jsinger121

Sox got Lars Anderson too in the 18th round. Getting Laporta and Anderson and some other solid HS picks along with the first 4-5 picks make this a very good draft.

Sox select Matt Laporta in the 14th round.

Tonight's Lineups Crisp-CF Loretta-2B Ortiz-DH Ramirez-LF Nixon-RF Varitek-C Lowell-3B Youkilis-1B Cora-SS -Pauley P Damon-CF Cabrera-LF Giambi-DH Rodriguez-3B Posada-C Cano-2B Philips-1B Williams-RF Cairo-SS -Wang P

both players have been falling of late.

Scouting reports Daniel Bard, North Carolina There may be no one who mystifies scouts more than Bard. He began the year as someone who could battle his teammate Andrew Miller for top pick honors, pitched well as the Saturday starter for a while to even draw a Friday start. But then the wheels fell off and he struggled so much he got moved to Sundays. He was so-so for a while before he opened some eyes with a four-hit shutout on April 23. People started to get excited when he followed that up with another superb start until he regressed last Sunday by not getting out of the fourth inning. Still, he's got an easy and fluid motion that enables him to throw in the mid-90s without too much effort. His breaking ball is a curve that isn't consistent, and his fastball can lack movement. Despite his ups and downs, he does have a 3.75 ERA and .220 batting average against with 78 Ks in 72 IP. Scout says: "He has great stuff all across the board. He's what a pitcher is supposed to look like physically. But his pitching performances have been like mood swings. I would say it will be interesting to see which club steps up and thinks they can make him a consistent performer with his stuff. His stuff belongs in the first five picks." Jason Place, Wren High School (S.C.) Place, who has played five years of varsity ball in high school, closed out the prep season on the sidelines with a serious leg injury. He's committed to the University of South Carolina, but a lot will depend on where he is selected. Place is devoted to baseball, forsaking other high school sports. The work has paid off because he has decent power and can hit for average. "He's kind of an enigma guy," one scout said. "He's a right-handed power corner guy, but he's a risky bet for a high school hitter. There are some people who like him, but I'm waffling on him a little. I can see a lot of Kevin Mench in him. He can drive the ball and has a good swing. I can't say anything negative about him and I know there are teams on him in the first round."

Sox select Jason Place HS OF and Daniel Bard RHP in 1st round

The draft so far 1. KC - Luke Hochevar, RHP 2. COL - Gregory Reynolds, RHP 3. TBY - Evan Longoria, 3B 4. PIT - Brad Lincoln, RHP 5. SEA - Brandon Morrow, RHP 6. DET - Andrew Miller, LHP 7. LAD - Clayton Kershaw, LHP 8. CIN - Robert Stubbs, CF 9. BAL - William Rowell, 3B 10. SFG - Tim Lincecum, RHP 11. ARI - Max Scherzer, RHP 12. TEX - Kasey Kiker, LHP 13. CHC - Tyler Colvin OF????? 14. TOR - Travis Snider OF

I have been hearing yes because of boras but you never know. He is falling in the draft though.

Late Word From The Top 11:38 a.m.: Multiple sources are confirming that the Royals, as Baseball America has projected, will take Fort Worth Cats righthander Luke Hochevar with the No. 1 choice at 1 p.m. ET. The Dodgers, who pick No. 7, are believed to be zeroing in on Motlow State (Tenn.) CC righthander Bryan Morris. It's possible Morris would be available when Los Angeles picks next at No. 26. But the Dodgers could lose him to the Braves at No. 24 or the Angels at No. 25, and don't want to risk it. --Jim Callis

11:12 a.m.: Late word on the Royals' decision at No. 1 included speculation that incoming general manager Dayton Moore advocated taking Drew Stubbs rather than the pitchers the Royals were considering. If Stubbs goes No. 1, no one will be more surprised than Stubbs. A source close to the Texas outfielder said he had not heard from the Royals about possibly going 1/1. -- John Manuel This would be a reach by the Royals if this happened.

Only on MLB.tv I believe

Just alittle over 12 hours until the start of the draft.

And this one finally ends.....All I have to say is Beckett better learn how to become a pitcher instead of a thrower or this team could be in trouble.

Preston Wilson of all people breaks it up

Lester's final line tonight in Indianapolis 4inn 4H 0ER 5BB 3K's

He's got great stuff but he doesn't know how to damn pitch yet.......too many fastballs....it doesn't have the movement.

He doesn't suck but hes needs to listen to people like schilling and try to do things a different way. He only throws fastballs alot of the time....Its time for him to harness his stuff and become a freakin pitcher instead of a damn thrower.

Right now Jonathan Papelbon is more advanced as a pitcher than Beckett is

Beckett needs to learn to throw a damn splitter. he fastball is too damn straight unlike papelbons.

This is ridiculous.....Beckett stop a fastball all the f***ing time....learn to pitch rather than f***ing just throw.

Beckett needs to learn how to be more of a pitcher rather than a thrower....He really should listen more to what schilling has to say. I saw an interview with him and he said that he has his own way but he really needs to learn how to pitch.

that would not be a bad call.....a safety squeeze

lowell gets a hit.....1-1 now.....varitek up now 5-50 lifetime against mussina

1st and 3rd now....let's get some runs