Red Sox select 25 players on final day of 2012 First-Year Player Draft

The Boston Red Sox today concluded their participation in Major League Baseball's 2012 First-Year Player Draft with 25 additional selections in rounds 16-40. Red Sox Director of Amateur Scouting Amiel Sawdaye made the announcement.

Over the three days of the draft, Boston selected 23 pitchers (20 right-handers, 3 left-handers), eight infielders, eight outfielders and three catchers. Of the 42 players drafted, 15 are from high school and 27 from college.

Today's picks included first baseman Jake Davies, taken in the 21st round out of Georgia Tech. Davies' older brother Kyle pitched in the Majors with the Braves (2005-07) and Royals (2007-11). A left-handed batter, Jake hit .326 (78-for-239) and tallied team-bests with 14 home runs and 73 RBI in 63 games with the Yellow Jackets this year, and also made 14 pitching appearances (5 starts). Boston also selected catcher Miguel Rodriguez in the 36th round out of UNC Charlotte, the son of Red Sox Minor League Hitting Coordinator Victor Rodriguez and brother of club scout Victor Jr. Miguel made 20 starts behind the plate for Charlotte this year and caught 10 of 22 attempted base stealers.

The Red Sox also selected two players today with New England ties. The club took right-handed pitcher Pat Delano in the 35th round out of Braintree High School. Delano was MVP of the Bay State Conference's Carey division this year after recording 4 wins with a 1.21 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 57.0 innings. With their 40th and final pick, Boston chose Amherst College senior outfielder Kevin Heller. The Brooklyn, NY native was named to the NESCAC All-Conference First Team in 2012 and posted a .358 career average (172-for-480) with 37 doubles, 18 homers and 126 RBI in 127 games in 4 years at Amherst.