Chicago White Sox Draft: 3 players for them to consider
It’s just about time for the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft and you can bet that the Chicago White Sox are doing what they can to prepare for this important event. There are many “good” players entering the draft this year but the White Sox need to go after “great players”. It’s common sense.
The Chicago White Sox needs to continue building through the draft in 2021.
Looking back at last year’s draft class, and the positions they drafted, the White Sox appeared to be looking to build an arsenal of pitchers. That means they might want to look at a few other positions this year. Catcher is one position that they could use some help with as the depth there is a little bit lacking.
Another position that they could use some help at is shortstop. Tim Anderson is a great player but he’s not going to be there forever. What if he gets hurt? The Sox need a better back up and need to start bringing him up through the ranks now.
The outfield position has been a sore point for the White Sox this year with so many injuries overtaking the three positions. The Sox would be wise to upgrade their outfielder depth and get some guys that might develop into stars. Getting someone to go along with Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez, in the future, would be golden.
After watching the MLB Combine and viewing as well as reading about some of the players that can be drafted this year, there are some that stand out and might be good fits for the Sox.
Trying to determine which players the Sox, or any team for that matter, is always difficult. However, we can always speculate and wonder who they will pick. Speculation is all part of the fun of predicting who will go where in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Let’s take a look at three prospects that the White Sox could and should be interested in heading into the 2021 MLB Draft this coming Sunday through Tuesday.
Ian Moller-C-Dubuque Wahlert H.S.
A catcher might be an intriguing option for the Chicago White Sox at the 2021 Draft.
As previously mentioned, the Chicago White Sox may need some depth at the catcher position in the future. Yes, they have Yasmani Grandal (on IR) and Zack Collins, as well as a few guys in the minor leagues but more is needed. A catcher who can stand tough against the punishment that a catcher takes would be good.
Ian Moller may be a little green as no one is really pro-ready in this draft but he has a lot of potentials to develop and become a top-tier catcher.
He hails from Dubuque, Iowa. Moller has a good basic skill with plenty of room to grow. In looking at the scouting report from MLB.com, their scouts say this about Moeller:
“Moller has the strength and bat speed to provide 20 homers on an annual basis. He’s at his best when he uses the entire field and lets his power come naturally, such as when he roped an opposite-field double at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in September. But there also are times when he gets power-conscious and his right-handed swing gets too uphill, leading to swing-and-miss issues.”
After watching some videos on Moller, it would appear that he has some growing to do but will come along well in college (Louisiana State University).
MLB’s site had, even more, to say about Moller:
“Athletic for a catcher, Moller has solid arm strength and can demonstrate similar receiving ability. He also can get inconsistent behind the plate, has struggled to stop basestealers this spring and there are evaluators who think he’s an average defender at best. He’s part of a Louisiana State recruiting class that also includes the other top catching prospect from the Midwest, Carter Jensen (Park Hill HS, Kansas City, Mo.). “
Let’s see if the White Sox take an interest in Moller and help boost their depth at the catcher position for the future.
Bubba Chandler-SS/RHP-North Oconee (GA)
If Bubba Chandler plays baseball over football, the Chicago White Sox should consider it.
Chandler is an interesting prospect who can play two positions (short stop and pitcher). While his arm is strong and has gotten better over the last couple of years, people are divided as to whether or not he should pitch or play in the infield.
In looking at MLB’s scouting report on Chandler, they talk about some of the strengths that he has:
“After working with an 88-93 mph fastball last summer, Chandler has made a leap to operating at 92-95 and touching 97 this spring. He possesses a quick arm and also has added power to his downer curveball, which now resides in the upper 70s, and his less-used slider, which gets up to 85 mph. He shows trust in his low-80s changeup as well.”
There is one thing that may cause teams, including the White Sox, to shy away from Chandler. Clemson University has offered him a scholarship to play quarterback. With that, Chandler has some decisions to make. There are some that feel that he would be a better baseball player than a football player.
Another question with Chandler is which position would he play. It would appear he’s a little bit better as a pitcher than a shortstop but anything is possible. The White Sox could use him at either position. With some development in the minor leagues, he has the capability to play both positions and shine. Perhaps the White Sox will take a chance on him and bolster their lineup for the future.
James Wood-OF-IMG Academy (OF)
James Wood is an outfield prospect for the Chicago White Sox to consider this year.
The White Sox have suffered quite a few injuries in the outfield this season. They are currently missing starters, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert. Adam Engel has spent some time on the injured list this season and may not be the complete answer for the future. White Sox fans have been exposed to a lot of grief when it comes to outfielders so drafting some players to develop would go a long way towards suppressing some of this grief.
Enter James Woods, an outfielder who has been basically “studying” baseball at the IMG Academy in Florida. He’s prepared himself to enter the upper levels of baseball and could be just the guy that the Sox are looking for.
When looking at what the MLB.com experts say, we can find out a little more about Wood.
“Wood entered the summer as a relatively under-the-radar athletic outfielder who had moved from his home in Maryland to attend IMG Academy to focus on baseball. The former two-sport standout (basketball) had as strong of a summer as just about any high schooler on the showcase circuit, putting him firmly on the radar as perhaps the Florida Draft prospect with the highest upside, though some struggles at the plate this spring hurt his stock a little.”
Wood is a very good athlete and is projected as one of the top outfielders entering the MLB Draft. He is planning on attending Mississippi State so he should be able to refine his skills in college and will likely even be ready when he’s through with school. When he is finally ready to go, he could be one of the better outfielders that the Sox have seen in a while should they pick him.
Wood does need to work on a few things, especially his presence at the plate and ability to hit the ball but college and/or the minor leagues will give him what he needs to do that. Drafting Wood would go a long way towards improving the overall athleticism of the Sox and give them options further down the road in the outfield.
Related Story. An update on Yasmani Grandal comes out from Instagram. light