On the surface, it appears that Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story is having a productive season in his fourth year with the franchise. He currently leads the team in RBIs (41), in addition to being tied with third baseman Alex Bregman for second in home runs (11).
But that's as far as Story's contributions have come. He also boasts a .232 batting average, which ranks third amongst the Red Sox's four qualified hitters, as well as a .637 OPS that puts him 148th amongst MLB's 160 qualified hitters.
Add in the fact that Story still has two-plus years remaining on a six-year, $140 million deal he signed with the Red Sox in 2022, and there's reason to believe why the club, which has increasingly targeted young players in recent years, might consider evaluating middle infielders ahead of the 2025 MLB Draft.
The Red Sox possess the No. 16 overall pick in this year's edition of the draft, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter predicts they will use it to select Steele Hall, a shortstop who most recently attended Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama.
"Originally part of the 2026 draft class, Hall reclassified in November, then added considerable strength to his frame while making major strides at the plate and in the field this spring to send his draft stock soaring," Reuter wrote. "His top-of-the-scale speed remains his best present tool, and he stands out more for his quick-twitch athleticism than his overall polish, so some patience will be required for him to develop. However, he does not turn 18 years old until after draft day, making it easier to bank on further projection."
Hall, also a University of Tennessee baseball commitment, is an intriguing prospect who has the potential to be a contributor to the Red Sox's future success if selected. According to a scouting report from MLB Pipeline, some areas of his game (i.e., power and overall hitting) will need to be refined in the minor leagues, but he already has an above-average arm and fielding ability.
Choosing Hall would continue a common trend in the Red Sox's recent MLB Draft history. The organization has selected a high-school player in four of the last six drafts in which it has possessed a first-round pick.
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