Red Sox Draft Brandon Workman, P -- Texas

With their first pick on day two of the 2010 MLB Draft, the Red Sox selected pitcher Brandon Workman out of the University of Texas.

I wrote this about Workman at SB Nation Boston yesterday:

Just like his last name would describe, Brandon Workman is big, tough and throws hard. He's a worker.

The 6'5" righty has a four-seam fastball that can hit the mid-90s and a two-seamer that has some sink to it. His cutter is considered "plus," while he also adds an average curve and change to the mix. It's a pretty full repertoire for a starter, but also a nice little set list if he converts to being a reliever. Workman was a 3rd round pick back in 2007 for the Phillies.

Workman was quite effective this season and he wasn't even his team's best starter. In 99.2 innings, Workman allowed 94 hits, 23 walks and struck out 97. His ERA clocked in at 3.43 while opponents hit .248 against him.

The Sox love themselves strong, college pitchers. Last year they drafted Alex Wilson (Texas A&M, 2nd round) and Kendal Volz (Baylor, 9th), both of whom have already shown they're ready for a promotion. Workman could be the next college pitcher in the Sox system to slide in and start mowing down batters.

This is a very solid pick for the Red Sox, considering some mock drafts had Workman going in the first round. Workman was drafted in the third round by the Phillies in 2007, so he's received a small boost three years later. Workman will probably start out in the minors as a starter, but odds are he could become a reliever. He has split time pretty evenly between starting games and relieving in his career as a Longhorn.

The Sox are 4 for 4 when it comes to drafting college players: Vitek, Brentz, Ranaudo and now Workman. Only time will tell us if it getting the "more advanced" players will pay off for the Sox.

Sox pick next at 110.