When he was first hired as Red Sox GM, Theo Epstein inherited a largely barren minor league system. One of his first priorities was to create an immediate infusion of talent at the upper levels of the farm system.
For that reason, the ball club focused on college players during the first three drafts conducted under Epstein, believing they were more polished and closer to being ômajor league-ready.ö
From 2003-2005, the Red Sox used eight of their 11 selections in the first, supplemental, and second rounds to pick college players, including its first choice in each of those drafts: David Murphy (1st Rd, 2003), Dustin Pedroia (2nd Rd, 2004), and Jacoby Ellsbury (1st Rd, 2005).
Additionally, they chose collegiate players Jonathan Papelbon, Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie, and Cla Mer ...
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Article written by Jeffrey Brown
Drafts Paying Dividends: Casey Kelly Advises Boston Red Sox He Will Pitch
Posted: 8th December 2009 by Jeffrey Brown in MLBComments Off on Drafts Paying Dividends: Casey Kelly Advises Boston Red Sox He Will Pitch