Red Sox Draft

The MLB entry draft began about an hour ago and the first round was just completed a few minutes ago. High school short stop Justin Upton -- younger brother of Devil Rays prospect and the No. 2 pick in the 2002 draft B.J. Upton -- was selected first overall by the Diamondbacks and Georgia Tech short stop James Greene was the last pick of the round by the Cardinals. In between picks No. 1 and No. 30, the Boston Red Sox made two selections. At No. 23 they took left handed hitting/throwing Oregon State center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. The Beavers lead-off man has been compared to Johnny Damon with a little less power. At pick No. 26 the Sox drafted 6-6 St. John's closer Craig Hansen (rated as Baseball America's No. 8 prospect in the draft). Hansen is expected to rise to the major league's sooner rather than later, similar to former University of Texas closer Huston Street who was drafted by the A's in 2004 and is now closing in Oakland. The only issue with Hansen is that his agent is Scott Boras who traditionally holds his players out until teams meet his salary demands. However, I don't see the Sox drafting Hansen unless they had a good idea that they could sign him. The Red Sox have four more picks in the Top-60. They will make selections at 42, 45, 47 and 57. The Sox had hoped to get a shot at UMass-Amherst right handed starter Matt Torra who fell out of the first round but the Diamondbacks scooped him up at No. 31.