Red Sox Projected To Take College Hitter In New MLB Mock Draft

The Boston Red Sox can strengthen their formidable farm system when the 2025 MLB Draft commences on Sunday, July 13.

Boston picks No. 15 after going 81-81 last year. The organization has selected a position player in the last seven opening rounds since picking Tanner Houck in 2017, and a new MLB mock draft expects that streak to continue.

MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo released his updated Round 1 predictions on Thursday. The scout has Boston picking Arizona outfielder Brendan Summerhill.

Summerhill shined during his junior year, batting .343/.459/.556 with 11 stolen bases and more walks (36) than strikeouts (24). He hasn’t displayed much over-the-wall power, belting 14 home runs in 561 career plate appearances at Arizona, but he’s tallied 30 doubles and 12 triples in the last two seasons.

The profile may remind Red Sox fans of Jarren Duran, so the Red Sox could hope Summerhill also leverages Fenway Park’s Green Monster for numerous doubles.

MLB.com’s scouting report had another left-handed outfielder in mind, comparing the 21-year-old to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jake McCarthy. Boston’s draft slot nearly aligns with MLB’s No. 16 rank for Summerhill.

“Considered by many to be the best player in the four corners region when healthy, Summerhill is a strong and athletic left-handed hitter who has the chance to be a dynamic player on both sides of the ball,” MLB’s scouting report said. “He’s shown a very good approach at the plate, walking nearly as often as he struck out in 2024 and limiting the swing-and-miss that some area scouts saw from him during his time in the Chicago high school ranks. Still, he’ll have to work on his tendency to chase at the next level.”

Mayo mentioned Auburn catcher/outfielder Ike Irish and Wake Forest shortstop Marek Houston as other potential college hitting targets for Boston. He also heard UC Santa Barbara pitcher Tyler Bremner and high school third baseman Gavin Fien floated as possibilities. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel paired Fien with the Red Sox last week.

The Red Sox traded their last two first-round picks (Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery) for Garrett Crochet, but they’ll hope Marcelo Mayer becomes one of their most successful early draft choices.