Having covered some of the college bats the Red Sox might be looking at with the 2019 MLB draft approaching, it's time to move on to some college pitchers.
It's a weird year for college pitching — to quote Baseball America, "there are few standout, top-of-the-rotation type arms to be found on the college side." There aren't any Casey Mizes or Stephen Strausburgs this year, but the Red Sox could still find some talent (if perhaps talent better suited for the bullpen) with either of their second round picks.
The reality of baseball's development timeline is that any potential picks usually wouldn't log any major league innings for a few years, and while it's possible that Boston would look for some major league-ready arms — rather than young starters were high upside — to try and address obvious deficiencies in the bullpen, Vice President of Amateur Scouting Mike Rikard told the media Thursday that he's looking for talent rather than organizational need.
In any case, here are a few college pitchers the Red Sox might be looking at next week.
1. Matt Cronin, LHP, Arkansas
Arkansas lefty Matt Cronin went 69th to the Red Sox in FanGraphs' recent mock draft, as a guy Boston likes in this year's class. Cronin is one of the few major-league ready arms in the draft, and will probably be one of the first relievers to go this year, even if 69th would be a bit earlier to take a reliever.
The big lefty brings a big fastball, with his four-seamer topping out at 97 mph and usually sitting between 92-94. His offspeed stuff isn't outstanding, as he really only throws one other pitch, but his 12-6 curveball from a very high arm slot — his delivery is as over-the-top as it gets — has been very good for him this season.
The Arkansas junior has some control issues, walking 14 batters in just 26 innings this season, but 39 strikeouts to go along with a 2.09 ERA and a .169 opponent batting average suggests real promise if he can find some consistency with his command.
The concerns are the command and a high-recoil delivery, but Cronin's frame and his potential as a power guy in the bullpen that'll be ready relatively early could be really enticing.
2. Isaiah Campbell, RHP, Arkansas
A pair of Razorback teammates will both likely go in the second round, as Arkansas' best reliever and best starter project similarly in this year's draft.
Isaiah Campbell has been the star Friday night guy for Arkansas, posting some impressive numbers with a 10-1 record and a 2.37 ERA, sitting down 100 batters and walking just 18 in 95 innings and holding opposing batters to a .211 average at the plate.
The big right-hander boasts an athletic 6-foot-5 inch frame that contributes to an effortless fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches 96 or 97 mph, which he works with a decent changeup and a newly-developed slider that's worked wonders for him in 2019.
Campbell's got obvious raw potential and improved consistency in his command this season, but injury concerns were problematic for his draft stock — but with his big new breaking ball, his already-impressive fastball and his physical attributes, he could very well stick as a starter.
3. Tyler Baum, RHP, North Carolina
A junior at UNC, Tyler Baum has been the Tar Heels' Friday starter for most of the season and saw his draft stock rise this spring.
The righty's 3.76 ERA isn't exactly stellar, but his peripherals — walking just 24 batters while striking out 88 in 81 innings — are better, as he's shown form closer to his strong freshman campaign in Chapel Hill.
Baum brings a good fastball —sitting in the low-to-mid-90s but touching 96 or 97 mph at times — and two decent offspeed pitches with his curveball and changeup, mixing in the occasional cutter.
On his stuff alone, with a plus fastball and two other pitches that could be workable, Baum could be gone before the Red Sox have a chance, but would be a solid choice if he's still on the board.
4. Drey Jameson, RHP, Ball State
A bit of a reach, since the Red Sox would probably need to use their first second-round pick to get him, Drey Jameson is very impressive.
The Ball State righty isn't going to wow anyone with his frame at 6 feet and about 165 pounds, but with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and tops out at 98 mph, and good if inconsistent secondary offerings with his changeup and slider, as well as a workable curveball, Jameson has electric stuff when he's on.
That last part is one of two major caveats, as he's been pretty inconsistent, particularly with his command. The other is a small frame that raises durability questions, which leaves plenty of scouts thinking he might be better suited for a bullpen role down the road.
Still, 136 strikeouts in 85 innings is nothing to sneeze at, and Jameson's stuff might be enough to draw interest from the Red Sox.
