Those funds allowed Boston to select two high-upside high-schoolers: power-hitting outfielder Martin Shelar (from Georgia) in the ninth round, and lanky righthander Kaleb LaFavor (from Iowa) in the 10th.
This draft was the first run by Sox director of amateur scouting Jake Bruml, who was a key assistant in the draft room for the past six years.
“The best college players remaining tend to go in those fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds, and we didn’t want to really risk missing out on that,” said Bruml. “And we were hopeful that we could get Shelar and LaFavor to the ninth and 10th, so we weren’t looking at a tier below from a college player perspective.”
Bruml said the Sox generally focused on strike-throwing pitchers with potential to develop into starters.
The blend of physical traits and excellent control is evident in fifth-round pick Lucas Davenport, a 6-foot-6-inch, 230-pound righthander from Baylor. Davenport generates good extension on his delivery and a fastball that sits 94-96 miles per hour.
“We knew they were the most interested team, and it’s a great fit,” said Davenport. “We saw a lot of growth this year, and I think there’s another level of growth that we can get to. And I think this is a great place to be for that development aspect.”
The Sox’ sixth-round pick was Abilene Christian’s Brett Lanman, a 6-5, 228-pound workhorse who did not miss a start across his three collegiate seasons.
Head coach Rick McCarty described Lanman as a “durable frame, strike-thrower” that reached the mid-90s on his fastball without using maximum effort.
McCarty highlighted one of the Sox’ recent pitching development success stories — Payton Tolle, a 6-6-inch, 250-pound lefthander — as a potential model for Lanman.
“[Lanman] has got some real ride and carry on his fastball. I’m not comparing him to Tolle . . . but there’s some similarities. That guy is kind of a different animal, but Brett’s not far behind with the physical stature,” said McCarty. “So I hope he can do the same thing and have a fast climb for the Red Sox.”
With significant money still available in their signing bonus pool — which can be critical in luring players away from college commitments — the Red Sox made their move at pick No. 274 on Shelar, committed to Mississippi State.
Shelar, a power-hitting outfielder with above-average speed, was ranked by most public scouting services between No. 100 and No. 175. His 19 home runs in 33 games were the most of any high schooler, and he also showcased his immense power with a 470-foot home run during the MLB Combine’s on-field workouts.
“The power tool obviously is the easiest thing to see, just because when it gets synched up and he lets it go, it’s unmistakable what’s coming off his bat,” said Mike Strickland, who was Shelar’s coach at Marist School in Atlanta. “But to me, after spending four years with him, his No. 1 tool is work. I’ve seen very few kids over the course of my 30 years in baseball who have loved to work at getting better and improving and challenging themselves like Martin Shelar.”
The Sox again went above slot value with LaFavor, a righthander from Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City, Iowa, who has already reached 95 m.p.h. with his 6-6, 180-pound frame.
Bruml invoked a lofty name — Brewers All-Star Jacob Misiorowski — in projecting the upside for LaFavor as he gains strength and refines his mechanics.
“If we’re trying to dream big here . . . he fits the bill,” said Bruml.
“He’s as projectable as they come with that 6-6 body, going to add more to the frame. [He has] crazy release rates, and hopefully once he gets into our development system, he’s going to take off once he gets those added velo gains that we’re expecting to come.”
Pending physicals, Bruml said he expects the Sox to sign each of their first 10 selections.
Matty Wasserman can be reached at matty.wasserman@globe.com. Follow him @Matty_Wasserman.
