Recapping Red Sox draft picks 21-30

The picks have come fast and furious on the third day of the draft, and rather than do 30 individual posts for each player, we’ll just do quick write-ups on each draftee, with ten per post.

Round 21 (Pick #640): Brandon Howlett, 3B, George Jenkins HS (FL)

In the 21st round the Red Sox went back to a familiar place for them, taking a power-oriented high school bat. Howlett is an intriguing prospect if they can indeed get him to sign, as the right-handed hitter was ranked 399th by Baseball America. His scouting report is an interesting one, as there appears to be real raw power in his game but he hasn’t shown it off consistently in game situations. He looks to be the most extreme of the power vs. hit tool players in the Red Sox draft class with big swing and miss issues. He’s committed to Florida State next spring. Video from Baseball America is included below.

Round 22 (Pick #670): Yusniel Padron-Artilles, RHP, Miami-Dade Community College

Note: This originally had Blake Workman as the pick in this spot. That was the Diamondbacks’ pick at number 669. I read the Draft Tracker wrong. Apologies.

The Red Sox took their first JuCo player of the draft in the 22nd round, taking 20-year-old Padron-Artilles with this pick. The Cuban-born player presumably just came to the States recently as he played for the Cuban National Team in the U-18 World Cup back in 2015. This past spring was his first JuCo season, and in 16 appearances (14 starts) he pitched to a 2.17 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 83 innings of work.

Round 23 (Pick #700): Ryan Fernandez, RHP, Hillsborough Community College (FL)

With their 23rd pick, the Red Sox selected their second JuCo player of the draft in Fernandez. The righty is in his second year of school and in the midst of his age-20 season. There’s not a ton of information out there, but he didn’t have a super impressive year our of the bullpen, pitching to a 5.31 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 61 innings. It’s worth noting that he averaged four innings per appearances, so there could be a starter role in his future.

Round 24 (Pick #730): Logan Browning, LHP, Florida Southern College

In the 24th round the Red Sox selected another senior in Browning out of the Division II FSC. He’s been drafted twice before, being selected in the 36th round out of high school and the 37th round last year after his junior season. He also originally went to the University of Florida before transferring. This past year, the southpaw started 16 games and pitched to a 3.95 ERA over 93 ¹⁄₃ innings with 105 strikeouts.

Round 25 (Pick #760): Caleb Ramsey, OF, Heritage HS (GA)

The Red Sox took another high school outfielder in the 25th round in Ramsey, though he was not ranked in Baseball America’s top 500 draft prospects. The left-handed hitter is listed as a center fielder, but there’s not much more information out on him. He is committed to play at Butler next spring.

Round 26 (Pick #790): Korby Batesole, SS, Fresno State University

After taking a high schooler in the 25th round, Boston turned around and selected a college senior with their next pick. Batesole does not appear to be a highly-touted prospect, though he did have a solid four years a the Division I school. This spring, the shortstop played in .318/.376/.424 in 52 games and 198 at bats, with his patience standing out more than anything.

Round 27 (Pick #820): Gregorio Reyes, LHP, No School (??)

I’m going to level with you, I have no idea what’s going on here. There was a Gregorio Reyes who played last year at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, but I don’t know if it’s the same one. All I can tell you is that Reyes is listed as a left-handed high school pitcher, he turned 19 this past January and the MLB Draft Tracker says he has no school. Sure.

Round 28 (Pick #850): Kris Jackson, RHP, Corban College

Well, this pick has a school, as the college senior just finished up his last year at Corban, an NAIA school in Oregon. There’s not much scouting out there, but according to his school’s website he’s a sidearm pitcher who made seven starts and three relief appearances this year. In that time he pitched to a 2.72 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 53 innings of work.

Round 29 (Pick #880): Mason Ronan, LHP, Penn Cambria HS (PA)

This is the most exciting prospect the Red Sox have taken over the last few rounds and will almost certainly take some extra money if they are going to sign him. The southpaw is ranked as Baseball America’s number 308 pre-draft prospect, but there is some work to be done which is not unsurprising given his age. His fastball has sat in the low 90s before but was in the high 80s for most of the spring, but he also has an impressive curveball that could be a plus pitch. He needs to work on refining his changeup as well as his control. Ronan is committed to play at Pittsburgh next year.

Round 30 (Pick #910): Ryan Bliss, SS, Troup County HS (GA)

Boston closed out this third of the draft with another high school player included in Baseball America’s predraft rankings. Bliss, a right-handed hitter, is ranked at number 450 on BA’s list. He’s on the smaller side, listed at just 5’9”, but according to his scouting report he has the potential to be an above-average middle infielder as well as an above-average runner. BA wonders if his arm is better suited for shortstop and also mentions his size probably precludes much power, but there are some good contact skills here. Bliss, like 20th round pick Kason Howell, is committed to Auburn next year.