The Red Sox intended to select Chris Balcom-Miller in the 2009 draft, but the Colorado Rockies beat them to the righthander, taking him in the sixth round out of West Valley Community College in Northern California.
“We were pretty disappointed not to get him,’’ said scouting director Amiel Sawdaye. “It seems like we were a round too late.’’
But the Sox did not give up. When they decided to trade Manny Delcarmen to the Rockies 10 months ago, it was Balcom-Miller they asked for in return.
“I was shocked that I got traded because I had only played about a year for the Rockies,’’ Balcom-Miller said. “But I was not surprised it was the Red Sox. I knew they had an interest in me. I thought they were going to draft me.’’
Now Balcom-Miller is on his way up. He was 3-1 with a 2.34 ERA for Single A Salem and earned a promotion to Double A Portland. In five Eastern League starts, he has a 3.80 ERA.
At 22, Balcom-Miller has been a full-time pitcher for only four years. He was primarily a position player in high school.
“Those kind of guys are interesting because they have less wear and tear on their arms and obviously some upside,’’ said Red Sox player development director Mike Hazen. “Chris is showing us a lot.’’
Balcom-Miller considers his changeup his best pitch, although the Sox think his fastball is a plus pitch, too. His slider is a work in progress.
“I didn’t throw my change a lot last season after I got traded, but I’ve thrown it more this season,’’ Balcom-Miller said. “It’s getting better. I haven’t been pitching that long, so I feel like I’m improving a lot.’’
The Sox basically left Balcom-Miller alone last summer, giving him a chance to acclimate to a new organization and adjust to their conditioning program. In spring training, their coaches made a few changes to his approach on the mound.
“It’s been great,’’ Balcom-Miller said. “They take good care of you in this organization. I’ve learned a lot.’’
Balcom-Miller went five innings against Trenton last night, allowing three earned runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
Starting over Zach Daeges was one of the organization’s top prospects in 2008, having hit .307 with an .866 OPS for Portland. The sixth-round draft pick out of Creighton in 2006 earned an invitation to major league spring training in 2009.
Daeges got in 14 games and hit .357. His future only looked brighter.
But he was derailed shortly thereafter. An ankle injury limited Daeges to nine games in 2009. Then shoulder surgery cost him the entire 2010 season, as he needed his labrum and posterior capsule repaired.