The MLB Draft League announced that the Boston Red Sox have purchased the contract of RHP Cam Padgett from the West Virginia Black Bears. He is the fourth Draft League professional player to have their contract purchased by a Major League club this season and 18th since the league implemented a professional, second-half format in 2022.
Padgett, 22, appeared in six games with the Black Bears, one being a start and one game coming in the first half. Striking out 13, the right-hander carried an ERA of 4.58 over 17 2/3 innings.
On four occasions he went at least three innings with his deepest being a five-inning start Wednesday, July 29 at home against the Aberdeen IronBirds. In the start, Padgett also struck out a season-best six batters and allowed one run as he earned the win. His second longest outing came five days before with 4 2/3 innings of relief with five strikeouts on the road against Mahoning Valley.
Padgett joins Carson Estridge (West Virginia), Drew Wyers (Trenton) and Finnegan Wall (Aberdeen) as the fourth player from this season to have his contract purchased and is the first to have his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox.
From Salisbury, N.C., Padgett is a University of North Carolina graduate who appeared in 70 games with 11 starts across four seasons with the Tar Heels. Striking out 90 over 120 innings, he had an ERA of 5.70.
Padgettβs purchased contract comes after a historic 2026 MLB Draft within the Draft League with 58 players selected. Additionally, the league tied the 2024 and 2025 seasons with 36 draft picks who played in the same summer as their selection. In the leagueβs sixth season, the MLB Draft League has produced 291 MLB Draft picks and more than 200 players have signed as undrafted free agents.
For more information about the MLB Draft League, visit mlbdraftleague.com or follow @mlbdraftleague and @draftleaguedata on Twitter, and @mlbdraftleague on Instagram.
