The Boston Red Sox had a stellar start to their 2025 draft. They had many picks to dig their fingers into (#15, #33, #75, and #87), and they utilized three of them on pitchers...all out of college as well.
Kyson Witherspoon (No. 15)
With the 15th pick in the draft, they selected RHP Kyson Witherspoon out of Oklahoma, coming out of his sophomore season. He was ranked 10th on the draft board and fell right into the Red Sox's lap, with many projecting him to be picked ahead of RHP Seth Hernandez in the top 10. It worked out for them, since they're desperate for pitching prospects.
Witherspoon had a career 3.16 ERA in school, with 210 strikeouts (11.1 K/9) with an 18-6 record in just two seasons. One-half of the Witherspoon twins has been scouted since his high school days (along with his brother, Malachi), and has not disappointed. His fastball has reached 99 MPH as a 20-year-old, along with a devastating slider and cutter. Not only that, he also has a curveball and a changeup to work with as well.
Kyson will be determined to make the bigs, and plenty are already believing he could be making the roster as soon as next season. If that comes to pass, the Red Sox will have a much-needed pitcher on their hands.
Marcus Phillips (No. 33)
With the 33rd pick in the draft, the Red Sox selected RHP Marcus Phillips out of his sophomore season, this time out of the hands of Tennessee's stacked rotation. This pick was acquired in the Quinn Priester trade with Milwaukee earlier this year.
Many scouts loved Phillips for his attitude and the heat on his fastball, much like Liam Doyle (teammate, LHP who was picked #5 overall by the Cardinals). He has a great fastball that tops out at 100 MPH. He has a slider that can reach the 90s as well, along with a changeup, too. However, he's pegged out to be the outlier.
Scouts have been very critical about his arm action, and to be fair, it's a good concern to look at. He's not very smooth with it, and many say that he may never have more than fringe command because of his delivery. However, if the Red Sox can work with it, he'll be much better off.
Anthony Eyanson (No. 87)
With the 87th pick in the draft, the Red Sox selected another 20-year-old RHP, and this time, out of LSU: Anthony Eyanson. Eyanson, funny enough, was ranked higher (#40) than Marcus Phillips (#61). However, this doesn't matter in the long run, because the Red Sox got a STEAL for an 87th overall pick.
In his 2025 season with the Tigers, he went 12-2 with a 3.00 ERA with 152 strikeouts (12.6 K/9), helping them win the 2025 College World Series. He's one of the more underrated prospects in this draft class; there's no doubt about that.
His best pitch is his slider, and the Red Sox love that about him. To them, nothing matters more than utilizing a pitcher's offspeed stuff. He has a curveball that can be lethal as well, and a fastball that can reach up to 98 on a good day. However, his fourth pitch is the changeup, which has great break on it but can't command it just yet.
Many have him as a potential #3 starter for the Red Sox soon, but his floor could just very well be a reliever. But with the way he's already learned how to throw his three pitches in college, there's no doubt that he could skyrocket through the minors.
Many believe that the Red Sox could have two steals on their hands, with more coming in the later rounds. If even one of them pans out, that's all they need.