The Red Sox forfeited their 2001 first-round pick to sign free agent Manny Ramirez, a move they didn't regret. They also felt like they got the equivalent of a first-rounder in An, whom they signed out of a Korean college for $750,000. Despite his relative inexperience and his inability to speak English, he went straight to high Class A and didn't permit more than one earned run in any of his first five outings. His fastball ranges anywhere from 83- 92 mph at this point and his breaking ball usually looks like a slurve. Boston believes that once its coaches can communicate better with An, they'll be able to make his velocity more consistent and tighten his breaker into a true curveball. They also will be able to give him more help with his rudimentary changeup. He does a good job of throwing strikes and he varies his arm angle. An has a stocky frame with thick legs, and his weight could become a concern. He probably would benefit from some more time in the Florida State League so he could catch his breath.
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