Recapping the Red Sox draft pick 31-40

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 31 (Pick #947): Feleipe Franks, RHP, Florida

Kicking off the final third of the 2019 draft, the Red Sox opted for some alliteration as well as a college pitcher with this pick. The former Florida Gator, who just finished his junior year, was not ranked by Baseball America or Fangraphs. Franks is an interesting name because he hasn’t played baseball competitively since his junior year of high school. He is currently a quarterback at Florida, but is committed to sticking with football this fall.

Round 32 (Pick #977): Bradley Blalock, RHP, Grayson HS (GA)

The Red Sox went back to the high school ranks with their 32nd pick of the draft, taking a right-handed pitcher in Blalock. As far as I can tell, there is no relation to Hank. Blalock was not ranked by Baseball America or Fangraphs. The righty can get up to about 92 with his fastball, spent high school playing all around the diamond and is committed to Kennesaw State for next year.

Round 33 (Pick #1007): Thayer Thomas, CF, N.C. State

With the 33rd pick of their draft, the Red Sox took their first position player of this back-third in Thayer. The outfielder is a draft-eligible sophomore who is more known for his work as a wide receiver at N.C. State. Yes, the Red Sox have taken two guys towards the end of this draft who are known more for football than baseball. He got just 18 at bats for the Wolfpack this year, collecting four hits, though three went for extra bases.

Round 34 (Pick #1037): Ryan Berardino, 1B, Bentley

Berardino is an interesting player for a few reasons. For one thing, he went to Bentley, which I did not fully realize had an athletics program. More notably, he is the grandson of Hall of Famer Dwight Evans. He is another local kid — from Sudbury — who hit .296/.369/.366 for Bentley this past year.

Round 35 (Pick #1067): Chris Mauloni, RHP, Jacksonville University

Is another draft-eligible sophomore who pitched out of relief for Jacksonville this past spring. The righty was one of the best freshmen in the nation in 2018 but followed it up with a rougher 2019. He made only 12 appearances this past year and finished with a 7.07 ERA. Over his career, he has 71 strikeouts in just 47 innings.

Round 36 (Pick # 1097): Caleb Hill, LHP, University of Montana

We go out to Big Sky Country for the 36th pick, a left-handed pitcher from Montana who just finished up his senior year of college. The southpaw is yet another football player who doesn’t really play baseball anymore. He was a quarterback his first three years before shifting over to tight end in 2019.

Round 37 (Pick # 1127): Connor Prielipp, LHP, Tomah HS (WI)

Prielipp, at first glance, doesn’t seem particularly signable and is rather more of a backup plan this late in the draft. He doesn’t possess a big fastball from the left side nor does his body seem like one of a starter, but his curveball is outstanding and according to MLB.com the spin rate on the pitch is higher than the current major-league average. He is committed to play at Alabama next year.

Round 38 (Pick #1157): Cameron Meeks, RHP, Sam Houston HS (LA)

Speaking of likely backup plans, Meeks is a highly-touted high school arm who was ranked as the number 240 prospect overall by Baseball America. The righty out of Louisiana is committed to McNeese State next year. He has a big frame that should be able to hold more velocity once he grows a little more, and he has an average breaking ball to go with his fastball. Per BA, he almost threw a perfect game in the state semifinals this year.

Round 39 (Pick #1187): Sammy Faltine, RHP, Travis HS (TX)

Faltine is one of the most highly-rated players of this entire class for the Red Sox and will likely go unsigned being taken this late. The righty was ranked number 89 by Baseball America and 118 by Fangraphs. His full name is Sammy Faltine III, so he also goes by Trey. He’s a legitimate two-way player possibility who is committed to play at Texas next year, and on the mound he has a nice, moving fastball as well as a curveball, a changeup and a slider. It would be a coup if the Red Sox could sign him, but it would likely mean something has gone not according to plan higher up in the draft class.

Round 40 (Pick #1217): Garrett Irvin, LHP, Riverside CC (CA)

Irvin, this year’s Mr. Irrelevant as the final pick in the draft, just finished his second year at JuCo. He thrived on the mound, too, striking out 98 in 96 innings with a 2.25 ERA. Per Baseball America, in high school he was the only player to strike out former Brewers first round pick Brice Turang in the latter’s junior year. He’s committed to play at Arizona next year.