Red Sox Sign All Four 2011 First-Round Draft Picks, Including UConn Pitcher Matt Barnes, High School Catcher Blake Swihart

by abournenesn

Aug 16, 2011

The Red Sox signed all four of their picks from the first round and compensation round of the First-Year Player Draft on the final day for teams to lock up their draft picks on Monday, the team announced.

The first round picks were University of Connecticut right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes and New Mexico V. Sue Cleveland High School catcher Blake Swihart. Compensation round selections Henry Owens, a left-hander out of Edison High School in California, and Jackie Bradley, an outfielder out of the University of South Carolina, Red Sox Director of Amateur Scouting Amiel Sawdaye announced.

Midnight on Monday was the deadline for teams to sign players chosen in the June amateur draft. Unsigned players would be allowed to enter the draft next year.

Barnes, taken 19th overall, was 11-5 with a 1.93 ERA and 117 strikeouts as a junior this season with the Huskies. He was a unanimous selection for Big East Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference in wins, strikeouts and ERA. The 6-foot-4, 203-pound Bethel, Conn., native also was named a Louisville Slugger and Baseball America all-American.

Swihart, chosen 26th overall, hit .602 with 41 RBIs and 17 doubles in 24 games this spring at V. Sue Cleveland. The 6-1, 175-pound switch-hitting receiver from Rio Rancho, N.M., was ranked No. 1 at his position by Baseball America.

Owens won Sunset League Pitcher of the Year honors for the second straight year. Bradley was voted Most Outstanding Player at the 2010 College World Series for the national champion Gamecocks.

The Red Sox also signed a number of picks from later rounds, such as right-handed pitcher Noe Ramirez, shortstop Mookie Betts, left-handed pitcher Cody Kukuk and right-handed pitcher Matt Spalding.

The Red Sox signed 29 picks from the 2011 draft, including 16 picks from the top 15 rounds.

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