Red Sox Draft Kolbrin Vitek, Second Baseman with Pick #20

The Red Sox have drafted Second Baseman Kolbrin Vitek out of Ball State with the twentieth pick in the 2010 MLB Draft

Vitals:

4/01/89

6'3, 195 lbs.

My reaction:

While Vitek is not one of the guys I'd had my eye on earlier (honestly, I thought he'd be gone by now), he's very much the type of player who could prove to be a star. Big offensive tools from two low-offense positions. Vitek makes a lot of contact, but isn't afraid to take a walk. He's got the speed to steal a base when necessary even if he isn't the next Jacoby Ellsbury, and the possibility to emerge even further as a top player. Well worth a first round pick.

Andy Seiler from the SBN draft site, MLB Bonus Baby, has this to say:

Kolbrin Vitek is an athletic collegiate second baseman from Ball State University. Vitek originally came to
Ball State from Bryan High School in Bryan, Ohio. He wasn’t considered much of a prospect back then, as
evidenced by the fact that his best scholarship offer was to Ball State, but was still considered a solid
prospect immediately once arriving on campus in Indiana. After a pair of solid years that included
playing time at third base, second base, the outfield, and pitching, he has taken a step forward this
spring. His tools, which are quite considerable for a college player, are starting to surface, and there’s a
good feeling that he’s going to be an impact bat in a weak hitting class. He has the tools to be an impact
player at second base and center field, and it’s only a matter of decision-making as to where he ends up.
At the plate, he’s easily an above-average hitter with above-average raw power, and when you add in
his plus speed, he’s an absolute offensive threat. While his fielding at second base isn’t that good, as he
lacks the hands for the position, many scouts think he’d make for an above-average center fielder. He’d
need to work on his routes for some time, though, and transitioning to center field isn’t as easy as some
make it sound. However, he has a plus arm in whatever position he plays, and the feeling is that he can
only get better once he’s not playing a big role as a starting pitcher. He should go off the board
sometime in the first round, likely in the first twenty picks, and he’ll be signable for slot money.

Andy is giving us a free preview of our top 3 picks in the draft from his 2010 MLB Draft Notebook. Stats and profiles for over 700 players are available in the over 400 page notebook for $9.99 at Andy's site.