Red Sox select Conrad Cason with eighth-round pick
The Sox go with one of the more exciting players in the draft in the eighth round, a two-way prep player who was Georgia's Gatorade high school player of the year. He bats and throws right-handed and stands at 6-foot-2, weighing 190 pounds.
During his senior campaign, Cason went 7-1 on the mound with a 0.48 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings. Opponents hit just .085 against him. At the plate, he hit .364 with three home runs, 28 RBI, 25 walks, and 16 stolen bases.
According to MLB Pipeline, Cason sits 93-95 MPH with his fastball and can touch 98. They also comment that he has the ability to rise his fastball as well as sink it down in the zone. He has a good low-80s changeup with tumbling action, as well as a tight slider. He has struggled with consistency in his delivery, leading to some wildness, but he threw more strikes this past spring. MLB Pipeline says his future his brighter on the mound, but he is also a strong-armed shortstop with good power from the right side as well as good speed.
Cason is very athletic, as he was a four-sport star in high school. He is currently committed to play baseball at Mississippi State. He is also one of the youngest players in the draft, as he turned 17 years old three months ago.
The suggested signing bonus for this pick is $219,900.
Photo Credit: Conrad Cason by Perfect Game