Drafted in the 12th round (365th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2004 (signed for $1,575,000).
View Draft Report
LHP Mike Rozier, a top quarterback recruit, has shown tools worthy of being drafted in the first 10 rounds. Rozier (no relation to the former Heisman Trophy winner) has signed as a quarterback with North Carolina. Rozier has athletic ability, a powerful 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame and an 87-91 mph fastball that he commands fairly well. Scouts want to see more development of his secondary pitches, though, before taking on his football scholarship and his advisor, agent Scott Boras.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The Red Sox forfeited their first-round pick in the 2004 draft by signing free agent Keith Foulke, but they gave first-round money to Rozier after taking him in the 12th round. Rozier's $1.575 million bonus is a record for a player taken after the third round (not counting draft-and-follows). Most teams viewed him as a third- to fifth-round talent, and he dropped as far as he did because of signability. He was a three-sport star in high school and had a football scholarship to play quarterback at North Carolina. He looked sharp in instructional league after signing, reminding Boston special assistant Bill Lajoie of Mark Mulder. When Rozier took the mound in his 2005 pro debut, he wasn't the same pitcher, however. His fastball, which sat at 88-92 mph and topped out at 95 in 2004, rarely rose above the high 80s. His curveball, which had been sharp, became sloppy and loopy. He didn't look as athletic and threw with more effort to his delivery. Rozier wasn't in shape to deal with the rigors of pro ball. He has to work out more diligently and learn to eat better. He's still just 19, and he'll have to mature both emotionally and physically. The Red Sox give Rozier credit for competing with mediocre stuff, especially considering he was a teenager in a full-season league. He did improve his changeup, which he didn't need in high school but was his best pitch at the end of the year. He's still young and projectable, and Boston hopes he can apply the lessons he learned the hard way when he repeats low Class A in 2006.
Since Theo Epstein became general manager in November 2002, the Red Sox have almost exclusively targeted college players in the draft. Though they have spent 30 of their 32 picks in the first 15 rounds on collegians, that didn't stop them from making a record investment in Rozier, a high school lefty. A consensus third-round talent whom Boston viewed as the equivalent of a first-rounder--a luxury it didn't have in the 2004 draft after giving up its choice to sign Keith Foulke--Rozier dropped to the 12th round last June because of signability questions. A three-sport star in high school, Rozier's football prowess (he had a scholarship to play quarterback at North Carolina) and agent (Scott Boras) scared off clubs. The Red Sox signed him for $1.575 million, the third-highest bonus in club history and a baseball record for a player taken after the third round. Rozier is a physical, projectable lefty who reminds Boston of Jon Lester, the top southpaw in the system. He has similar size, athleticism and projection, and he has a plus fastball. He pitched at 88-92 mph and topped out at 94 during the spring, then hit 95 in instructional league, where he reminded special assistant Bill Lajoie of Mark Mulder. Rozier's curveball may be better than Lester's, though his changeup has a ways to go. He could take off quickly now that he's committing full-time to baseball, but might begin the season in extended spring training before making his pro debut in June.
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone