Trey

Ball

The Red Sox were typically linked to Austin Meadows and Clint Frazier in this spot, and Meadows was out there for them. Instead, they went with a 6-foot-6 left-hander with big-time upside. Ball was also viewed as a first-round prospect as an outfielder, but the Red Sox drafted him for his talent on the mound. Ball throws in the low-90s now and could add velocity. He’s a high risk kind of talent, but as rarely as the Red Sox get to pick up here -- they hadn’t drafted in the top 10 since 1993 -- it’s hard to blame them for shooting for the moon.

Ball, the No. 7 overall pick in this Monday’s First-Year Player Draft, took his physical Monday and the signing is expected to be made official Wednesday. The 18-year-old southpaw is expected to sign for less than the $3.246 million recommended slot value for the pick.

Ball, who was selected No. 7 overall in this month’s First-Year Player Draft, was in Boston on Monday to take his physical. No word yet on the exact amount of his bonus, but he’s expected to sign for less than the $3.246 million recommended slot value.

Ball did allow seven hits and three walks, but he was able to limit the damage to just one run over those five innings. The seventh pick of the 2013 draft, Ball has had more ups than downs in his time in the Red Sox system, and his 5.60 ERA this year helps illustrate that. Having said that, he’s a 22-year-old left-hander with a couple of above-average pitches, so don’t expect anyone to give up on him for some time. He’s an intriguing lottery ticket in (very) deep fantasy leagues.

The nine punch-outs marked a new career-high for Ball. The left-hander has won three of his last four starts with a 1.62 ERA over that stretch. Ball posted a disappointing 4.68 ERA in 22 starts last year but has lowered that to 3.99 in 11 starts this season. The 20-year-old’s command can still be a problem. He’s tied for sixth in the Carolina League with 25 free passes this year.

The seven hits allowed by Ball included two home runs and a double, and opposing batters are hitting .351/.419/.542 against the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft. Ball was aggressively pushed to the Low-A South Atlantic League, while many prep pitchers are held back in spring training then sent to Rookie-level baseball. His struggles are troubling, but he has a long way to go and the Red Sox will be singularly patient with Ball’s development.

He struck out four batters and walked one in the outing. Ball’s full-season debut at Greenville has been rough so far, as the 2013 No. 7 overall pick has pitched to a 7.27 ERA, .370 BAA and 29-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 43 1/3 innings over 11 starts. The 20-year-old southpaw has now given up at least three earned runs in seven of his last 10 starts.

Ball has had a brutal season after an aggressive assignment to the Low-A South Atlantic League, as opposing batters have hit .317/.376/.481 against him, but he has pitched much better as of late. Over his last four starts, he has held opposing batters to a .171/.247/.257 line with a 7.6 K/9. The 6'6" lefty has front of the rotation upside, but was considered one of the most raw pitchers in the draft. His last few starts have been a great step in the right direction, and he should open 2015 with High-A Salem.

The southpaw also walked two batters in the outing. Ball, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2013 draft, struggled mightily at Greenville to begin his full-season debut, registering a 7.27 ERA, .985 opponents’ OPS and 29-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 43 1/3 innings over his first 11 starts. However, the 20-year-old has fared much better in his last two outings, with a 0.90 ERA and 11-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10 innings.

The No. 7 pick in the 2013 draft, Ball allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk with two strikeouts in five innings. The 19-year-old is making the jump to South Atlantic League after pitching in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League last summer in his pro debut. Ball, a 6-foot-6 left-hander, has huge, front-of-the-rotation upside, but he’s incredibly raw and will likely require several full seasons to develop in the minor leagues.