Boston Red Sox
· 2026-07-13
The Boston Red Sox used Day 2 of the MLB Draft to bolster their pitching staff, selecting 11 pitchers, including four consecutive college arms in Rounds 5-8.
And with their first-round selection of North Carolina shortstop Jake Schaffner, who will sign for a bonus below the MLB slot recommendation, the Sox had additional bonus pool money to spend.
The Sox used this extra money to select two high-upside high-schoolers: power-hitting outfielder Martin Shelar in the ninth round, and lanky righthander Kaleb LaFavor in the 10th.
So the team's director of amateur scouting, Jake Bruml, said the Sox generally focused on strike-throwing pitchers with potential to develop into starters.
The blend of physical traits and excellent control is evident in fifth-round pick Lucas Davenport, a 6-foot-6-inch, 230-pound righthander from Baylor, who generates good extension on his delivery and a fastball that sits 94-96 miles per hour.
But Bruml said the Sox didn't want to risk missing out on the best college players remaining, who tend to go in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds.
With significant money still available in their signing bonus pool, the Red Sox made their move at pick No. 274 on Shelar, committed to Mississippi State, and also selected Abilene Christian's Brett Lanman, a 6-5, 228-pound workhorse who did not miss a start across his three collegiate seasons.
And as the Red Sox currently stand 8th in the American League with a 46-48 record, on a W9 streak, after winning 2-3 @ New York Mets on July 12, these draft picks could be crucial in strengthening their roster for the future.
The Sox' recent pitching development success stories, such as Payton Tolle, a 6-6-inch, 250-pound lefthander, could be a model for Lanman, who has got some real ride and carry on his fastball.
But for now, the focus is on the new draft picks, including Shelar, who was ranked by most public scouting services between No. 100 and No. 175, and has immense power, with 19 home runs in 33 games, the most of any high schooler.
So the Red Sox will look to develop these young players and integrate them into their system, with the hope of creating a strong and competitive team in the future.
The team's strategy in the draft has been well-planned, and with the right development, these players could be the key to the Red Sox' success in the years to come.