Ryan

Dent

It was thought the Red Sox might take any of the big names that dropped, but they passed on Matt Harvey. Hagadone, the 55th pick, may go the Jonathan Papelbon route, moving from the bullpen in college to the rotation in the minors. Dent, drafted 62nd, is a toolsy middle infielder who might end up at second base or in center field. He possesses terrific speed, and the Red Sox will hope he blossoms into a leadoff man.

Dent, a high school shortstop, was taken by the Sox 62nd overall in last month’s minor league draft. Dent, who can also play second base, is a solid contact hitter.

Dent hit just .154/.267/.299 in the New York-Penn League last season, but the Red Sox moved him up to full-season ball this year anyway and he’s hit .298/.397/.474 with five steals in 57 at-bats for Greenville. He’s playing mostly second base now, though he’s still seeing the occasional start at shortstop. Center field is another possibility for him.

The 19-year-old Dent is off to a 5-for-13 start. The Red Sox are developing him as a shortstop, but it’s more likely that he’ll end up at second base or maybe in center field.

Dent, a 2007 supplemental first-round pick of the Red Sox, has hung around in the minors but hasn’t ever delivered on his promise. The 25-year-old has a career .229/.309/.337 over eight minor league seasons, splitting last season between the Red Sox’ High-A and Double-A squads. He’s nothing more than a flyer for the Cubs.