Y2Jimmy0

Garrett Mitchell is a toolsy outfielder from UCLA and could be an option for the White Sox with the 11th pick. Sean Williams has the profile here: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/04/2020-draft-preview-garrett-mitchell-of/

If the White Sox want to draft another hitter in the first round, they should go the prep route. Taking a college hitter makes sense in general but there are flaws to the strategy this year. I wrote about that for today: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/04/white-sox-draft-strategy-should-deviate-from-college-to-prep/

They aren't allowed to strike. The owners are definitely dangling this as a possibility. If they don't agree on something, Manfred can theoretically say, "the season will be 50 games. You get prorated salaries. Play or don't". The owners are trying to divide and conquer. 65% of the league makes under $1 million. Those players get way more money in the sliding scale offer than they would playing 50 games. The owners think that the rank and file will convince the MLPBPA to take a deal. I've done my fair share of bashing Tony Clark. It's tough to represent a union made up of haves and have nots though. With that being said, there is some optimism. I've heard from people tonight that think 82 games, prorated salaries, deferrals for anyone making $10 million or more ultimately gets done. We're running out of time though.

I think they've met with a bunch of guys and the media caught wind. Big media types assumed they were going college because they always do. That's just not necessarily the case though.

Fegan said in his latest article that the Bailey love is overblown. I've heard the same FWIW.

Nick Bitsko re-classified to get into the 2020 draft. He didn't pitch this spring but he has major helium as a 17-year-old and should definitely go somewhere in round one. Could he be an option for the White Sox? Jasper Roos has the profile: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/03/2020-draft-preview-nick-bitsko-rhp/

Rankin and I sat down with Kyle Peterson of ESPN and SEC network and we discussed some draft prospects, his thoughts on the labor talks and what the ESPN draft product might look like. Check it out here: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/03/futuresox-podcast-ft-kyle-peterson-of-espn-the-sec-network/

He'd sign this time lol

I've never personally heard the connection. I knew they were all over Kelley. They could feel similarly or better about Abel I'm just not in tune to it. Callis linked them to all the preps and Shirley said they really like the HS pitching class on the call today.

I don't believe he will be.

Yeah I'm actually writing something on this currently. I'm not interested in going with a college hitter this year. It usually makes sense and is fairly safe, but I don't like it for lots of reasons at #11 in this class. I love the prep hitters and without a minor league season and what next year looks like very uncertain, I hope they go younger.

Both IMO. They were all over Jared Kelley this year and loved him over the summer. Jim Callis mentioned them with Bitsko and Abel as well. I just wouldn't bet on them taking the plunge. These opinions are changing and we're obviously a week away but I think Reid Detmers is the selection if available. If he's not, I think it's a prep hitter but nobody should be surprised by a college hitter with their history.

It was a fun one to write. I'd lean against them going this route at this point though.

Jared Kelley is one of the best prep pitchers in the 2020 draft class. The White Sox have done extensive work on Kelley during the pre-draft process. They haven't selected a prep pitcher since taking Kris Honel in 2001. I profiled the right hander here: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/01/2020-draft-preview-jared-kelley-rhp/

Mike Rankin wrote the profile on Auburn right hander Tanner Burns. Burns is probably a reach at #11 but the White Sox tracked him this spring and in the past. He's falling out of the 1st round in recent analyst mock drafts. https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/02/2020-draft-preview-tanner-burns-rhp/

I think what happened yesterday proves that there will be a season. It'll be ultimatum time at some point. If the two sides can't agree, the commissioner can unilaterally decide on a 50 game season at full prorated salaries. At that point, I suppose the players could refuse to play but I think that leverage pushes the two sides to an agreement.

This will end up being 82 games.

I posted some signings on twitter for people to see. I wrote about these for patrons back in February but I corresponded with Ben Badler recently and the players will be in his International Previews on Baseball America. Norge Vera RHP Cuba $1.5 million bonus Victor Quezada 3B DR $525K Manuel Guarimon C Venezuela $475K Dario Barrero OF Venezuela $350K Adrian Gil RHP Venezuela $250K Gabriel Rodriguez IF Venezuela $100K Antonio Jimenez OF $90K Quezada is a big, strength/raw power guy. I tweeted a video. Sox had decent luck with pitchers similar to Gil the past few years with (Cristian Mena and Manuel Veloz). Badler said he expects another "big Cuban signing" due to their history and available pool space.

There's no way the owners go for 114 games but the players opened the door to deferrals. The owners will agree on expanded playoffs and the opt-out for players. They should meet in the middle by the end of the week. Owners defer a portion of full prorated salaries and players agree to a shorter season.

The biggest issue with the diabetes is other clubs. Even if the Sox are comfortable with it, many teams aren't and it potentially limits trade options down the road.

I understand that. If one player tests positive, he's out for two weeks and in quarantine. Then they'll test the rest of the team and everyone that player came in contact with. Whoever tests positive will obviously be out. If they have enough testing though, you theoretically don't have to shut everything down.

10%? No chance it's that high.

This isn't feasible though. Hospitals are in good shape. We have to figure out how to live with this thing until there's a cure/treatment. Cook County has the most positive cases in the country and due to increased testing, our infection rate statewide is like 6%. We can't shut everything down because 6 out of every 100 people tested have this thing.

Theoretically, yes but I'm not sure punting 2/5 picks makes much sense. You should get the 5 best players you can sign in my opinion.

Exactly. Last year, the Sox gave Andrew Vaughn the full slot. Then they gave Thompson $2.1 million in round 2 ($600K over slot). Andrew Dalquist got $2 million (that was like $1.3 million over slot). They paid their selection in rounds 5-10 $10K each to save the money to pay for it. That's not possible this year. In the 2020 draft, these are the bonus amounts. 1st round 11th overall: $4,547,500 2nd Round 47th overall: $1,580,200 3rd Round 83rd overall: $733,100 4th Round 112th overall: $517,400 5th Round 142nd overall: $386,600 Their best would likely be getting their first rounder for $4 million. They can save close to $1 million overall by doing this. This would allow them to spend $2 million in round 2 and over $1 million in round 3 by going 5% over their pool. Full slot will make it tough to accomplish though.