AL East Round-up: Intriguing 2014 MLB Draft Picks Edition

Oct 23, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; The grounds crew waters the infield as the Boston Strong logo is see in the outfield prior to game one of the MLB baseball World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have one of the most top-heavy systems in all of baseball, with many prospects sitting in the upper levels just waiting for their chance to reach the show. That’s a testament to the solid drafting and recent trades the team has made to deepen its stock of quality youngsters. However, the system is also starting to show some thinness in the lower levels.

So it wasn’t surprising to see the Red Sox split their picks between high-end athletes, like Georgia prep shortstop Michael Chavis and Texas right-hander Michael Kopech, and seasoned college players like Indiana slugging first baseman Sam Travis and Cal-Poly closer Reed Reilly. Overall, you see a sense of balance in the Red Sox picks, knowing which players can move quickly through the system to fill immediate needs and which ones can have more time to develop and capture some huge potential.

One of those players is California high schooler Trenton Kemp, a player MLB.com says is one of the best athletes in the 2014 draft class. A two-sport star that also plays football, Kemp has the speed and range to be an excellent center-fielder. However, it is the promise of emerging power which drew the Red Sox to him and they believe that his raw athleticism and short, compact swing will help him tap into that with the right guidance.