Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and amateur scouting director Jason McLeod met with the media Wednesday to talk about the upcoming draft, which starts June 7(with the first round being televised for the first time).

But don't look for the Red Sox on TV. They lost their first-round pick to the Dodgers for signing Julio Lugo. (Teams at the lower half of the draft order lose their first-round pick if they sign a Type-A free agent. The Red Sox were to pick 20th, but Lugo was a Type-A free agent).

Teams that lose free agents also get a supplemental-round pick. These are also called sandwich round picks, because they are extra draft choices squeezed into the first and second round, compensating teams that lost free agents.

The Red Sox have two supplemental round picks - 55th overall (for losing Alex Gonzalez) and 62nd (for losing Keith Foulke; even though he later retired).

While the Red Sox won't make a big first-round splash, Epstein quickly pointed out that in 2002 and 2004, the Red Sox did not have a first-round pick, and they did okay with Jon Lester ('02) and Dustin Pedroia ('04).

Epstein also said something interesting about what type of player the Red Sox go after. With the minor league system stabilized, Boston may take a gamble on a player with a big "upside" (i.e. great potential, but raw), rather than a so-called safer "can't miss" prospect.

Look for a pick out of high school. McLeod said most of the talent comes from the high schools this year. There are some fine college pitchers, but they should go early.

E-mail this entry to a friend