Much was made of the fact that the Boston Red Sox had a top-10 draft pick for the first time in 20 years this week—finishing last will do that for you—but it’s not always the top selections that pan out. For every home run pick like Jim Rice, Nomar Garciaparra and Dustin Pedroia in the first round, the Sox have also struck out with the likes of Jason Place (2006) and Steve Ellsworth (1981).
Even more intriguing, however, are those later-rounders who almost slip through the cracks and wind up playing far above expectations. As Red Sox fans speculate the future of this year’s top pick, lefty pitcher Trey Ball, take a look at some Boston post-fourth-rounders who later starred for the team.