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MLBFan · 12-23-2009, 06:05 PM

2004 Amateur Draft Recap
June 15, 2004

The 2004 Amateur Draft was chopfull of pitching talent this year. Many top-flight starters like Felix Hernandez, Francisco Liriano, Zach Duke, and Josh Johnson went with the top four picks of the draft. That means, in order, the Devil Rays, Dodgers, White Sox, and Cubs all have new, dominant young starters on their team. And to round out the fifth slot was the most sought after shortstop in the draft -- and even most sought after hitter -- Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez went to the Kansas City Royals where he is expected to make an immediate impact. Boston also was able to draft some prime talent with their twenty-fifth of the draft. They took 2B Aaron Hill.

2B Aaron Hill - 25 Overall Pick of the 2004 Amateur Draft, Boston Red Sox
Aaron Hill was probably the second best middle infielder available in the draft, behind Hanley Ramirez. Hill was not drafted in the top 10 of the draft because of the large signing bonus he demanded. Hill's agent made it very clear to the media that his client would ONLY accept a large, rather risky contract. The 22 year old second baseman as described by Boston scouts is a player with superstar potential and premier power at the second base position. He is expected to be called up to the majors in September, but depending on his performance in Triple-A, he could be up before then.

SP Jonathan Papelbon - 55 Overall Pick of the 2004 Amateur Draft, Boston Red Sox

Papelbon was a steal for the Red Sox in the second round. Why? He possesses the physical makeup and the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter, but due to his inability to go late into games, Paps will probably become one of the better bullpen arms in the game. However, as seen with David Wells, it is highly possible that the Boston pitching coach is able to rework Paps and turn him into a starter. Papelbon is twenty-three.

CL Cla Meredith - 85 Overall Pick of the 2004 Amateur Draft, Boston Red Sox

Meredith, twenty-one, is projected to be nothing more than a quality bullpen arm, or a late inning shutdown guy. It depends on whether or not he is able to get his head in the game and pitch effectively, instead of worrying about the cute blonde sitting behind home plate. Cla, though, will probably be called up to the majors, like Paps and Hill, in September.

Boston also drafted C Geovany Soto, CF Adam Stern, MR Edinson Volquez, and 1B John Ford-Griffin.

12-23-2009, 06:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
MLBFan Bat Boy Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 12 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	2004 Amateur Draft Recap June 15, 2004 The 2004 Amateur Draft was chopfull of pitching talent this year. Many top-flight starters like Felix Hernandez, Francisco Liriano, Zach Duke, and Josh Johnson went with the top four picks of the draft. That means, in order, the Devil Rays, Dodgers, White Sox, and Cubs all have new, dominant young starters on their team. And to round out the fifth slot was the most sought after shortstop in the draft -- and even most sought after hitter -- Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez went to the Kansas City Royals where he is expected to make an immediate impact. Boston also was able to draft some prime talent with their twenty-fifth of the draft. They took 2B Aaron Hill. 2B Aaron Hill - 25 Overall Pick of the 2004 Amateur Draft, Boston Red Sox Aaron Hill was probably the second best middle infielder available in the draft, behind Hanley Ramirez. Hill was not drafted in the top 10 of the draft because of the large signing bonus he demanded. Hill's agent made it very clear to the media that his client would ONLY accept a large, rather risky contract. The 22 year old second baseman as described by Boston scouts is a player with superstar potential and premier power at the second base position. He is expected to be called up to the majors in September, but depending on his performance in Triple-A, he could be up before then. SP Jonathan Papelbon - 55 Overall Pick of the 2004 Amateur Draft, Boston Red Sox Papelbon was a steal for the Red Sox in the second round. Why? He possesses the physical makeup and the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter, but due to his inability to go late into games, Paps will probably become one of the better bullpen arms in the game. However, as seen with David Wells, it is highly possible that the Boston pitching coach is able to rework Paps and turn him into a starter. Papelbon is twenty-three. CL Cla Meredith - 85 Overall Pick of the 2004 Amateur Draft, Boston Red Sox Meredith, twenty-one, is projected to be nothing more than a quality bullpen arm, or a late inning shutdown guy. It depends on whether or not he is able to get his head in the game and pitch effectively, instead of worrying about the cute blonde sitting behind home plate. Cla, though, will probably be called up to the majors, like Paps and Hill, in September. Boston also drafted C Geovany Soto, CF Adam Stern, MR Edinson Volquez, and 1B John Ford-Griffin.