Apr 29, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; A view of an official White Sox New Era on field cap in the dugout of the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The White Sox continued to add talented players to their roster on day twoo f the MLB Draft. Day two saw the organization add four pitchers and four hitters.
The Chicago White Sox continued their search for hitters on Day two of the MLB Draft. In total, the organization added four position players, all of whom have great bats. Nick Hostetler, director of amateur scouting, told reporters, including Scott Merkin, Tuesday the goal was to take as many power hitters as possible.
“What we did is go down the whole home run total and said let’s take them all. One of them is going to hit them.” Nick Hostetler, Director of Amateur Scouting
The first two picks of the draft definitely had an offensive focus. And so did picks three through 10. So let’s see who the White Sox have added to the team. You can check out a complete list of their picks at MLB.com.
This was a good direction for the White Sox. Offensively they have struggled and pitching is definitely in a good place. Because of that, it’s no surprise they spent six of their first 10 picks on hitters.
3rd Round, 87th Overall – Luis Gonzalez, CF, University of New Mexico
The White Sox certainly added a great player in Gonzalez. The junior was a standout for the Lobos both in the field and as a pitcher. It’s rare to see a guy become a two-way player in the majors. Gonzalez did it very well in college, but the White Sox have him pegged as a center fielder. And he should be a good one.
The 21-year-old was ranked 106th overall in the MLB.com pre-draft rankings. The left hander hit .361 and had 14 stolen bases. In his career, he was 35-of-36 in stolen bases. In 598 at bats for New Mexico, he drew 124 walks and only struck out 71 times.
Gonzalez also pitched for the Lobos, although he numbers weren’t as impressive. In 36 games, 22 of them being starts, he was 11-6 with a 6.12 ERA. That isn’t good enough to get it done in the majors but he should be an excellent center fielder.
“Luis is a five-tool-type center fielder. He’s going to stay in center field. He can really play out there. He can run.” Nick Hostetler, Director of Amateur Scouting
4th Round, 117th Overall – Lincoln Henzman, RHP, Louisville
Lincoln Henzman was Louisville’s closer. The 21-year-old right hander has 16 saves in 25 appearances for the Cardinals. And his team is headed to the College World Series. However, the White Sox have him listed as a pitcher. He was ranked 162nd overall.
According to MLB.com, his fastball stays between 90-95 mph. If he keeps it down in the zone, it’s virtually un-hittable. He also throws a really solid changeup, which can behave like a splitter and can be a plus pitch at times. Scouts feel he could move through the system faster as a reliever, but he had success as a starter in the Cape Cod League.
One concern is he already had Tommy John surgery when he was a junior in high school. Obviously he rebounded nicely and turned himself into a great reliever for Louisville. We’ll also have to see how his arm takes to an increased workload as a starter. He pitched 35 2/3 innings this season. Henzman should be a quality addition to the White Sox system, no matter where he ends up pitching.
“They know I can come out of the bullpen if they need me to, and they watched me this past summer in the Cape [Cod League] through seven or eight starts and I guess they liked what they saw. So I will give them what they want.” Lincoln Henzman, White Sox 4th Round Pick
Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks mascot performs before the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
5th Round, 147th Overall – Tyler Johnson, RHP, South Carolina
Tyler Johnson went from pitching only 7 2/3 innings as a freshman in 2013 to emerging as the closer of the South Carolina Gamecocks. Over the past two seasons the right hander had 19 saves to go with 99 strikeouts over 78 1/3 innings. Like Henzman, the White Sox announced Johnson as a starting pitcher. But that doesn’t mean much.
His fastball can reach 99 mph but it usually sits between 92-97. Some scouts feel he can handle pitching every fifth day but with his velocity, he can definitely handle late innings. His fastball doesn’t have much movement, but he has great command.
His second-best pitch is a slider that he can throw at around 85. However, it’s not always on. Johnson was ranked as the 97th best player in the draft. He does throw a changeup but doesn’t use it much as a reliever. However, if he wants to have a chance at the rotation, he needs to develop that third pitch.
“Johnson has big, big stuff. His stuff is better than Lincoln’s. Lincoln has a little bit more feel and pitchability, but Tyler has the mechanics that can start. He just needs to be stretched out. He had a long little layoff from an injury and came back guns ablazing.” Nick Hostetler, Director of Amateur Scouting
Kade McClure is the roommate of 4th round pick Lincoln Henzman. He has an imposing 6’7″ frame and has been a phenomenal starting pitcher for the Cardinals. He is 20-3 with 189 strikeouts and just 55 walks in 175 innings over the past two seasons.
The right hander is considered the second-best starting pitcher for Louisville. McClure actually grew up playing football with Bears’ quarterback Mitch Trubisky. McClure will be added to a talent-laden farm system that includes plenty of pitching depth. We’ll have to see how he develops. But his numbers at Louisville are eye opening. It’ll be interesting to see how he pitches in the College World Series.
“I like to control the running game and field my own position and do a lot of stuff that most people my size don’t do as well. I’m still very much so growing into my body.” Kade McClure, White Sox 6th Round Pick
Jun 21, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; TCU Horned Frogs pitcher Brian Howard (44) and catcher Evan Skoug (9) walk to the dugout before the start of the game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
7th Round, 207th Overall, Evan Skoug, C, Texas Christian University
The 7th round saw the White Sox take Evan Skoug, the talented catcher out of TCU. Skoug was the 48th ranked player by MLB.com and is a local kid out of Libertyville, Ill. This seems like a huge steal that the 48th ranked prospect falls to the 207th pick. But it worked out nicely for the White Sox.
The left hander hit 20 home runs and collected 67 RBIs for the Horned Frogs in 2017. The one thing that did hurt his draft stock is strikeouts. Skoug struck out 87 times in 242 at bats. However, that doesn’t seem to faze this organization.
His offense grades out better than his defense and scouts feel he may have to shift to the field. Possibly first base because he has limited athleticism. He also doesn’t have the best arm strength but he makes up for it with a quick release. A great work ethic and leadership skills make him a great addition to the organization.
“Guys have questioned his catch and throw. We do as well. We’re not telling you, ‘I’m 100 percent he stays behind the plate. But after talking with him and as aggressive as he was in the conversation with his belief in his ability, I’m not going to tell him he’s not going to.” Nick Hostetler, Director of Amateur Scouting
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians former player Jim Thome waves to the crowd before game seven of the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
8th Round, 237th Overall – Sam Abbott, 1B, Curtis High School
The eighth round saw more of the same for the White Sox. This time they went with Sam Abbott, a first baseman out of Curtis High School in Washington. This is probably the most interesting story of the White Sox draft. Abbott is actually a part of the U.S. Junior Polo National team.
How did he get noticed by this organization? Jim Thome saw the youngster playing and was impressed. So he told Hostetler he needed to check him out. And the rest is history. Abbott is definitely going to be a project. But if he turns out, then the gamble will be worth it.
The White Sox hope he can develop into a good power hitter. Again, there’s no guarantees. Abbott will have a long road and even then, there’s no guarantee he will ever develop into a quality player. But that’s what the draft is all about. At some point you are just taking a player and hoping it all works out.
“He’s going to be a two-year Rookie ball guy. He’s new to baseball, he wasn’t on the circuit. … This is one of those high risk, high rewards, where if this hits, it’s a story good enough for a movie.” Nick Hostetler, Director of Amateur Scouting
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Big Ten logo on field prior to a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
9th Round, 267th Overall – Craig Dedelow, OF, Indiana University
The White Sox went to the Big 10 for their next selection. With the 267th pick they selected Craig Dedelow, an outfielder from Indiana University. Dedelow was drafted in the 37th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.
The left hander hit 19 home runs for the Hoosiers in 2017. He fits nicely with the White Sox strategy of trying to draft the guys who hit the most home runs. Despite his 19 home runs, he only batted .254 and had a career high 51 RBIs.
On the plus side, he is capable of playing anywhere in the outfield. That type of depth will help this team out. Especially since there are a few holes in the outfield.
“Another big power kid. We had interest in him last year. The numbers money-wise didn’t fit. We are excited to get him.” Nick Hostetler, Director of Amateur Scouting
10th Round, 297th Overall – JB Olson, RHP, University of Oklahoma
JB Olson was a solid relief option for the Oklahoma Sooners. And hopefully the same will hold true for the White Sox. The right hander finished 5-1 and had eight saves. He also sported a very solid 1.99 ERA in 31 appearances this season.
In 2016, he went 1-1 with a 2.03 ERA in 29 appearances. One concern is the opponents batting average against him. In 2016, opponents hit .234 against him. However, this year it increased dramatically to .263. That is something he’ll need to work on to be successful at the major league level.
