FanHouse CaseyKelly

ST. LOUIS – Casey Kelly pitched an inning for the U.S. team in Sunday's Futures Game, an All-Star showcase for baseball's top prospects.

And, just like that, he became a shortstop.

Kelly's unique arrangement with the Red Sox called for him to spend the first half of the minor-league season as a pitcher and then move to shortstop. Eventually, he will be one or the other, and there seems to be a slight difference of opinion between team and player.

"The determining factor is just going to be what I feel most comfortable with and whatever's going to get me to the big leagues the fastest," said Kelly, 19. "That's the main goal, is to get to the big leagues as quick and fast as possible, whatever position that might be.

In case you weren't able to watch today's Major League Baseball draft or follow along with me and Andrew Johnson at our live blog of the festivities, here's a roundup of the guys who went in the first round to the teams of the American League East.

Tampa Bay Rays (1) Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin (GA) H.S.: As expected, the Rays made Beckham the first overall selection of the draft. He was the best overall player on the board and the fact that it may take some time before he's ready for the big leagues shouldn't bother a Tampa team that's well stocked for the foreseeable future. Thinking long term and taking players like Beckham in the draft is an awfully good way for the Rays to remain that way.

Baltimore Orioles (4) Brian Matusz, LHP, Univ. of San Diego: The first pitcher selected could be a fast climber in the Oriole system. A tall lefty, Matusz (shown pitching for Team USA) isn't a power pitcher but has four above-average pitches and will need to be in the high minors before the Orioles know if he projects to the front, middle or back of the rotation. The key to that will be how well he learns to spot his fastball to set up his highly regarded breaking stuff.