BOSTON -- On Day 2 of the 2019 MLB Draft, a clear trend emerged for the Red Sox as they took eight college players with their eight picks on Tuesday. Given that the farm system is currently strongest at the lower levels, it isn’t surprising that Boston is targeting players who could have a quicker path to the Major Leagues. Five of the eight selections are pitchers.

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Here is a closer look at a busy Tuesday.

Round 3, RHP Ryan Zeferjahn, Kansas, 21 years old

Zeferjahn likely would have been selected in the first few rounds three years ago when he was part of a deep class of high school pitching studs from Kansas, but instead he chose to become a Jayhawk. The righty emerged into the Friday starter this season, going 5-2 with a 3.97 ERA. In 88 1/3 innings, Zeferjahn allowed 60 hits and 44 walks while striking out 107 and holding opponents to a .193 average. Kansas fans are still buzzing over his 14-strikeout performance this season against Oklahoma State.

During his college career, Zeferjahn was the definition of a student athlete.

“Ryan’s one of the greatest kids walking the planet. He’s a 3.5 student, an All-American,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said. “He’s got tremendous upside. He’s just scratched the surface of how good he’s going to be.”

Throwing from a three-quarters arm slot, Zeferjahn has high upside, but he needs to become more consistent to reach his ceiling. Ranked No. 84 among the Top 200 Draft prospects by MLB Pipeline, Zeferjahn’s fastball generally sits in the low to mid 90s, but he has reached 98. There’s the feeling that Zeferjahn could be electric as a reliever, but the Red Sox are likely to give him the chance to first show what he can do as a starter. 

“He’s made remarkable progress in the three years he’s been with us as far as improving his mechanics, his command and his offspeed pitches,” Price said. “He’s still a work in progress in that I don’t think he’s even touched the surface of what his potential is, but he’s made really good progress with his breaking ball and his changeup.

“He was significantly more efficient this year than he was his sophomore year, and like I told several scouting directors that called me, he could easily be a first-round Draft pick from what he’ll look like three years from now.”

Round 4, RHP Noah Song, Naval Academy, 22 years old

Based on his talent alone, Song likely would have been gone before the fourth round. But he has a two-year service commitment following his senior year at Navy, and the Red Sox felt his talent was too much to pass up. Backed by a 6-foot-4 frame, Song consistently throws his fastball at 96 mph and induces swings and misses with his slider. His curve is also emerging into a weapon.

One of four finalists for the coveted Golden Spikes Award, Song displayed improvement this season with his ability to throw strikes.

“He’s built like a starter,” Navy coach Paul Kostacopoulos said. “He has starter stuff because he does have three pitches. We get caught up in velocity all the time now because that’s what we do. His slider is really good. he’s got a pretty good changeup and he’s actually got a curveball that he doesn’t throw much because he doesn’t really have to. He’s a guy that potentially has four pitches.”

Round 5, C Jaxx Groshans, Kansas, 20 years old

Two rounds after they took Zeferjahn, the Red Sox went back to the Kansas pipeline for his batterymate in Groshans, who is an offensive-minded catcher. But Groshans also worked hard on his defense to get to the point he could be a fifth rounder.

“He can really hit and he hits velo,” Price said. “I think he’s an exciting offensive player because he has the ability to hit the ball to all fields and he has pop. There’s a lot of guys who can hit but they can’t hit velo. He hits velo. He’s the type of guy who should do well when he gets into pro ball.”

Round 6, LHP Chris Murphy, University of San Diego, 20 years old

On the day before his 21st birthday, Murphy realized a dream when he was drafted by the Red Sox. Though not imposing size-wise at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Murphy had 87 strikeouts and 44 walks in 64 innings this season. He needs to improve his control to be an effective starter in the Major Leagues. Murphy could also be an intriguing bullpen option.

Round 7, RHP Brock Bell, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, 21 years old

Good bloodlines here. Bell is the son of former Major Leaguer Jay Bell, who played in 2,063 games. While Jay Bell was an infielder, Brock plans on making his living on the mound. He certainly made an impression on SCF coach Tim Hill II, particularly in the way he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery two years ago.

“He worked really hard during his rehab process and the key to coming back from that surgery is how your rehab goes,” Hill said. “He was pretty dedicated to that and we didn’t bring him back 12 months out, it was 14 months back. He gained 20 pounds since his freshman year, so he’s a good-sized kid. Just a great kid.”

And the stuff is pretty impressive also.

“I think scouts had him 94-96 with a pretty good breaking ball and a good changeup, so he’s got three pitches,” Hill said.

Round 8, CF Wil Dalton, Florida, 21 years old

The junior college transfer made a smooth transition to the highly-competitive SEC, belting 27 homers over two seasons as a Gator. Dalton hasn’t shown the ability to hit for average, but he’s a solid run producer with raw power. Dalton played right field in 2019. The Red Sox haven’t been shy about drafting Gators in recent years. Dalton will join an organization that includes Florida alums Brian Johnson, Austin Maddox, Bobby Poyner and Josh Tobias.

Round 9, RHP Cody Scroggins, Arkansas, 22 years old

Scroggins was recruited as a shortstop, but he’s a full-time pitcher now. He had Tommy John surgery two years ago, but his elbow is completely healthy now. Scroggins mainly sits at 90-93, but he can ramp it up to 96. Keep an eye on his splitter, which could become a bigger weapon for him in the coming years.

Round 10, OF Stephen Scott, Vanderbilt, 22 years old
A power bat from the left side, Scott was a catcher in the past. It will be intriguing to see if the Red Sox have him revisit that position, where offense is always at a premium. In his player page on the Vanderbilt website, Scott proudly proclaims the Red Sox as his favorite team. Scott is known for his work ethic and positive attitude. In 62 at-bats this season, he has a .335 average with 11 homers, 53 RBIs and a 1.035 OPS.

The Draft concludes on Wednesday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 on MLB.com beginning at noon ET.