Should the Chicago White Sox Draft a Bat at No. 8?
Mar 5, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; A general view of baseballs on the field at Roger Dean Stadium prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
OF Andrew Benintendi:
Here’s another player I think the White Sox should strongly consider. The Arkansas outfielder would be closer to the big leagues than Tucker and things might line up where he could take over left field at the conclusion of Melky Cabrera’s current deal.
Benintendi has less power potential than Tucker but still sports hit, run, and field tools that project to grade out above average. His MLB comp is Jon Jay with more pop, per MLB.com.
MLB.com’s Paul Casella dropped this line regarding Benintendi:
"“Benintendi has plus speed, which should allow him to be a basestealing threat and stick in center field.”"
Honestly, that sounds like the type of player the White Sox desperately need; an athletic outfielder who has a some power. As a college aged player, Benintendi could still fit into the current core if he panned out. He’d be a nice piece near the top of the line up on the South Side.
Unfortunately, the White Sox won’t find help at catcher with the 8th pick, but SS Alex Bregman could be a candidate to shift to third if he winds up going to Chicago.
So should the White Sox draft a bat at number eight?
The answer is yes, because that could be their ticket to developing their first homegrown all-star on the position side in quite some time. Wouldn’t that be nice, seeing U.S. Cellular field littered with “Tucker” or “Bregman” jerseys. Fulmer would be great, but if he’s gone by the 8th pick, going with a player who plays behind the bump might be the right idea for the White Sox.
Next: Chris Sale pitching like an All-Star again