The White Sox appeared to do well with their strategy during the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. The organization prioritized upside and focused on premium talent under the guidance of new Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Shirley.
Garrett Crochet burst onto the scene in a big way after being taken with the 11th overall pick in June. Second-round pick Jared Kelley was regarded as a top 20 draft prospect by the majority of publications.
This came after the franchise employed a dramatic philosophical shift in 2019 as well. The White Sox used second and third round selections on prep right-handers Matthew Thompson and Andrew Dalquist. They added six more prep players later in the draft.
This year, Chicago is picking 22nd overall and all options are probably on the table. The organization hasn’t taken a high school player in the first round since 2012 when they grabbed outfielder Courtney Hawkins out of Texas. The club has been more open-minded to prep players recently though. While they haven’t pulled the trigger in the first round, the bonus amounts allotted are close to what’s expected in the back third of round one. It appeared more likely that the team goes with their preferred college route instead and big media will likely project the club to do so until they actually change. Adding teenage prospects to the pipeline should be a priority and the franchise’s amateur scouts have been heavily linked to multiple options this spring.
The 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft will take place from July 11-13. The draft will be in Denver during All-Star weekend for the first time. After some speculation, it was determined that the draft order will in fact be based on the reverse order of the 2020 standings. The draft will be 20 rounds. Bonus pools are slated to stay the same and slot values won’t be increasing. The draft order is set.
The White Sox are also scheduled to choose at pick No. 57 in Round 2 and No. 94 in Round 3. Their entire bonus pool is $6,618,600. The club could spend up to $6.9 million if they use their full overage amount and the landscape makes sense to do so.
Here is my fourth attempt at a 2021 mock draft. Things are starting to wind down and most clubs could make their selections tomorrow if necessary. The first round and compensatory round will take place on Sunday 7/11 while rounds two through ten will occur on Monday July 12th and rounds 11-20 on Tuesday of All Star week.
1. Pittsburgh Pirates: Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake High School (CA)
The Pirates have a comp round selection as well and choose to save a bit of cash and go with who they believe is the best player in this draft class. Mayer is an 18-year-old shortstop that possesses a feel to hit, advanced approach and elite bat to ball skills. The California prep hits left-handed and will almost assuredly stay at shortstop. The 6’3″ 190 pounder has room to grow even further and plus power should arrive as well. Ben Cherington is unlikely to take one of the Vanderbilt pitchers at this point but Lawlar, Watson, House and Henry Davis could all be options.
2. Texas Rangers: Khalil Watson, SS, Wake Forest High School (NC)
Watson is a 5-foot-9, 180-pound North Carolina prep product who should stay at shortstop as a professional. He has solid or better tools across the board and was very effective on the showcase circuit last summer. Watson has a great left-handed swing with premium bat speed. He displays an aggressive power over hit approach however, but has plus speed to go with it. Watson just had a tremendous spring. Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar and the Vandy starters should be options for the Rangers as well.
3. Detroit Tigers: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall High School (OK)
Prep righties are a risky demographic, but Jobe is one of the best players in the draft class and he should come off the board in this range. The two-way prospect has more upside on the mound and he’s a very advanced high school arm. The Oklahoma product has a quick arm, repeats his delivery and displays premium athleticism. Elite spin on the fastball and slider is present and there’s makings of a plus change as well. Cost savings will be a feature of this draft and Jobe likely takes a slight haircut here.
4. Boston Red Sox: Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt
Leiter honored his commitment to Vanderbilt instead of going pro in 2018 and it’ll pay off for him with a bigger bonus in the end. This redshirt sophomore doesn’t have a huge track record, but possesses obvious physical bloodlines. The 6-foot righty comes with that stigma attached, but his fastball sat in the 95-98 mph range recently to go along with a plus curveball. He has been tremendous for the Commodores so far this spring. He should go higher than this, but the big market Red Sox should appeal to him. It’s a 70-grade fastball with a 60-grade curveball and a slider that flashes plus as well.
5. Baltimore Orioles: Colton Cowser, OF, Sam Houston State
Cowser is a left-handed hitter and one of the best in the college crop. He needs to add strength but he already finds barrels at a stellar rate. His plus run times should allow him to stay in center field as well. Mike Elias loves to employ this strategy in the draft. Cowser will be significantly under slot so that Baltimore can continue to add talent throughout the class.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks: Henry Davis, C, Louisville
Davis had a monster season in the ACC and possesses a significant offensive ceiling for a catcher. He makes lots of hard contact and his calling card is his plus-plus arm strength. The Louisville product shows great footwork and accuracy as well and he can really hit. The Diamondbacks could go with anything at this spot but the top college hitter in the draft as already fallen too far.
7. Kansas City Royals: Jordan Lawlar, SS, Dallas Jesuit Prep (TX)
The Royals will be ecstatic if this comes true on draft day. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Texan is a no-doubt shortstop and possesses five-tool talent. Lawlar shows a polished swing with premium bat speed and a chance to reach solid power. He’s drawn comparisons to Bobby Witt Jr. He’s old for the prep class but would be a steal this late into the festivities.
8. Colorado Rockies: Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow (GA)
House is a physical infielder with plus power and was was seen as the top prep player in the class coming into the season. The Rockies haven’t been afraid to tab prep athletes early in the draft and this is no different. He has plenty of strength and bat speed but he’ll likely move to third base as a professional where the bat will still play.
9. Los Angeles Angels: Will Taylor, OF, Dutch Fork High School (SC)
The first draft under new General Manager Perry Minasian should be an interesting one. The Angels haven’t been afraid to select prep players in the past and they go that route again in 2021 with this three-sport phenom from South Carolina. Taylor is a Clemson football recruit and could play slot receiver for the Tigers, but he appears to be signable regardless. The 6’0″ 175 pounder is a premium athlete whose top-of-the-scale run times should keep him in center field. He’s more advanced than most multi-sport athletes but he’s an aggressive player with some hit tool questions.
10. New York Mets: Colson Montgomery, SS, Southridge High School (IN)
The Mets save some money here but Colson Montgomery has lots of helium. Montgomery is 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds. The left-handed hitter is committed to play baseball at Indiana and there could be a spot on the basketball team waiting for him. He has a strong history with wood bats and is a very physical athlete. His body has drawn comps to Corey Seager at the same stage of development. Montgomery has the potential to hit for average and power. He’s a present shortstop that likely transitions to third base in the future. He’s 19 years old already, which will be an issue for some clubs. The Mets have had a heavy presence in attendance for Montgomery and he seems like a definite possibility at this pick.
11. Washington Nationals: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
The Nationals will be ecstatic if this comes true on draft day. They’ve taken lots of college pitchers of late and they jump at the opportunity to add Rocker here. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder came into the year as the likely No. 1 pick, but he hasn’t dominated as expected. Rocker’s fastball gets into the high 90s consistently and he possesses a plus-plus wipeout slider. He has the ability to be a top-of-the-rotation starter, but he does struggle with command too often.
12. Seattle Mariners: Matt McLain, SS, UCLA
McLain went in the first round in 2018, but turned down the Diamondbacks in favor of UCLA. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder has added more strength as a Bruin and it’s helped him show more power potential than expected. McLain has good bat to ball skills and he’s a plus runner that should stay up the middle as a professional. The Mariners love college players and this is solid value.
13. Philadelphia Phillies: Benny Montgomery, CF, Red Land High School (PA)
Montgomery has firmly put himself in the 10-20 range in July. The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder is a premium athlete who plays plus defense in the outfield with raw power at the dish. He’s a raw toolshed, but had a really good summer against quality competition last year. He’s a fast twitch athlete who should hit and remain in center field. This is the first pick of the Dave Dombrowski era in Philadelphia.
14. San Francisco Giants: Sal Frelick, CF, Boston College
The Giants love their college bats under Farhan Zaidi and Frelick fits the bill. Frelick is a no doubt center fielder and there’s a dearth of center fielders in the Giants’ system. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder hits left-handed and projects as a leadoff hitter. The Boston College outfielder makes lots of contact and shows plus bat speed. He should get to average power in the future.
15. Milwaukee Brewers: Ty Madden, RHP, Texas
The Brewers have gone college heavy of late and this would be a solid option for David Stearns and company in the middle of the first round. The 6’3″ 215 pound right hander out of Texas has improving stuff with a fastball that has touched the high nineties, a plus slider and a three pitch mix. He could be a mid-rotation starter and move quickly through a system.
16. Miami Marlins: Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS (GA)
Ford is young for the class and currently plays catcher in Georgia. The low hit rate on prep catchers is a real concern, but this athlete could move to second base, third base or any of the outfield spots in the future. He might possess the best bat speed in the 2021 prep class. Ford also has plus speed and makes consistent loud contact in games. Miami has been all over the prep class in the predraft process.
17. Cincinnati Reds: Will Bednar, RHP, Mississippi State
Bednar fits what the Reds are trying to do under Kyle Boddy. Bednar just won the Most Outstanding Player award at the College World Series and his stuff really played. The 6’2″ 230 pound right hander shows a mid nineties fastball with life and a plus slider with a developing changeup. He’s been lauded for his intelligence and competitiveness as well.
18. St. Louis Cardinals: Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Mississippi
Hoglund was one of the top pitchers in the SEC and was looking like a lock to go in the top ten picks before undergoing Tommy John surgery during the 2021 season. His stuff really ticked up this year however and his durable frame and easy delivery should still get him drafted in this range. The Cardinals have never been afraid to gamble on upside during the draft.
19. Toronto Blue Jays: Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State
Wicks is the top southpaw in the class and he should move quickly through the system along with last year’s first-rounder Austin Martin. The lefty compiled 52 strikeouts over 34 2/3 innings this summer and uses a plus-plus changeup as a wipeout pitch. The fastball also sits in the mid 90s. Wicks is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and shows a low effort, easily repeatable delivery.
20. New York Yankees: Sam Bachman, RHP, Miami (OH)
He offers premium velocity with a fastball that touches 100 mph and also shows a consistent plus slider. His changeup is a very solid third offering. The Miami of Ohio product doesn’t pitch against the best competition in the MAC, but he’s improved his conditioning and athleticism this past summer. He has the stigma of being a “short right-hander” (6-foot-1), but the premium stuff should get him drafted in this range anyway.
21. Chicago Cubs: Jud Fabian, OF, Florida
He was seen as one of the best players in the class coming into the year, but struck out over 40% of the time early on. Swing and approach changes have helped and he tore up the SEC for a stretch before struggling with strikeouts again to close out the college season. Fabian has the unorthodox profile of throwing left-handed and batting right-handed. He’s a great athlete with plus-plus power. He had lots of success in the Cape Cod League and while strikeouts will always be part of his game, he’s earned George Springer comps. Another upside play in Dan Kantrovitz’s first full year on the job in Chicago.
22. Chicago White Sox: Gavin Williams, RHP, East Carolina
The White Sox have been linked to many prep players throughout the process (Colson Montgomery, Wes Kath, Peyton Stovall, Maxwell Muncy) but with Montgomery off the board, Rick Hahn has the “college pitching” light flashing in the draft room while the club is in a competitive window. Williams is a strong and athletic righty who really broke out in 2021. The 6’6″ 240 pounder was named AAC Pitcher of the Year and he ranked fifth in the country with 14.4 K/9 on the season. He had lots of reliever risk and has spent quite a bit of time in the bullpen but this year was different. He works with premium fastball velocity (96-100) and pitch characteristics. Williams also displays an upper 70’s curveball with impressive metrics along with an average slider and developing changeup.
23. Cleveland Indians: Bubba Chandler, RHP, North Oconee High School (GA)
Chandler is a Clemson football recruit and could play quarterback for the Tigers, but he appears to be signable regardless. He has first round potential as a right-handed pitcher and his 97 mph fastball, athleticism and clean arm action are contributing factors. He’s also a switch-hitting shortstop with bat speed and some could prefer that route. The Indians likely leave Chandler on the mound.
24. Atlanta Braves: Michael McGreevy, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Alex Anthopoulos goes back to the college pitching well for a second straight year. McGreevy has drawn some comparisons to former UCSB hurler Shane Bieber, but he throws a bit harder than the Indians’ ace. The 6-foot-4 righty has improved his stuff and pitchability this spring and he doesn’t turn 21 years old until July. His fastball gets up to 96 mph and the strike thrower can really pitch while also displaying a curveball and slider. McGreevy has pristine control and command.
25. Oakland Athletics: Wes Kath, SS, Desert Mountain High School (AZ)
Kath is a shortstop currently that likely moves to third base as a professional. He’s the best prep position player from the state of Arizona and he’s had lots of success with wood bats and during the Area Code Games. The left-handed hitter really attacked the baseball this year and showed a more aggressive approach. Kath has a plus arm and solid hands and should be a good defender at the hot corner.
26. Minnesota Twins: Trey Sweeney, SS, Eastern Illinois
The 6’4″ 200 pounder hits left-handed and likely profiles as a third baseman in the future. He employs a big leg kick in his swing but his hand-eye coordination is tremendous and he’s generally on time at the plate. The 21-year-old can really hit and he should get to average power with all of the hard contact he makes consistently.
27. San Diego Padres: Anthony Solometo, LHP, Bishop Eustace High School (NJ)
AJ Preller loves prep players and the Padres nab another funky southpaw here. Solometo is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound lefty that throws his fastball in the 90-94 mph range. He employs a high leg kick and three-quarter delivery with plus command of his improving stuff. The New Jersey prep has a chance for three above-average offerings.
28. Tampa Bay Rays: Lonnie White, OF, Malvern Prep (PA)
The 6’3″ athlete has a scholarship to play baseball and football at Penn State but he won’t set foot on campus if he goes this high. White was very impressive on the summer showcase circuit when he was focused on baseball alone. He has premium power potential and should stay in center field in pro ball. He’s strong and physical with plus run times and the 18-year-old is just scratching the surface.
29. Los Angeles Dodgers: Peyton Stovall, 2B, Haughton High School (LA)
Stovall can really hit and that interests a team like the Dodgers with a small bonus pool at this spot. He was stellar on the summer showcase circuit and he homered a bunch this spring. Stovall really torched his area and barreled up baseballs consistently. He displays a pretty, left-handed swing and consistently shows solid plate appearances. The Louisiana prep has the potential to get to plus power in the future.
30. Cincinnati Reds (Compensation for Trevor Bauer): Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christian HS (FL)
The Reds make great use out of their increased bonus pool and take one of the best prep pitchers in the entire class. Painter is a 6-foot-6 righty with big raw stuff and a feel to pitch. He’s a power pitcher, but commands well. He’s very athletic and repeats his delivery while offering power stuff and a four-pitch mix. He could end up going much higher than this or report to Gainesville to pitch at Florida in 2022.
Competitive Balance A
31. Miami Marlins: Jay Allen, OF, John Carroll Catholic High School (FL)
The Marlins are all over this prep class and Allen fits in nicely as an athletic outfielder who has excelled at three sports as a prep.
32. Detroit Tigers: Connor Norby, 2B, East Carolina
Norby led Division One with 102 hits and has very few weaknesses at the plate.
33. Milwaukee Brewers: Doug Nikhazy, LHP, Mississippi
Southpaw with quality breaking balls and elite spin rates on his pitches.
34. Tampa Bay Rays: Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU
The Rays take the plunge with their big bonus pool and over-slot an SEC performer that was expected to go in the top 10 range prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery.
35. Cincinnati Reds: Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest
The Reds continue to add talent with this righty from Wake Forest that employs a premium fastball.
36. Minnesota Twins: Joe Mack, C, Williamsville East High School (NY)
The Twins drafted Mack’s brother a few years ago and paid him an over-slot bonus. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder stood out on the showcase circuit and has a chance to be a difference maker behind the plate and at the dish. He’s an above-average hitter with an advanced approach and he will stay behind the plate long-term if allowed. He’s committed to Clemson.
White Sox Round 2 and Round 3
2nd Round: Izaac Pacheco, 3B, Friendswood High School (TX)
The White Sox will likely look to over-slot someone at this spot and Pacheco fits the bill. The shortstop will likely move to third base but he could be a plus defender in that spot. He’s 6’4″ 225 pounds and shows plus-plus raw power but there’s lots of swing and miss in his game. The lefty slugger was better this spring and the power potential is very real.
3rd Round: Joe Rock, LHP, Ohio
Rock is a 6’6″ southpaw that throws a fastball in the 93-96 mph range. He shows a solid slider and developing changeup as well and he should add more velocity as he adds strength. He walks too many hitters but there’s deception in the delivery and he should remain as a starter.
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom on a mobile device) and click create subscription. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.
Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.
Pingback: 2021 Draft Preview: Michael McGreevy (RHP) - Futuresox