01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, June 28, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- While negotiations continue to crawl along with St. John's right-handed pitcher Craig Hansen , it seems apparent that the Red Sox will come to terms with their other first-round selection from this month's draft, Oregon State outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, before the week is out.

Ellsbury, whose team was eliminated from the College World Series last week and was ineligible to officially negotiate until his college career ended, was chosen 23rd by the Sox. Hansen was taken five selections later at No. 28.

Some scouts and Red Sox officials have favorably compared Ellsbury to current Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon , but a veteran scout from another organization who saw Ellbury play extensively said such comparisons were "overstated." Noting that Ellsbury lacks Damon's occasional power, he likened Ellsbury's slashing hitting style more to that of Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki, while emphasizing that in no way did Ellsbury possess Ichiro's arm or speed.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Ellsbury will probably earn a signing bonus somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.5 million. When he signs, it's expected that Ellsbury will report to Single-A Lowell in the New York-Penn League.

Ramirez honored

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Manny Ramirez was chosen as the American League Player of the Week yesterday.

In six games last week, Ramirez hit .407 (11-for-27) with five homers and 15 RBI and 1.000 slugging percentage. Ramirez homered in each of the three games in Philadelphia over the weekend, capped by his grand slam Sunday.

This was the second such honor for Ramirez this season (he was also selected for the week ending April 25) and the 13th of his career.

Checking the votes

DH David Ortiz continues to be the biggest vote-getter in fan balloting for the July 12 All-Star Game.

Ortiz has garnered 2,358,552 votes, tops among all American League players. Two other Sox players are in line to become starters -- catcher Jason Varitek leads Jorge Posada by more than a half million votes and outfielder Ramirez leads all outfielders. Damon is fourth in the outfield category.

Terry Francona, who will manage the A.L. team, strongly hinted that he would like to select Mike Timlin , who has never before made an All-Star team in his 15 seasons. Entering last night's game, Timin was 2-1 with a 1.21 E.R.A. in 35 games.

He also could name Matt Clement (9-1, 3.33) as a starting pitcher, though others -- including Chicago's Jon Garland and Texas' Kenny Rogers -- are deserving choices.

"Do I feel loyalty to our guys? Hell, yeah," said Francona. "I don't remember Joe Torre ever apologizing in that period (when the New York Yankees manager liberally selected his own players when he managed the team)."

Francona will have more impact on selection of pitchers, since he can name four pitchers and one position players in addition to the players and pitchers selected by fans and players.

Around the bases

Portland Sea Dogs shortstop Hanley Ramirez was on hand for yesterday's game, visiting with players in the clubhouse before the game. Assessing his season at Double A, Ramirez said: "Like I said in spring training, I'm trying to be more consistent this year." Ramirez added that he's totally recovered from the lower back strain, which sent him to the disabled list earlier this month. . . . Patriots director of player personnel Scott Pioli watched batting practice from the field, the guest of his friend Mark Shapiro, general manager of the Cleveland Indians. . . . David Wells, who slightly aggravated his right foot while covering first base on a play Sunday in Philadelphia, will make his next start, slated for Saturday against Toronto. . . . Ortiz saw his hitting stopped at 10 games. . . . Damon extended his hitting streak to 14 games and became the first A.L. player to reach 100 hits this season. . . . The Sox had three steals in a game (Damon, Edgar Renteria, Mark Bellhorn ) for the first time since July 11, 2004.