Milton’s Gavin Kilen drafted by Boston Red Sox in 13th round of MLB Draft

MADISON, Wis. — A day after two Madison-area baseball prospects were picked in the MLB Draft, another is joining them, as Milton High School star Gavin Kilen was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 13th round Tuesday.

Kilen, who helped Milton win its first-ever Division 1 WIAA baseball title this year, was ranked 149th on Baseball America’s list of the Top 500 draft-eligible prospects this year, but slid to Boston’s pick at #399 overall due to his college commitment to Louisville.

Teams in the MLB draft typically pass on high school players who have shown a strong willingness to play college baseball or ask for signing bonuses high above the recommended value of the pick set by the league, but big-spending teams like Boston have shown a willingness to spend “over-slot” on high school players who slid to later rounds.

MLB Pipeline’s scouting report called Kilen one of the best high school contact hitters in this year’s draft class, noting he did not strike out a single time while playing in last years Area Code Games.

If Kilen chooses not to sign with the Red Sox, he would be draft eligible again in three years. He has until August 1 to decide whether to accept an offer to play in the Red Sox organization or go to college at Louisville.

Kilen’s selection comes 10 rounds after Madison West alum Drake Baldwin and Middleton alum Alan Roden were picked by the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively, in the third round, and just a couple rounds after the Oakland Athletics drafted Columbus High School pitcher Christian Oppor.

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