Picks 16-20 seemed like business as usual for the Red Sox on Wednesday. The Sox continued their healthy balance between college and high school level talent and picked up a few big bats along the way.
Round 16
The Red Sox made it back-back-back pitching selections by taking right-hander Christopher Machamer out of Kentucky. The sophomore appeared in 23 games for the Wildcats while posting a 2-1 record and 10 saves. Machamer fanned 38 batters over a total of 35 1/3 innings this season with a 3.06 ERA. Batters have hit just .191 against the 21-year-old in his two years at Kentucky.
Round 17
Oklahoma City University catcher Lane Milligan became the No. 520 overall pick of the MLB draft. Milligan put up solid numbers at the plate in his senior season with the Stars, hitting .462/.540/.843 with 15 home runs and 90 RBI’s. The catcher has a big frame at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds.
Round 18
The Red Sox selected relief pitcher Eddie Jimenez with their 18th-round pick. The senior pitched 26 2/3 innings of relief for Southeastern University on his way to a 3-0 record with four saves and a 1.35 ERA. Jimenez struck out 38 this season while only letting up one single home run. Jimenez checks in 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds.
Round 19
Second basemen Jonathan Ortega out of Texas State University was taken with pick No. 580. The junior batted .280 this season while driving in 35 runs and hitting five home runs. Ortega was solid defensively with a .980 fielding percentage at second.
Round 20
The Red Sox selected their fifth high school player of the draft in Kason Howell, an outfielder out of Liberty Christian School in Texas. The six-foot, 180 pound, 19-year-old has a commitment on the table at Auburn. Howell was an honorable mention for the 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game All-American team.