Top 5 Targets for Red Sox in upcoming draft

Traditionally over the past few years, the Red Sox have targeted extremely athletic college prospects, signability sliders or highschoolers in the first round of the draft, with names like Jason Place, Daniel Bard, Jacoby Ellsbury and Casey Kelly coming to mind. I expect this year to be no exception. With that said, here are three (or 7) players I think the Sox will consider at 28 in the draft:

1. Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS, GA -- I will preface this ranking with the fact that I think Tate has a less than 1% chance of being on the board here. He could go as high as #3 to the Padres, though word is they are moving toward Mike Minor or Aaron Crow. After that, there have been a lot of rumors about the A's looking at Tate, but since Tate is not a bonafide 5-tool stud like we've seen in past top HS selections (I should say, he's not exactly an Upton), and considering how much the A's poured into a now injured Michel Ynoa, I'm not so sure they take him. 

Anyhow, if he falls, he's clearly the choice at 28. He possesses all five tools, but there are questions about how much he will hit, considering just how raw he is, and how committed he will be to signing. There are also rumors that he's looking at a 6+M bonus to sign. 

2. Shelby Miller, P, Brownwood HS, TX -- Miller is largely regarded to be in the "second-tier" of a pretty impressive prep class, behind the group of Zach Wheeler, Tyler Matzek and Jacob Turner. He really is merely a power pitcher right now in the vein of Brett Marshall, taken last year by the Yankees, but he's got more upside than Marshall if he can develop an off-speed pitch. Roger Clemens has at least been floated as a comparison, if Miller can reach his upside. Bonus demands will push him down, but perhaps not to 28.

3. Tanner Scheppers, INDEPENDENT -- Scheppers was absolutely dominant at Fresno State, but there are huge questions about the durability of his shoulder. Still, there are few pitchers this close to the majors with Scheppers level of stuff and ability, and the Red Sox can afford to take a gamble on him if he falls this far. Of course, if he does fall, it will be because of injury concerns. I'll note that there is a similar chance with Kyle Gibson, MIZZOU, who was just diagnosed with a stress fracture in his arm. If he falls to 28, the Red Sox could take a shot on him, let him sit for the season and see what they have in 2010. 

I think one of these three/four are due for a major free-fall, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox were looking at one of them at 28. If that doesn't happen, I expect them to decide between Chad James, Everett Williams, Matt Purke and Jared Mitchell.