Pitcher Returned From Rule 5 Draft Impresses For Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox got their first, or technically second, look at Shane Drohan when he took the mound in spring training on Saturday.

The Red Sox originally drafted Drohan out of Florida State in the fifth round of the COVID-shortened 2020 MLB Draft. He pitched three seasons in Boston’s system, headlined by an impressive six-start stretch to begin 2023 in Double-A Portland.

The Chicago White Sox liked the upside they saw in the lefty and selected him in that winter’s Rule 5 Draft. He didn’t catch on with the organization and the White Sox designated him for assignment last summer before he returned to the Red Sox.

Drohan pitched the final two innings of Boston’s Grapefruit League opener in Port Charlotte, Fla. against the Tampa Bay Rays. The lefty did not allow a hit over the two scoreless frames with three strikeouts to lock down a 6-4 win for the Red Sox.

Drohan previously reached Triple-A Worcester in his first stint with the Red Sox, so he’ll likely return to the minor league ranks for continued development this season.