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.

The Red Sox tabbed catcher Blake Swihart with their second pick of the first round (No. 26 overall) on Monday, and were elated to be able to select a switch-hitting catcher whose bat suggests the possibility of an impact player in the majors, at a position (catcher) where offense is at a premium. Yet while Swihart suggested that he was “excited” to be taken by an organization like the Sox, whom he referred to as “awesome” and “great,” he made clear that there’s no guarantee that he will be starting his pro career this summer.

Swihart, the top prep player from New Mexico, has a scholarship commitment to the University of Texas. And for now, his first choice remains playing for the Longhorns.

“Texas has always been my dream school. I’ve always wanted to go there,” said Swihart. “That’s Plan A right now. But I’m going to keep an open mind and everything.”

In recent weeks, Swihart said, he became aware of the degree of the Sox’ interest when area scout Matt Mahoney was calling on a near-daily basis. That alerted him to Boston’s interest in selecting him, but he was unsure whether the Sox would proceed with the pick based on his commitment to playing in college.

“I expected the Red Sox to be one of the picks for me,” said Swihart. “I kind of saw it coming, but I wasn’t sure at the same time. Just because of my commitment to Texas I wasn’t sure it was going to happen.”

The 19-year-old has been told that Texas would have him catch 75 percent of the time, and move around the field for the rest of the time in order to keep his bat in the lineup. He is hoping that Texas will advance past the Super Regionals to the College World Series; if they do so, he plans to meet with the Longhorns during the tournament. Given his interest in being with the Longhorns, Swihart acknowledged that he wouldn’t sign before the end of the summer.

“I’m still dedicated to Texas. I’m probably going to head out to Omaha after they beat [Arizona State] hopefully this weekend, go hang out with the team. I love the atmosphere out there,” said Swihart. “If I do end up signing, it will probably be at the end, just because I’m really dedicated to Texas.”

While he has dreamed of playing for the Longhorns, Swihart also praised the Sox. He did describe being selected by them as a thrill.

“It’s amazing. It’s awesome. They have a great organization. I’m just excited. It’s pretty cool,” said Swihart. “I was pretty anxious sitting there watching the TV, but it’s a great organization. It’s an honor to be drafted by them.”

Whether his next career step is in college or as a professional (should he sign with the Sox), Swihart said that he had made the decision as a sophomore to become a catcher in hopes of advancing his career on the advice of an academy coach, Ryan Kellner.

“My sophomore year he came up to me and said, ‘Hey, to get to that next step, that next career path, either college or professional baseball, you’ve got to become a catcher.’ He said I could get there at another position, but he thinks that would put me over the top if I started catching,” said Swihart. “A switch-hitting catcher sounded pretty good. It was his idea. Ever since then, I trusted his word, and it’s working out so far.”

Indeed, Swihart put up huge numbers for both Cleveland High School as well as for Team USA last summer (for whom he was the best hitter) while developing his defense. Swihart continued to play in the field as well, and suggests that he is comfortable at any position on the diamond, but that catching now feels like a vocation.

“Every position feels natural. But catcher I actually feel pretty good at right now,” said Swihart. “I worked a lot on my arm slot, a lot on the quickness of my feet. If I keep working, I think I can develop a lot more there.”

Both Texas and the Sox — who would have him start his pro career as a catcher — agree. Other clubs considered him for a position in the field.

“A lot of scouts talked about me playing a corner outfield position, or third base, second base position, but I’m happy to keep catching. I think Boston is looking at me as a catcher. And at Texas, I’ll definitely catch there 75 percent of the time they said,” said Swihart. “I can play any position. Wherever I need to play, I’ll play. If it’s at catcher, I’ll work my butt off and succeed there to get where I need to be.”

For more on Swihart and his prospect status, click here.