The Red Sox just made their second pick in the MLB Draft, grabbing Owen Hull, an outfielder out of North Carolina, with the 67th overall selection. This pick followed their first-round shocker with Jake Scheffner, an infielder nobody saw going as low as 20th. With Hull, Boston went conventional, picking a guy ranked 67th by MLB Pipeline, 60th by Baseball America, and 62nd by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. This wasn't an over-slot gamble, it was reportedly Craig Breslow getting exactly who he wanted.
What the Scouts Are Saying About Hull's Bat
Hull is a left-handed hitting outfielder, and the scouts know he can control the strike zone. This dude consistently hits the ball hard, which is huge. He cranked out 103 hits, a number that was actually second-best in all of Division 1 baseball. That's serious contact right there. And yeah, for those already worried about roster logjams, remember: you never, ever draft for big league need in baseball. It's all about future potential.The Funky Swing and Those Eye-Popping Power Numbers
Here's where it gets interesting, and honestly, a little puzzling. Despite being a big dude, 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, with good exit velocity, his home run numbers were a bit disappointing. He only put nine balls over the fence! Nine! That's a low number for a guy his size who hits the ball hard. Some scouts are reportedly raising their eyebrows at a "funky swing" that might be the culprit, leading to a "robust groundball rate." It's a real head-scratcher when you see the size and the hard contact, but the dingers just aren't there yet. So, what's next for Owen Hull? The Red Sox clearly see something in that swing, even if it's a bit unconventional right now. All eyes will be on how he develops, especially whether he can translate that hard contact and size into more home runs. That's the challenge ahead for the North Carolina outfielder.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.