Expert Predicts Red Sox Select College Shortstop In Upcoming MLB Draft

The college baseball season is over, and the MLB draft is less than two weeks away. On July 12, teams will come together to begin the 20-round draft.

The Boston Red Sox own the 15th pick in this year’s draft. The farm system is incredibly talented on both sides of the ball. Because of the depth, they should be able to select the best player available, while considering the estimated signing bonus.

Last season, the Red Sox selected pitchers with four of their first six selections. When Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow was hired, the lack of minor league pitching depth was a criticism of the organization. Over the past year or so, the team has made significant strides in pitching development and seen several arms rise in prospect rankings.

Baseball America released their MLB Mock Draft 5.0, and predicts the Red Sox select Gavin Kilen, a shortstop out of the University of Tennessee. The Red Sox haven’t picked a pitcher in the first round since Tanner Houck in 2017. Selecting Kilen would continue that trend.

Kilen hit .357 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs in 53 games for Tennessee as a junior. The Red Sox selected him out of high school in 2022, but Kilen elected to enroll in college at Louisville University.

Kilen started the 2025 season at second but later moved over to shortstop. His long-term home is likely at second base due to his five-foot-eleven frame and average arm strength. He has solid batted ball skills and a good eye at the plate from the left side, leading to more walks than strikeouts.

His profile on the Tennessee website notes he’s a Red Sox fan and that David Ortiz is his favorite athlete.

The Red Sox also own the 33rd overall pick, acquired as part of the Quinn Priester trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.