2016 MLB Draft results: Red Sox select Steve Nogosek 178th overall

The Red Sox' run on college juniors continues, as their sixth-round pick landed right-handed reliever Steve Nogosek out of Oregon.

Where Nogosek should land really depends on who you ask, and in turn, their view on him as a starter.

For Baseball America, they see the rotation as a realistic outcome for the 6-foot-1 Nogosek, citing his athleticism (he was a quarterback in high school who set rushing records) and "competitiveness." He does potentially have three pitches with a fastball - slider - changeup mix (BA references a "plus curveball", but MLB.com and Nogosek's own coach only cite the slider), but it's really only the first two that draw real attention, with the fastball hitting the mid-90s and the slider a solid option for an out pitch.

For others, though, Nogosek is a reliever, and not a closer, either, though that's how he's been used in college. At the very least, though, Nogosek is a fairly clean and polished prospect in the bullpen, particularly after a 2016 season where he showed dramatically improved command. If he stays in the bullpen, he might have a fast path to the majors. If he doesn't, the Red Sox might have to look into breaking him down and rebuilding him some.