MLB Draft 2021: Boston Red Sox select Nathan Hickey with fifth-round pick



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The Red Sox have made five caps at this point in the draft, and with their fifth pick, they have their second-in-class from the University of Florida. After taking outfielder Jud Fabian earlier Monday in the first round, they took Nathan Hickey, a second receiver, in the fifth. Hickey hit 0.317 / 0.435 / 0.522 last year for the Gators. He entered the draft ranked 131st by Baseball America, 141st by MLB Pipeline and 84th by Perfect Game.

Hickey certainly has the stick to be a good prospect in the Red Sox organization, as shown in his line above in his sophomore year, which follows a shortened first year. The 21-year-old’s walkout total (42) also more than doubled his strikeout total (20). This good punching tool also comes with potentially higher raw horsepower, although BA notes in its scout report that it can be beaten by nose-ups in the area. Just ask Michael Chavis how deadly this can be in the modern age. Defensively, there are some important questions, and most think he will have to leave the position. The arm is there, but its reception and blocking needs to improve. Umps bots can help with the first part, but the blocking will need to be fine-tuned anyway. Hickey strengthens a capture group in the Red Sox farming system that can use more depth.

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