Homegrown: Red Sox 2016 Draft Class

The Boston Red Sox, built on homegrown talent, are dominating the 2016 MLB draft.

Boston Red Sox General Manager Dave Dombrowski inherited the holy grail when he assumed the reigns of the team this past off-season– a wealth of homegrown talent.

Veteran Sox-grown players include Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz, and even Hanley Ramirez (Ramirez was a Red Sox prospect traded to the Florida Marlins for Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett).

Boston’s recent draft success is unprecedented, netting Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Matt Barnes, Blake Swihart and Christian Vazquez. The team expanded on home-grown talent, reaching into Aruba to sign Xander Bogaerts and Cuba to sign Rusney Castillo. The Epstein-Cherington Era was a golden age for Red Sox draft classes; in 2011 alone, Boston picked Bradley, Betts, and Travis Shaw.

Sep 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) comes off the field during the fourth inning of a gfame against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Today, Dombrowski is in the midst of his first draft as czar of the Boston Red Sox. As Dombrowski looks to build on the success of previous Sox classes, the burden is lessened by the fact that Boston’s farm system is already absolutely loaded with talent.

However, the Red Sox do have some organizational weaknesses. First, Boston is in need of (and openly admitted to be targeting) starting pitching. Whereas the Sox’ minor league rosters are overflowing with positional talent (OF Andrew Benintendi, INF Yoan Moncada, 1B Sam Travis, etc.), pitching seems to have been neglected at the developmental level. As evidenced by the Red Sox major league roster (only one of five starting pitchers are homegrown), Boston has struggled to carry previous starting pitchers from draft day through Fenway opening day.

Next, the Sox will have to find an eventual fill-in for retiring DH David Ortiz. Although the future Hall-of-Famer is irreplaceable, Boston could look to find his long-term successor in the draft. The Red Sox are also said to be targeting relief pitching.

The next generation of Boston Red Sox– by way of the 2016 draft class– includes:

1(12): SP Jason Groome (L), Barnegat H.S. (NJ)

2(51): SS/INF C.J. Chatham, FAU (FL)

3(88): CP Shaun Anderson, UF

4(118): 3B/RHP Bobby Dalbec, UA

5(148): RHP Mike Shawaryn, UMD

6(178): CP Steve Nogosek, Oregon

7(208): LF/OF Ryan Scott, Ark- Little Rock

8(238): C Alan Marrero, International Baseball Academy (Puerto Rico)

9(268): CF Matt McLean, UT-Arlington

10(298): SS/INF Santiago Espinal, Miami-Dade Comm. College South

Consistent with the Red Sox’ needs, they drafted two closers (Shaun Anderson and Steve Nogosek) and a potential ace (Jason Groome) within their first six selections. Anderson and Nogosek are both coming from college, and will be easier to sign than the still-college bound Jason Groome.

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However, Boston does have a $3.5 million limit for Groome’s contract slot; there is optimism within the organization that a deal could get done.

High school pitchers such as Groome are difficult to sign. This will represent a tall order for Dombrowski, and could set the table for how his regime negotiates with future Sox draft picks. Unfortunately, the 17-year-old lefty is seeking “top five pick” money; which is outside of the scope of the $3.5 million max number the Red Sox can spend on the pick.

Regardless of Jason Groome, the Red Sox will work diligently to sign each of their top picks. If they are successful, they could have two young, potential closers in the works. Dalbec, whom the Red Sox drafted as a third baseman out of Arizona, also has the potential to be an ace.

Next: Massachusetts DFS Laws Take Affect In July

Keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions for continued coverage on the Red Sox draft class.

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