Recapping Red Sox draft picks 11-20

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 11 (Pick #347): Sebastian Keane, RHP, North Andover HS (MA)

The Red Sox started their third day of the 2019 draft with a local kid, making their second high school selection of the draft. The righty is tall at 6’3” but has yet to fill out. Right now, he throws a fastball in the low-90s as well as a changeup and a pair of breaking balls. None of the stuff really jumps out right now, but scouts see the potential for growth physically and as a pitcher. There’s definitely work to be done, but you can see the potential for here. Keane was ranked as the number 140 prospect at Baseball America and as the number two high school pitcher on Fangraphs among those not in the top 138 overall. He is committed to Northeastern, but one wonders if the hometown connection might make it easier to sign the high school arm.

Round 12 (Pick #377): Brendan Cellucci, LHP, Tulane University

Boston went back to the college well with their twelfth pick, taking the southpaw Brendan Cellucci out of Tulane. He is a fourth-year sophomore who was unranked by both Baseball American and Fangraphs. Cellucci is a relief-only prospect who struggled mightily in his freshman year and was not great for the first half of his sophomore year, either. He turned it on in a big way down the stretch, though, eventually turning himself into Tulane’s closer. The southpaw did stumble again down the stretch, but he showed enough flashes that the Red Sox felt comfortable in taking him early in Day Three.

Round 13 (Pick #407): Blake Loubier, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL)

There is not a whole lot of information out there on Loubier, who is committed to Wake Forest next year. The righty was unranked on Baseball America as well as Fangraphs. He went to the same high school as Mark Bellhorn, and that’s about all I’ve got here.

Round 14 (Pick #437): Jordan Beck, 1B, Hazel Green HS (AL)

Beck is the third high school player taken among the first four picks of the third day of the draft for the Red Sox as well as the first position player. He was announced as a first baseman but spent his high school days in the corner outfield spots. The right-handed hitter is a big kid, standing at 6’3”, 215 pounds. He was unranked on Baseball America, though was named the 12th best prospect from the state of Alabama. Fangraphs had him ranked as the 36th best high school hitter among those not in the top 138 overall. The power potential is the biggest calling card here. Beck is committed to Tennessee next year.

Round 15 (Pick #467): Aaron Roberts, RHP, Desert Oasis HS (NV)

Roberts is an interesting prospect, though one who probably ends up in the bullpen. The big righty from Nevada is committed to Cal next season and ranked number 369 on Baseball America’s top 500. He throws a fastball that can get up to the mid 90s as well as a slider. However, there is some violence with his delivery that can lead to poor command and could be troublesome in longer outings at the higher levels.

Round 16 (Pick #497): Oraj Anu, LF, George Wallace CC (AL)

Anu is a familiar name for the organization, as they drafted him back in 2017 as well. I remember that because he was a fascinating prospect at the time who was home schooled and did all of his baseball playing in summer showcases. He is committed to Kentucky next year and was ranked as the number 83 college hitter among those not in the top 138 overall by Fangraphs. Anu is a good athlete who comes from an athletic family. His mother was an Olympic runner while his father played college football.

Round 17 (Pick #527): Alex Erro, IF, Northwestern

With their 17th pick the Red Sox selected a switch-hitting infielder from the Big 10. He spent the earlier parts of his career playing second base and worked third base into his repertoire in 2019. The junior had a big year at the plate, too, finishing the year as first team All-Big 10. Erro hit .322/.372/.455 on the year.

Round 18 (Pick #557): Jacob Herbet, C, George Jenkins HS (FL)

The Red Sox took their second catcher of the draft with their 18th pick, taking a high school catcher from Florida. Herbert was not ranked by Baseball America or Fangraphs prior to the draft. He was supposed to work out for Red Sox scouts this spring but was not able to after his team made the state tournament. He is committed to play at the State College of Florida next year.

Round 19 (Pick #587): Joe Davis, 1B, Houston

The Red Sox took a college senior with their 19th pick, taking a big 230 pound first baseman from Houston. He was not ranked by Baseball America but was the number 84 college bat on Fangraphs among those not on their top 138 overall. This past year he his .295/.426/.605. He also has a handlebar mustache.

Round 20 (Pick #617): Reed Harrington, RHP, Spokane Falls CC (WA)

Harrington is a JuCo pitcher who was in his third year since graduating high school. The righty was not ranked by Baseball America or Fangraphs. The Idaho native is committed to Boise State next season and is coming off a huge season at Spokane Falls. Serving as the team’s closer, he didn’t allow an earned run over 25 ²⁄₃ innings with 31 strikeouts and four walks.