The Red Sox went for college pitching with their second and third picks -- one lefthanded, the other righthanded.

With the 31st pick, the Sox chose lefty Brian Johnson from the University of Florida. Johnson isn't overpowering, but has good command and projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter down the road. The feeling among scouts is that, thanks to his command and secondary pitches, he could move up the minor leagues very quickly.

Johnson is also a power-hitting first baseman, but the expectation is that the Red Sox view him as a pitcher.

Six picks later, the Sox went with righthander Pat Light from Monmouth University. Light has a big frame (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) and can throw in the mid-90s. He's been compared to Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann.

Light was undefeated in high school (20-0). This past year, he was 7-3 with a 2.81 ERA. He struck out 87 and walked just 12 in 86 innings.

Both picks were compensation for the Sox losing free agent closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Philadelphia Phillies last off-season.