Red Sox Beat Deadline, Sign 8 Draft Picks
BOSTON (CBS) – The Boston Red Sox signed eight players selected in the 2011 draft late Monday night, including the team's two first round picks.
The Red Sox came to terms with eight players before the Monday's midnight deadline to reach a deal with draft picks.
The team signed 19th overall pick Matt Barnes, a right-handed pitcher taken out of UConn, for $1.5 million. Barnes went 11-5 with a 1.93 ERA and 117 strikeouts during his junior season for the Huskies. He was named the Big East Pitcher of the Year in 2011, leading the conference in wins (110), strikeouts (97) and ERA (1.20). He walked just 26 batters in 105 innings.
Barnes, who grew up a Yankees fan in Bethel, CT, is a power pitcher projected to be a middle of the rotation for Boston in the next few years.
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Boston also came to terms with catcher Blake Swihart, the 26th overall selection and first backstop taken in the draft. The 19-year-old hit .602 with 17 doubles, five home runs, 41 RBI and 58 runs scored in his senior year at V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, NM. The switch-hitter was listed as the top catcher in the draft by Baseball America.
Swihart, who had a scholarship to play at Texas, signed a $2.5 million deal with the Sox.
Also among those signed are left-handed pitcher Henry Owens (compensation round), outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (compensation round), right-handed pitcher Noe Ramirez (fourth round), shortstop Mookie Betts (fifth round) and left-hander Cody Kukuk (seventh round).
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The Red Sox were not able to come to terms with outfielder Senquez Golson, their eighth round selection, who is heading to Ole Miss to play baseball and football.
Overall, the Red Sox have signed 29 selections from this year's draft, including 16 picks from the top 15 rounds.
