Boston Red Sox

Kiley McDaniel has Boston selecting Bo Lowrance in his second-straight mock draft.

The Boston Red Sox are in the middle of a losing season, but July’s MLB Draft could be a respite for fans looking for an escape from on-field problems.

The Red Sox are being connected to one player in particular by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel through each of his first two 2026 MLB mock drafts.

Third baseman Bo Lowrance, 18, out of South Carolina, is who McDaniel has predicted Boston will select in his mocks this month.

Lowrance, who attended Christ Church Episcopal High School, stands at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, and is a projected first-round selection. McDaniel has the Red Sox taking Lowrance at No. 20 on July 11, the first day of the draft.

“This is Lowrance’s most rumored and most likely landing spot,” McDaniel wrote.

McDaniel has the San Diego Padres taking Bishop Feehan flamethrower Brody Bumila with the next pick at 21st overall.

Lowrance bats left-handed and is committed to playing baseball at the University of Virginia.

MLB.com lauded Lowrance’s hitting ability in its scouting report of the player.

“Lowrance has a smooth left-handed stroke and a track record of delivering against quality competition on the showcase circuit. He doesn’t try to do too much at the plate, making consistent contact to all fields despite naturally long levers with his 6-foot-5 frame.

“While he has a projectable build, he doesn’t have explosive bat speed and doesn’t lift and pull many pitches at this point, so he’ll need to add strength and make some adjustments to get to 20-homer power.”

MLB.com also wrote Lowrance could switch to first base, as there are questions about him continuing to play third.

McDaniel said “more than a few scouts” have drawn comparisons between Lowrance and Freddie Freeman. Freeman, a three-time World Series champion and nine-time All-Star, has been one of the most consistent hitters in MLB since he debuted in 2010. He routinely owns a high batting average and has proven to be clutch in the postseason.

Despite all of the attention Lowrance has received this year, he said he simply feels lucky to be in a position to be drafted in the first round.

“It’s a pretty special situation to be in right now as a baseball player,” Lowrance told South Carolina’s “High School Sports Report.” “This time a year ago I did not think I would be in this position. I am humbled to be in consideration to be selected in the first round of the baseball draft. It would be a dream come true for sure.”

Lowrance’s high school coach, Brian Simpson, spoke highly of the top prospect.

“He shows up every day, he’s engaged, and he practices the right way,” Simpson said (via Christ Church Episcopal’s website). “He doesn’t separate himself as a better player. He’s humble.”