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Red Sox sign first-round catcher Blake Swihart for $2.5 million 08.16.11 at 12:16 am ET
By Alex Speier

In the days leading up to the draft, the Red Sox wrestled with the decision. They were well aware that Blake Swihart, a switch-hitting high school catcher out of New Mexico, would be one of the most difficult signings they could take. They recognized that the 19-year-old had spent much of his life anticipating a college career at the University of Texas, and that he had the closet filled with Longhorns gear to prove it.

And so, in the days leading up to the draft, front office members mulled the pivotal question. If he was still available with the No. 26 pick, would they rather draft Swihart and risk being unable to sign him, or would they rather go for a safer signability bet only to find out that Swihart had indeed been signable when another team locked him up?

Ultimately, those in the draft room felt that they could sleep at night if they selected a player whom they coveted and proved unable to sign him. On the other hand, they would have been dogged by regret had they passed on Swihart for another player whom they did not like as much only to see him begin a professional career for another team.

The Sox’ decision to draft him was informed by a workout that the catcher had in front of team officials. One Saturday this season in New Mexico, he played in a doubleheader, catching in the first game and then playing shortstop in the second. Everything about his game was impressive — his arm and footwork behind the plate, his swings from both sides of the plate, even his defensive comfort in the infield that suggested tremendous athleticism that would make him a prospect at positions other than catcher.

But the most important component of that scouting day may have come after the games. The two Sox evaluators on hand were hoping to work out Swihart. His high school field was unavailable, and so Swihart was happy to hop in a car, drive about 45 minutes to another high school and conduct the workout. Again, the performance was impressive — he showed a tremendous approach and bat control, especially while batting right-handed (his natural side).

The Sox saw a switch-hitting catcher with the chance to emerge as a .300 hitter with 15 or more homers a season and above-average defense. Such a package suggested a potential All-Star, the sort of player who could give the Sox the kind of production that few teams receive from a position that is typified by pitiful offense.

But in some ways, that was not the most significant aspect of the day. The fact that Swihart had been willing to make the haul across New Mexico — after playing for roughly six hours in two games — told the Sox that he hadn’t closed the door to turning pro.

The team knew that Swihart would have to “be convinced” — likely by briefcases filled with owner John Henry‘s cash — but the team felt that other teams’ conclusion that Swihart was virtually unsignable was not entirely accurate. He was not, the Sox felt, in the same class as outfielder Josh Bell, a player who had signaled to teams that there was essentially no amount of money that could convince him to sign.

Ultimately, the Sox were right. Swihart signed for $2.5 million, a bonus figure first reported by Mike Andrews of SoxProspects.com and Keith Law of ESPN.com. It is the largest bonus given out by the Sox to a high school position player under GM Theo Epstein. Of course, if Swihart fulfills the Sox’ projections of him, that sum could end up seeming like a relative pittance. For now, it was enough to get Swihart to pass on his college career at Texas and to turn pro.

Read More: 2011 MLB Draft, blake swihart, longhorns, university of texas Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Babe Ruth Is Dead

    where are all the Theo haters…no snide comments…too much money…how about some love for him taking a risk and it paying off (the kid signed)…which is all they could hope for at this point…but was still a gutsy move…

    before all the whiners start talking about him having to pan out…that is for a later discussion…first you have to draft players…then you have to sign them…and this was a great use of resources by the Sox

  • Jim

    If he becomes an average ballplayer, the Red Sox are getting about 20 million in free money for their “huge” 2.5 investment. If he becomes a star, it’s more like 100+ million. And that’s just one guy. If he’s a total bust, someone else from this draft will emerge and pay for the entire draft with their performance.

  • SoxOrGoHoMe

    This is why Theo rocks. Nobody in baseball has drafted better than Theo Epstein since his arrival in 2003. Theo realizes that paying a kid $2.5 million is a bargain considering you have control of him for the next 7-9 years ( taking into consideration that you will have 4-5 years in the minors and then 4 years in the Bigs before arbitration eligibility is up).

    Theo has never had a top 20 pick until this year. He has drafted more all-stars than any other GM in baseball. Think about teams like the Mariners, Cubs, and Orioles who have had top 10 picks year after year for the past decade and have absolutely nothing to show for it. Theo has drafted all-star players like Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard, and Jed Lowrie. Not to mention all the players he drafted and then flipped for all-star players like Adrian Gonzalez, Victor Martinez, Josh Beckett, and Mike Lowell.

    Theo Epstein deserves so much credit and respect for what he has done with this organization. It’s not easy to get superstar players in the draft when you never have a top 20 pick and Theo has done it year after year. Obviously Theo has had his issues with free agency, but so has every big market club. Look at what the Mets and the Cubs have gone through. Look at all the high-priced busts they’ve had in the past decade. So much so that it’s literally ruined any chances of them being in contention in the near future. Guys like Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano, and Alfonso Soriano have killed the Cubs chances of competing. Johan Santana, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, adn Jason Bay have created similar problems with the Mets. The Yankees have had their own issues with free agency but like the Red Sox they’ve been able to overcome those problems because of all the smart decisions they’ve made with drafting guys, signing international free agents, and making smart moves. Of course, some of these deals may bite them in the ass in a couple years when A-Rod and Jeter are 40, Rafael Soriano is getting paid $15 million a year, and they don’t have guys like Posada and Jeter just waiting in the minors. CC Sabathia will most likely opt out after this season and then get signed to a 7 year deal with the Yankees for rediculous money. What happens if he gets injured?

    Theo Epstein is a genius when it comes to drafting and developing impact players. Sox fans should appreciate what he’s done for this organization.

  • Will

    Blake went to my high school and I just want to say I have watched him personally and he is totally worth 2.5 million. He will be a star in the Red Sox program, he brings what they have been lacking at the catcher position for a long time. He could easily be a career .300 and 30-100 hitter.

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