TUESDAY, 7:07pm: Vitek has passed his physical and will probably sign his contract on Wednesday, Speier reports. Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that Vitek will receive a $1.36MM bonus, as expected.
FRIDAY, 12:21pm: The Red Sox have reached an agreement with first round pick Kolbrin Vitek, pending a physical, according to ESPN.com's Keith Law (via Twitter). Immediately after Monday night's draft, Vitek told reporters that he had reached a "verbal agreement" with the Red Sox and Alex Speier of WEEI.com reported at the time that the deal would be for slot money. That likely means a bonus worth about $1.36MM for the 20th overall pick, who said Monday that he didn't want to spend much time negotiating.
“I expect to sign right away and get playing and start my career right away,” Vitek said.
The Red Sox spoke to Vitek, a two-way player at Ball State, about playing third base and that's where he expects to play. The 21-year-old Ohio native stands 6'3".
Why pass on Cox if they wanted a third baseman? Does Cox project more as a 2B? Or were they trying to sign a guy for slot like they did?
Vitek is better and cheaper.
Cox may indeed be better and St. Louis made a good pick with him down at #25 in grabbing him, but Vitek projects as a 3B and Boston had a very expensive draft just if they sign the 1st 6 picks, then they grabbed Kendrick Perkins with their 6th round draft pick and young fireballers Adam Duke and Eric Jaffe in rounds 16 and 19. Just the picks (6 total) from rounds 1 through 4 are projected to cost in the 7M plus range. How bad can the bust Bud selig’s ridiculous draft slotting system without the poor mouthing teams whining about it by drafting Cox at #20 over Vitek?
OK, cool I was just curious, I had read different reports about who was better and I didn’t realize that they picked so many expensive guys.
they drafted kendrick perkins?? same name as the center of the celtics? awkward…
He actually is a decent raw player and 2 sport athlete who will be looking for above slot money.
boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bas…
He actually is a decent raw player and 2 sport athlete who will be looking for above slot money.
boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bas…
they drafted kendrick perkins?? same name as the center of the celtics? awkward…
They obviously like him better, at least for the cost. Keith Law also had him pegged as a potential CF, while a lot of people wonder if Cox can play third in the long term.
Because they liked him better?
Good attitude.
Apparently, Cox plays more comfortably at 2b and Vitek played 3b, but was moved to 2b to save his arm between pitching starts.
i like Kolbrin, his name and attitude, i hope he makes the big club
I like this kid. A pure hitter from all reports. Exciting.
I wonder how much emphasis is placed on the position a draftee plays. Most are at least a few years away from the majors, so anything can happen during that time. I would think you would want the best player possible, regardless of position. That being said, from what I have seen, this kid appears to be good.
I read a while ago Epstein saying the same thing. He said that you can’t draft to plug weaknesses in the MLB club because they’re years away (unlike the NFL draft). So, I think Epstein did indeed take the best player available at the time.
Though obviously a guy who could play 2nd or 3rd is more valuable than a similar hitter that’s an OF or 1B.
Agreed. I also remember Theo saying something similar. It just makes sense to me. :O)
Agreed. I also remember Theo saying something similar. It just makes sense to me. :O)
I read a while ago Epstein saying the same thing. He said that you can’t draft to plug weaknesses in the MLB club because they’re years away (unlike the NFL draft). So, I think Epstein did indeed take the best player available at the time.
Though obviously a guy who could play 2nd or 3rd is more valuable than a similar hitter that’s an OF or 1B.
I wonder how much emphasis is placed on the position a draftee plays. Most are at least a few years away from the majors, so anything can happen during that time. I would think you would want the best player possible, regardless of position. That being said, from what I have seen, this kid appears to be good.
Sox indeed never draft by position, and they probably value makeup more than any other club (and do more work to assess it). Vitek’s makeup is reportedly off the proverbial charts.
Agreed. You can almost write down the Sox drafting power arms throughout the drat at the top and middle rounds, then signing several since the guys can be turned into middle relievers/closers if they do not make it as a starter, but drafting for a position is something the Epstein era Sox do not do.
Something else with regards to earlier post up top and Cox. Boston still has Will Middlebrooks at High A ball and last year gave 3rd round pick a large over slot bonus Dave Renfroe to play 3B. Imagine they are hoping one of those (and Vitek) can be a long term solution.
BTW, Middlebrooks was just named the starting 3rd baseman on the Carolina League All-Star team. He’s hitting .299 with four homers, 18 doubles, and 23 RBI at Salem.
BTW, Middlebrooks was just named the starting 3rd baseman on the Carolina League All-Star team. He’s hitting .299 with four homers, 18 doubles, and 23 RBI at Salem.
Agreed. You can almost write down the Sox drafting power arms throughout the drat at the top and middle rounds, then signing several since the guys can be turned into middle relievers/closers if they do not make it as a starter, but drafting for a position is something the Epstein era Sox do not do.
Something else with regards to earlier post up top and Cox. Boston still has Will Middlebrooks at High A ball and last year gave 3rd round pick a large over slot bonus Dave Renfroe to play 3B. Imagine they are hoping one of those (and Vitek) can be a long term solution.
Sox indeed never draft by position, and they probably value makeup more than any other club (and do more work to assess it). Vitek’s makeup is reportedly off the proverbial charts.
I like this kid. He’s been compared to Dustin Pedroia only at 3B or maybe even CF.
This kid sucks I saw him play.
You know I remember people who thought the same thing about Pedroia his rookie year and thought Alex Cora was better. I assume you would be one of those types of people
Welp. I’m convinced.