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Red Sox 2024 draft tracker: Complete list of Boston’s picks Originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Red Sox’s first draft with Craig Breslow at the helm as chief baseball officer is in full swing.
With his first selection — The 12th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft — The Red Sox selected outfielder Braden Montgomery from Texas A&M. Breslow shifted his focus to pitching in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, taking TCU lefty Payton Tolle ranked No. 50 overall and Florida right-hander Brandon Neely at No. 86.
Check back here for live updates after every Red Sox pick from Sunday through Tuesday.
First round, pick 12: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M
Montgomery, 21, hit .322/.454/.733 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs in 67 games last season for the Aggies. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder is a switch-hitter who projects as a corner outfielder in the pros.
Classified as MLB Pipeline’s Top 8 Prospects In the draft, Montgomery has great power and a strong arm. While his plate discipline took a step in the right direction last season, he will look to improve his swing and error at the professional level.
Montgomery broke his ankle during this year’s College World Series, but said Sunday he doesn’t expect his injury to be a long-term problem.
Round 2, Pick 50: Payton Tolle, LHP, TCU
Tolle, 21, posted a 7-4 record with a 3.21 ERA in 14 starts for the Horned Frogs last season. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder racked up 125 strikeouts and 37 walks in 81.1 innings of work and was named the Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year.
Tolle relies on deception with a fastball that hovers around 90-92 mph and tops out at 96. His arsenal also includes a slider and an average changeup. Many project him to become a reliever if he reaches the majors.
Third round, pick 86: Brandon Neely, RHP, Florida
Neely, 21, had a career-best 5.13 ERA last season but played a huge role in the Gators reaching the College World Series quarterfinals. Beginning May 17, he dazzled with just six earned runs in 28.2 innings (1.91 ERA) to go along with 44 strikeouts.
Neely was primarily a closer throughout his college career, but has the potential to be a starter at the professional level.
