{"id":121742,"date":"2026-05-12T17:22:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:22:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=121742"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:22:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:22:59","slug":"2026-mlb-draft-red-sox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/05\/12\/2026-mlb-draft-red-sox\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 MLB Draft: Options for the Red Sox in Round One"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft is two months away (July 11th exactly). One of the biggest questions is who the Boston Red Sox will take. Last year, they did make the playoffs, so they\u2019re not exactly in a position for a high pick. Boston owns the 20th pick in the first round going into this draft. But there are still some pretty solid players being projected around that range. Here\u2019s what they need, and five players, according to mock drafts, who the Sox could select.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Team Needs<\/b><\/h2>\n

Corner Infielders\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Red Sox have a desperate need for corner infield depth. <\/span>Caleb Durbin<\/span><\/a> looks like the mainstay at third base for now. But <\/span>Isiah Kiner-Falefa<\/span><\/a> is only on a <\/span>one-year contract<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Triston Casas’<\/span><\/a> injury timeline is unclear for the foreseeable future. And big bat <\/span>Willson Contreras<\/span><\/a> might be one of the names thrown out at the trade deadline if things get bad. In the Red Sox’s<\/span> top 30 Prospects list<\/span><\/a>, there are not really any corner infielders, let alone first basemen.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In terms of third, it could be possible for <\/span>Mikey Romero<\/span><\/a> to shift from shortstop to third base due to the jam created not only in the majors, but with <\/span>Franklin Arias<\/span><\/a> as well. But catcher <\/span>Gerardo Rodriguez <\/span><\/a>is the only guy on the list who\u2019s listed as a possible first baseman. Certainly an area to keep an eye on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Left Handed Pitching<\/b><\/h3>\n

Given how lefty-dominant the current rotation is, this may seem crazy. But in the top 30, there are over twice as many right-handers as left-handers at the top of the minors. More pitching is always good, regardless of what hand someone throws from. But with a lack of consistency in the bullpen (aside from <\/span>Tyler Samaniego<\/span><\/a> and a <\/span>dominant<\/span><\/a> but aging <\/span>Aroldis Chapman<\/span><\/a>), it might be good to search the left-hander department in this year\u2019s draft.<\/span><\/p>\n

Power Hitter\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Alright, a little cheating here. Technically, a power hitter isn\u2019t a position on the field (although a DH could be seen as one). But this team is <\/span>struggling <\/span><\/i>in that department. And if they could steal a big home run hitter in the first round, it might be good for their future after striking out on all the free agents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the 20th Pick, the Boston Red Sox Select\u2026<\/h2>\n

MLB.com<\/b><\/a>: <\/b>Tyler Bell<\/b><\/a>, SS, Kentucky\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Although drafting a shortstop would be questionable, with Arias and <\/span>Dorian Soto<\/span><\/a> in the top ten of Red Sox prospects, one could switch positions or be traded for a big piece. The switch-hitter possesses 20-homer power and has good bat speed. Before the 2026 season, he tore the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, but that wasn\u2019t a huge setback as he returned a month into the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, he will require surgery once the Wildcats’ season has ended. His best attribute is his arm. He\u2019s said to have a strong enough arm that, combined with his athleticism, can make throws from anywhere. Also, because of his athletic ability, this opens him up to the possibility of a utility role, just like <\/span>Andruw Monasterio<\/span><\/a> with Boston this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bleacher Report<\/b><\/a>: <\/b>Eric Becker<\/b><\/a>, SS, Virginia\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

A teammate of Bell\u2019s last summer in the Cape Cod League, Becker is also a super utility guy labelled as a shortstop. Unlike Bell, his arm is seen as just average by scouts. However, the bat he has is what makes him stand out. In his three years at Virginia, he has a career batting average of .349 and has a 60 hit grade in the<\/span> scouting department<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While he may not be the biggest home run hitter, he can certainly get extra-base hits. With 13 doubles this season and 21 last season, in a park like Fenway, he should have no problem getting on base in a couple of years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Baseball America<\/b><\/a>: <\/b>Jared Grindlinger<\/b><\/a>, LHP\/OF, Huntington Beach (CA) HS*<\/b><\/p>\n

*= Paywall Included<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the youngest players going into this year\u2019s draft, Jared Grindlinger, is seen as a legitimate two-way player. At 49th overall, he is seen as the best two-way man on MLB’s draft page. <\/span>While his bat needs a bit of development, given his age, the University of Tennessee commit\u2019s arm is one to look out for. <\/span><\/p>\n

The left-hander has a fastball that sits around 90-93 MPH, getting as high as 96. He\u2019s also got a good changeup, as well as two different types of sliders. His pitch mix is good for someone his age, and he can certainly improve. With the Red Sox\u2019s connection to California prospects the past few years, Grindlinger seems like one of the more likely candidates who should be around at 20.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Jared Grindlinger (\u201826) turned in a stellar complete game performance and one of his best outings to date. The @Vol_Baseball<\/a> commit & #MLBDraft<\/a> prospect is surging like a 1st-rounder. Allowed 5H 0BB & struck out 7 on 90 pitches with a 72% strike rate. Bumped the FB to 96mph &\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/aKxVQDddjf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Perfect Game California (@California_PG) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n