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White Sox 2018 Draft Preview 2.0 – Pitching

By Roger Greathouse

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Players and fans stand during the National Anthem before the Opening Day home game between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 5, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Players and fans stand during the National Anthem before the Opening Day home game between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 5, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Even with a stacked farm system full of pitching prospects, would the Sox add to that depth with a top ranked pitcher with the number four pick?

Most experts and common sense seem to indicate the White Sox will be targeting a hitter with this year’s number four overall draft pick. However, if the right guy falls their way, they could look to add another potential ace to their already impressive young talent

So, what scenarios would have to happen to see the White Sox surprise everyone and take another pitcher? Well, if somehow the top hitters like Nick Madrigal, Jonathan India and Adam Bhom are all taken ahead of them, that means the top pitcher in this year’s draft is available.

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In that case, Auburn pitcher Casey Mize would be available. The Sox would jump at the chance to select him. Mize is the consensus number one overall pick, based on 98 percent of the mock drafts out there. He’s 6-feet tall, 220 pounds and has a heater in the mid to upper 90’s. But, he just had his worst outing of the spring recently. The Detroit Tigers, who aren’t saying anything, could bypass him and select one of the top hitters. If they do, maybe the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies start thinking something’s wrong with him as well. Then, he falls into the Sox lap at number four and goes on to become part of the most dominant rotation in baseball in the future.

In the unlikely scenario that that happens, is there another pitcher worthy of the number four pick? Well, there’s Brady Singer, the Florida right-hander who was the consensus number one projected pick this time last year. While he’s fallen just a hair, he’s still highly rated and is expected to go in the first five picks. He has a plus fastball and slider but is working on his changeup. Has a little bit of a weird and quick delivery. But, it worked out pretty well for Chris Sale.

Could they surprise even more and go the prep route with this being a deep draft for prep pitchers?

Carter Stewart RHP from Eau Gallie HS in Florida. The top prep arm in this years deep prep class. 6-6 and throws upper 90’s at just 18 years old. He has the potential to have three pitches be plus-plus and rank as high as 60 on the 20-80 scale. Definitely a stud, but, would the Sox be willing to pick a prep pitcher, who would take years to go through the system instead of a college bat that could be on the major league roster in a couple years? Doubtful, but if they feel strongly enough about Stewart, they just may surprise.

Next: Bad Baserunning Leads to Benching

If pitching is what the Sox think is best for them at number four this year, there is plenty available. It’s not the immediate need, but it could be the most prudent pick. With the draft now just a few weeks away, the projections and rumors start meaning something more.

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