1s.36 Boston Red Sox - Bryce Brentz, OF, Middle Tennessee

The Red Sox selected Bryce Brentz. Here's his profile:

Bryce Brentz   Position: OF   School: Middle Tennessee   State: TN   Year: Jr.   Height: 6’1’’   Weight: 185

Bats: R   Throws: R   Birth Date: 12/30/88   Seiler Rating: 1B3   Last Drafted: 2007 (CLE-30)

Bryce Brentz has become a well-known prospect on account of his eye-popping college statistics at the plate. However, Brentz was first known as a pitching prospect, something he’s mostly kept up in college. The Indians drafted Brentz in the thirtieth round in 2007 as a pitcher out of high school in Knoxville, but he’s matured more as a hitter than pitcher in college at Middle Tennessee. Brentz isn’t the most toolsy player in the college game, but he can flat-out hit. His hit tool rates anywhere from above-average to plus depending on who you’re talking to, with the backers saying that his bat speed is freakishly good, but the detractors saying he can’t hit a decent curveball. His power isn’t questioned, and it’s a plus tool. His other plus tool is an arm that was responsible for getting him drafted off the mound in high school. He’s tried out center field in college this year, but he’s a possible above-average right fielder at the next level, depending on if he can improve his routes. Some makeup questions started popping up last summer when he was with Team USA concerning his work ethic and coachability, but he has allayed those concerns with a good spring that has included a solid return from an ankle injury halfway through the season. He should go somewhere from the middle of the first round into the supplemental first round to a team that fully believes that his plate discipline will improve and his offensive tools will shine.