This week's "Sox on the Farm" is one very far down on the farm, but also very important: 2008 1st Round pick Casey Kelly. Currently playing for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, Kelly was the 30th overall pick in June's amateur draft, and projected very highly as both a shortstop and a pitcher. Also a highly touted football prospect, Theo Epstein ended up signing Kelly to a $3 million signing bonus to prevent him from attending Tennessee to play quarterback. It seems the Sox are still undecided about whether to make him a shortstop or a pitcher, and for now are opting to let him try short since it would be easier to transition to pitcher down the road if this does not work out. So far Kelly has looked more like a pitcher...but unfortunately he has been playing shortstop. In 12 games he is hitting .146 (7/48) with 2 extra base hits and 3 RBI. He has 17 strikeouts and just 1 walk. Fortunately for Kelly nobody is ready to give up on a $3 million bonus baby after just 12 games....but if things don't pick up at the plate somewhat by year's end look for him to be on the mound in Florida come spring training '09.
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Scouting Report: Athletic frame with smooth agility. Strong present power, very high power potential. Good looking swing, a little on the long side, but the ball comes off his bat well. Average speed. May project as a 3B down the line, but also played OF and pitched in high school. Strong, accurate arm. Also a highly-touted quarterback recruit for Tennessee. While Kelly has focused on his shortstop skills in high school, the organization thinks that he may end up as a pitcher over the long term - but will give him a chance in the infield initially. As a pitcher, Kelly's skills are actually quite advanced for his age, mixing in a low 90s fastball, a hard curve, and a nice change, all with good command.
MLB Comparison: J.J. Hardy / Kevin Brown
Personally I'd say Kevin Browns (attitude aside) are tougher to come by than J.J. Hardys...
I say we groom him for Mike Lowell's replacement. In fact...DK...it would be cool to see the Sox 2014 roster based on current contracts, our farm system, and your hunch on who we sign for longer term (Paps, Ellsbury, Pedroia). Aka...Sox in 2014 without any free agents.
I'll be happy to put that together for you, but I must say the likliehood of the Sox having no free agents signings between now and 2014 is pretty slim. Plus there is the factor of future draft picks being key members of the team by then. 2014 may be a bit too far into the future to predict.
This is the 2011 team as predicted by Baseball America prior to this season:
Catcher: Mark Wagner
First Base: Lars Anderson
Second Base: Dustin Pedroia
Third Base: Kevin Youkilis
Shortstop: Jed Lowrie
Left Field: Ryan Kalish
Center Field: Jacoby Ellsbury
Right Field: Josh Reddick
Des. Hitter: David Ortiz
No. 1 Starter: Josh Beckett
No. 2 Starter: Clay Buchholz
No. 3 Starter: Daisuke Matsuzaka
No. 4 Starter: Jon Lester
No. 5 Starter: Michael Bowden
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon
Wow its so crazy seeing a projected roster for only 3 years from now. It looks so different but theres only 5 people not playing now.
The Sox may not be diving too far out of their own organization after all....SI this week showcases the Top 6 upcoming free agents and possible landing spots for each (Sabathia, Teixeira, Manny, Sheets, Dunn, K-Rod) and the Sox aren't even listed as a possible location (they listed 3 or 4) for any of them.
Meanwhile it predicts the Yanks will attempt to sign Sabathia AND Teixeira. OUCH!
I do notice several former Red Sox are becoming free agents after this year and it made me realize that while the oft-criticized Theo Epstein won a 2nd World Series in 2007, the following players who left from the 2004 team have won nothing: Millar, Bellhorn, Mueller, Pokey, Cabrera, Damon, Nomar, Roberts, D-Lowe, Pedro, Arroyo, Foulke.
I'm just saying, the guy might have a clue what's he's doing.
I'm predicting we have Ryan Bruan at some point....he's hit 60 HR in Fenway.
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