Red Sox Selections Among ESPN’s ‘Favorite Day 1 Picks’ In MLB Draft

During the first day of the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday, the Red Sox addressed some of their needs and impressed experts.

Boston’s first pick was No. 15, where they took right-handed pitcher Kyson Witherspoon. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel wrote that Witherspoon had interest in the top 10 but dropped to No. 15.

“Kyson is a guy we valued highly entering the draft, and we believe he is one of the top college arms in the class,” Red Sox scouting director Devin Pearson told reporters after Day 1 of the draft.

The Red Sox grabbed another pitcher at the No.33 pick, drafting another right-handed pitcher in Marcus Phillips.

“He’ll need to sharpen his execution a notch, and his short arm action is unique, but there’s midrotation upside,” McDaniel wrote. “Marcus Phillips has a chance to start but could also bring another distinctive look as a late-inning arm with four-plus pitches from a low slot and a triple-digit fastball.”

With the University of Tennessee in 2025, Phillips had a 3.90 ERA, striking out 98 batters through 83 innings.

In the third round, Boston took another pitcher, drafting Anthony Eyanson out of Louisiana State at No. 87.

With the Tigers, he totaled a 3.00 ERA and struck out 152 batters in 108 innings and was a First-Team All-American in 2025. Eyanson was ranked the No. 40 prospect in the draft, according to the MLB Pipeline, but dropped to Boston.

“Anthony Eyanson is a different sort, with fringy fastball velocity but standout command along with a slider and splitter that keep hitters off-balance,” McDaniel wrote.

The Red Sox drafted three potential starters who could impress a few years down the road at Fenway Park.