Red Sox draft Daniel Bard's brother

Luke Bard, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound righty out of Charlotte (N.C.) Christian School, was just drafted by the Red Sox in the 16th round.

If his name sounds familiar, his brother hit 100 miles an hour on the Fenway Park radar gun last night.

Luke Bard has signed a National Letter of Intent to pitch at George Tech, his brother said, and has a fastball that tops out at 96 miles an hour. He was out golfing today rather than following the draft online.

Daniel declined to guess whether his brother would sign a pro contract or go to college. He did say, though, that he warned him that signing now would mean he'd end up in the Gulf Coast League and "play in front of 10 people for at least half a season." Then again, his signing bonus might make that worthwhile.

"It's exciting," the eldest Bard said. "It's a big confidence booster. Everyone wants to get drafted -- even if you don't plan on signing out of high school. I'm happy for him. He can always say, no matter what happens from here on out, 'I was picked by the Red Sox.' It's a good day for him."

Jared Bard, by the way, is still waiting to hear his name called; the middle of the three Bard brothers just finished off something of a rough junior year at the University of Richmond (18 earned runs in 18 innings pitched). Whether he's drafted or not, he'll pitch for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League this summer.