(670 The Score) The White Sox should feel pretty good about the work their amateur scouting staff has done in recent seasons.
Each of the White Sox's last two first-round picks – first baseman-turned-outfielder Andrew Vaughn in 2019 and left-hander Garrett Crochet in 2020 – are already making key contributions to their big league club, which is currently in full control of the AL Central and carries World Series aspirations.
Going back before 2019, the White Sox have an array of first-round picks also playing important roles on their club. Shortstop Tim Anderson (2013), left-hander Carlos Rodon (2014), catcher Zack Collins (2016) and infielder Jake Burger (2017) were all first-round picks who have been stars and/or key contributors this season. Second baseman Nick Madrigal, their first-round pick in 2018, was also having a strong season before going down with a season-ending hamstring injury.
Come Sunday when the MLB amateur draft begins, the White Sox will look to replicate that success. They hold the No. 22 pick in the first round.
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While the White Sox won't tip their hand, MLB Pipeline draft expert Jim Callis has indicated they're looking closely at young high school infielders as a priority. Thousand Oaks High (Calif.) shortstop Max Muncy, Desert Mountain High (Ariz.) third baseman Wes Kath and Southridge High (Ind.) third baseman Colson Montgomery are players whom the White Sox have scouted and figure to be available in their range.
The infield class, particularly shortstop, is considered strong and deep this year, a fact that White Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley acknowledged.
"We know drafts can be tricky," Shirley said in reference to not getting locked in on just one area of the talent pool. "We remain open-minded about positions, because our goal is to pull off a successful draft. Do we upstairs feel the high school shortstops can make some noise for us? Yes, we like a lot of those players. Is that a position we are looking very deeply at? Absolutely. We feel the skills set that some of these infielders possess are very significant."
As always, the White Sox also view the addition of pitching depth as vital too.
"The most important piece we always dive into is the pitching part," Shirley said. "When we start putting together a pitching chart in the front office, youth matters and young athletic starters who can fill a void in the organization are always going to matter and get our attention."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
