Chicago White Sox: 3 potential draft picks to watch in CWS

Will Bednar, Mississippi State Bulldogs

Will Bednar would be a great addition to the Chicago White Sox right now.

Despite being a sophomore, Mississippi State’s Will Bednar has some overwhelming stuff. On Sunday, June 20, Bednar struck out 15 Texas Longhorns in six innings. That was the most for a College World Series in 25 years.

The 21-year old posted a 3.26 ERA in 80 innings this past season at Mississippi State. He held his opponents to a .229 average while striking out 128. He allowed only 21 walks showing tremendous control at a young age.

In referring to the 20-80 scale, his 60 graded fastball and slider are his best pitches. He also has a 55 graded curveball and a grade 50 changeup. His fastball maxes out at 97 but he usually sits around 93-95 with the heat. His slider sits around the mid-80s and an upper-70s curveball.

The younger brother of Pirates reliever David Bednar is projected to have mid-rotation stuff but is intelligent for his age. As we know, he likes to pound the strike zone and he gets results. He could benefit from some time with Ethan Katz.

Bednar, projected to have a low 3/high 4 in the rotation ceiling, has a chance to benefit from pitching out of the bullpen. Bednar attacks the strike zone and has above-average control. His fastball is not as overwhelming as Crochet’s big 96 mph sitting heater but Bednar has better raw control and command.

On Friday, the Mississippi St. Bulldogs will play the winner of tonight’s Virginia vs. Texas matchup. The six-inning gem Bednar threw was Sunday so he could enter as a reliever in a high leverage situation assuming he is not starting tomorrow. However, that is a possibility.