula (Miss.) HS.

Round 9 — 292. Travis Shaw, 3B, Kent St.

Round 10 — 322. Cody Koback, CF, Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Round 11 — 352. Kevin Brahney, LHP, CSU-Chico.

Round 12 — 382. Deshorn Lake, RHP, Menchville HS, St. Thomas, V.I.

Round 13 — 412. Matthew Ott, RHR, LSU.

Round 14 — 442. Michael McCarthy, RHP, Cal St Bakersfield.

Round 15 — 472. Braden Kapteyn, 1B, Kentucky.

Round 16 — 502. Daniel Gossett, RHP, James F. Byrnes HS, Lyman, S.C.

Round 17 — 532. Blake Forslund, RHP, Liberty.

Round 18 — 562. Andrew Jones, RHP, Samford.

Round 19 — 592. Jeffrey Orvis, 1B, Freedom HS, Orlando, Fla.

Round 20 — 622. Zachary Good, LHP, Grayson County College.

Round 21 — 652. Austin Davidson, IF, Oxnard (Calif.) HS.

Round 22 — 682. Joseph Holtmeyer, RHP, Nebraska-Omaha.

Round 23 — 712. Jarrett Brown, LHP, Salem HS, Conyers, Ga.

Round 24 — 742. Andrew Turocy, CF, Akron.

Round 25 — 772. Taylor Ard, 1B, Washington St.

Round 26 — 802. Cody Dill, RHP, Los Osos HS, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Round 27 — 832. Alex Massey, RHP, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, La.

Round 28 — 862. Brenden Shepard, RHP, Stonehill.

Round 29 — 892. Matthew Spalding, RHP, St. Xavier HS, Louisville, Ky.

Round 30 — 922. Nick Moore, 3B, Brookwood HS, Auburn, Ga.