In an interesting turn of events, the Boston Red Sox extended a qualifying offer to pitcher Nick Pivetta after the 2024 season, which he ultimately declined. This decision rewarded the Red Sox with the No. 75 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, which they used to select infielder Henry Godbout from the University of Virginia.
Godbout marks the first position player chosen by Boston in this draft year, following their earlier selections of right-handed pitchers Kyson Witherspoon in the first round and Marcus Phillips during the compensation round, which was a result of the Quinn Priester trade. Henry Godbout was ranked No. 72 in MLB Pipeline’s draft prospect rankings, carrying a solid overall score of 50 out of 80. His standout feature is his impressive hitting ability, earning a score of 55 for his hit tool. During the 2025 season, he showcased his capabilities with a .309 batting average, .397 on-base percentage, and an .895 OPS, hitting 10 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, and driving in 37 runs across 50 games.
The decision to extend the qualifying offer to Pivetta was initially seen as a strategic move by Red Sox executive Craig Breslow, especially given Pivetta’s rising market value and high strikeout rate that attracted attention from various major league teams. After declining the offer, Pivetta signed with the San Diego Padres, where he is currently enjoying a standout season with a stellar 3.07 ERA and 144 strikeouts over 102.2 innings, contributing significantly to his new team’s success.
Godbout’s selection complements the Red Sox’s history of making astute picks in recent drafts, including previously selecting Kristian Campbell and Roman Anthony in their respective drafts. Overall, the Red Sox appear to be building a promising future with a mix of experienced players and new talent. This blend reflects a hopeful outlook for the team’s direction in the coming years.