Red Sox 10 Round Mock 2022 Draft
As I’m adding more and more guys to my big board (see below):
I thought I would give some love to the later-round guys and do a 10-round mock with my favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. This season, the Red Sox have $8,078,300 in their signing pool, including a high second-round pick compensating for Jud Fabian not signing a year ago. Here is the layout of where their first 11 picks fall in the draft:
Round 1, Pick 24 — Slot Value: $2,974,900
Round 2, Pick 41 — Slot Value: $1,905,500
Comp B, Pick 79 — Slot Value: $820,000
Round 3, Pick 99 — Slot Value: $617,200
Round 4, Pick 129 — Slot Value: $461,000
Round 5, Pick 159 — Slot Value: $343,800
Round 6, Pick 189 — Slot Value: $266,200
Round 7, Pick 219 — Slot Value: $208,600
Round 8, Pick 249 — Slot Value: $173,100
Round 9, Pick 279 — Slot Value: $158,100
Round 10, Pick 309 — Slot Value: $149,900
Round 1 Pick 24 — Peyton Graham, SS — Oklahoma
Slot Value: $2,974,900
Actual Bonus: $2,650,000
Graham has seen a huge rise in draft stock in the second half of the season and postseason. He posted a 142 wRC+ this season at Oklahoma with 20 HRs and 34 SBs. He probably fits better at 3B, but the projection is still there with the offensive profile. Has to cut down on the whiffs and K’s at the next level, but the talent is certainly there. Other options here are Noah Schultz, Jordan Beck, Cole Young, Brock Jones, Blade Tidwell, and Dylan Beavers among many others.
Round 2 Pick 41 — Cole Phillips, RHP — Boerne (HS)
Slot Value: $1,905,500
Actual Bonus: $1,905,500
Phillips is one of my favorite prep arms on day two. Up to 99 with lots of ride on the FB and great extension. Throws two distinct breaking balls, both with plus sweep, with the curveball getting much more depth. Slider in the mid-upper 80s touching 90, and the curveball in the upper 70s. He rarely throws a changeup as he’s developing feel for the pitch, but it has good stuff, and I think it could be a future average pitch. Definitely a starter profile with plus stuff. Arkansas Commit.
Comp B Pick 79— Logan Tanner, C — Mississippi State
Slot Value: $820,000
Actual Bonus: $800,000
In a system devoid of catchers besides Nathan Hickey and Ronaldo Hernandez (Besides the two Rookie Ball guys), the Red Sox would be happy to add to that depth with one with a high chance to stick behind the dish. Tanner doesn’t make the loudest contact but is consistent with EVs up to 109. The 2021 National Champion at Mississippi State would be great value in Comp B here for 20k under slot.
Round 3 Pick 99 — Chris Stanfield, OF — Lawton Chiles (HS)
Slot Value: $617,200
Actual Bonus: $1,550,000
Red Sox go big over slot here with their fourth selection in Chris Stanfield out of Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee Florida. Big tools guy who can fly on the bases and in the field. Has a plus arm, and likely moves to a corner spot, but has a chance to work in center. Doesn’t swing and miss much, but the power is still developing. I think he’ll be at least an average power guy, which should provide great value overall. Auburn commit.
Round 4 Pick 129 — Alex Hoppe, RHP — UNCG
Slot Value: $461,000
Actual Bonus: $50,000
To compensate for the big over slot with the last pick, the Red Sox go big under here selecting the senior right-handed pitcher out of UNC Greensboro, Alex Hoppe. Hoppe sits 96–97 when he’s on and tops out at 99 with solid ride and good arm-side run. He has a big sweeping slider that he throws in the mid-80s and generates lots of whiffs. Has a changeup but rarely throws it, and it's mediocre. Reliever profile, but could be a solid big-league arm in a couple of years.
Round 5 Pick 159 — Zach Dezenzo, 3B — Ohio State
Slot Value: $343,800
Actual Bonus: $215,000
Dezenzo is one of my sleeper picks in this year's draft. He has massive EVs whose body still has plenty of projection left. His 90thtile EV is over 111! The concern lies in the bat-to-ball and the less than advanced approach. Certainly a risk here in the fifth round, but for almost 130k under slot, a risk I would take. Can play short or third, but I think he sticks at third.
Round 6 Pick 189 — Tanner O’Tremba, OF — Arizona
Slot Value: $266,200
Actual Bonus: $200,000
Kind of a homer pick here because I love OT, but he is certainly worth this 6th-round selection. O’Tremba had a huge year for the Wildcats, putting up a 147 wRC+ with 11 HRs and even added 9 SBs with his sneaky speed. He has EVs over 113 this season and has great bat-to-ball skills. The whiffs, especially on breaking balls need work, but you’re buying a big bat here for slightly under slot. Fits as a corner OF with a fringy arm and a decent defender.
Round 7 Pick 219 — Jackson Smeltz, LHP— Purdue
Slot Value: $208,600
Actual Bonus: $45,000
Another senior pitcher, this time from the left side. Smeltz sits 92–94 topping at 96 with good ride. The Slider has some sweep but looks like a future plus pitch if he adds more sitting in the low 80s. The changeup is meh, but the reliever profile here is strong and I think he could develop into a solid lefty out of the pen.
Round 8 Pick 249 — Ben Brutti, RHP — South Kingston (HS)
Slot Value: $173,100
Actual Bonus: $350,000
Thought I would bring the Rhode Island native home to the Red Sox in the 8th round for about double slot. Up to 96 with run. Average secondaries, but lots of projection in the 6'3 frame, and I think he has starter potential. A little old for the class over 19, but that's why he lands here in the 8th. South Florida Commit.
Round 9 Pick 279 — Brady Slavens, 1B — Arkansas
Slot Value: $158,100
Actual Bonus: $150,000
I have doubts about the availability of Slavens here in the 9th, but anything is possible and it might be a tough sign, especially slightly under slot, but the 9th round is great for risking college signs. Slavens is a bat-first prospect looking for a defensive home. Good power with a developing hit tool that needs to ut down on Ks. Whether he’s playing LF or 1B, he should be able to hit at the next level.
Round 10 Pick 309— TJ Clarkson, OF— Utah
Slot Value: $149,900
Actual Bonus: $65,000
Clarkson is another one of my sleeper picks and will most certainly be available in the 10th. He has a strong left-handed stroke that produced a 129 wRC+ with a walk rate over 12%. The strikeouts and whiffs are a concern, but Clarkson destroys righties and has the chance to be a platoon bat in the big leagues.
Quick Review:
We end up $136,000 under slot to use in the latter 10 picks, but a solid haul theoretical haul for the Red Sox. I love the idea of a Casas, Yorke, Mayer, Graham infield one day, although hopefully Devers stays…
I’ll probably do one or two more of these as we get closer to draft day with different selections…
But for now, follow me on twitter: @JacksonDels2
