The first two Red Sox picks in the 2017 MLB Draft seem to us to be right on target. Taking a solid collegiate pitcher with their first-round pick (
Tanner Houck, #24) was solid—and not just because he was one of three college hurlers we strongly recommended them taking. This kid has front-of-the-rotation potential. In the second round, Boston selected a high-school center-fielder from Georgia (
Cole Brannen, #63). This guy is a very speedy OF who can chase down balls in the gap and also possesses a strong throwing arm (
and he can hit). While Boston currently has—essentially—three CFs in their outfield, they probably won't be able to keep all three in the fold (although they should certainly try). Anyway, having another speedy guy coming up through the ranks is—at a
minimum—insurance against losing even
one of their current OF crew. So, overall, both were
extremely strong selections—especially considering
where in the draft order the team was picking. Good job.
