Y2Jimmy0

3. White Sox – C.J. Abrams, SS, Blessed Trinity HS (GA) Vaughn seemed tailor made for the White Sox here given how talented he is, and Chicago’s recent preference for college bats with high picks, but Abrams seems to be in the lead now. Sources have told us that heavy-hitting White Sox personnel have seen Abrams a combined five or six times recently. Since Abrams would likely slide to the sixth pick if he doesn’t go third, there may be some pool money saved here (about $1.5 million based on the gap in slot between this pick and the sixth). That money would go a long ways toward tempting another mid-first round, high-upside prep talent to the White Sox next pick at 45, as the savings plus their overage would be a late-teen’s value slot.

I knew Vaughn would be a lightning rod. That's why we chose to do his profile first.

I'd be fine with it. I like premium athletes though. CJ Abrams is a stud. They could probably save a bit of money too

We always pin our FutureSox articles on the first page.

Baseball America updated their mock today and has CJ Abrams to the Sox https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/mlb-mock-draft/ There are some rumblings and rumors that the White Sox might prefer to take an athlete with this pick, and Abrams fits the bill, as does Arizona State outfielder Hunter Bishop or Witt if he gets past Kansas City. Executive Vice President Ken Williams has been in to see Abrams late this spring. You can’t discount California first baseman Andrew Vaughn with this pick either.

I think Abrams is in this mix too, personally.

They are also giving Elijah Tatis $500K. That leaves them with about $3 million

It will count against the 2019 pool. It's for $2.5 million and they were only able to spend $300K in 2018.

Cuban SS Yidde Cappi is unsigned as well. We can hope. Yiddi Cappe | Rank: 7 Hometown: Havana, Cuba Position: SSAge: 16 DOB: 8/17/2002Bats: R Throws: RHeight: 6'3" Weight: 175 lb. WATCH Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 The young infielder left Cuba late last year and has quickly emerged as one of the top international prospects eligible to sign when the next international signing period starts July 2. Tall and lean, Cappe has an athletic and projectable body. He has a body frame similar to a young Carlos Correa or Derek Jeter at a similar age with the potential to fill out as he develops He projects to have average to plus tools across the board. At the plate, he shows advanced bat to ball skills and his bat tool projects to be above average. He makes hard contact to all fields and has an advanced understanding of the strike zone. He shows good footwork and solid hands on defense with plus arm potential. He could eventually outgrow the position, but for now, he'll start at shortstop until he is forced to make a change. He began playing baseball at age 4 in the youth leagues of Havana and in the national competition with the team from the Artemisa province at 16. He never traveled outside of Cuba and scouts did not have a chance to evaluate him until this year. Cappe trains with Wellington Herrera and is represented by Yolfri Sanchez in the Dominican Republic. It's uncertain if he will sign during the upcoming period or wait until July 2, 2020, to sign.

CJ Abrams is awesome. Of course Kenny Williams likes him. Kenny probably like Rutschman, Witt Jr and Vaughn too. KW doesn't deserve a lifetime job but he's actually beneficial as a cross-checker in a scouting role. Jerry Reinsdorf is more responsible for their draft failures than anyone else just for his sheer disdain of paying amateur players.

I'd be fine with Jameson at #45

Nick Hostetler came up in the industry with Atlanta and Schierholtz. The model emphasized athletes and power pitching. Draft trends over the past three years have been more of na organizational philosophy than a Nick Hostetler philosophy.

I wonder if the Sox could get a small discount on Abrams. Maybe $6 million or so. Then try to slide a guy like Hoese to 45

I think Vaughn's 60 hit and 60 power puts him over the top. I could see 70 power eventually too especially in the Sox ballpark with these baseballs. He reminds me so much of Donaldson as a hitter

I still doubt Misner falls that fall but it'd be incredible value. Hoese could get to #45 if the Sox are offering $2 million plus IMO. It should be interesting. I have no reason to believe it won't be the best college hitter or college arm available at #45 though and that player might "fall" explicitly to the Sox with that type of bonus number attached.

This is why. Many have projected that Bryce Bush ultimately won't stay on the infield, but it's just crowded down there right now. Curbelo has been playing 3B. Sosa is at SS. They also have Amado Nunez and Ramon Beltre.

The White Sox very much considered drafting Marcus Stroman in 2012. Many thought he would be their pick. They selected Courtney Hawkins instead. I would absolutely look to see what it would take to acquire him.

Luis Robert promoted to AA Birmingham Steele Walker promoted to High-A Winston Salem Zack Burdi to AA Birmingham

This is what Law said about the draft as a whole: Have I mentioned yet that it's a bad draft class this year? I've been involved in 18 drafts now, between my time with the Blue Jays and the past 13 years with ESPN, and it's the worst college pitching crop yet, while the high school pitching crop is definitely down from the past few years -- at least where the first round is concerned. There's some depth in the prep class, both hitters and pitchers, so teams with multiple picks may still do very well, but the first round is likely to be dominated by hitters as teams flee to the perceived safety of position players, especially college guys.

Sox are just being extra cautious. Robert hit multiple balls over the CF wall in BP tonight. Should be back this weekend.

He's 100% unexciting. He's much more exciting than Adam Engel however. Tilson is hitting .371/.437/.516 with a wRC+ of 152 at Charlotte. He's likely a nothing but it's better than watching Engel produce (.152/.200/.303 batting lines) regularly.

About a month out and this makes the most sense. Vaughn is a no brainer if available.

I think it's obvious what they did. Their system sucked ass. They wanted to integrate the system with baseball players which they did. His 2016 and 2017 drafts lack some upside but they went with safer college types. While that could potentially hurt system rankings, they will have more big leaguers, guys to trade and better minor league teams in theory. They built a base. We all want more HS guys. That's a fact. I think in 2018, they truly took the BPA (on their board) in the first 3 rounds and they made an effort to splice in some HS talent. I think the need to spend picks on guys with similar profiles to insulate a downtrodden system is over. That doesn't mean HS guys in the first 2 rounds necessarily but I think it means they aren't averse to it. I would expect lots of pitching and college pitching in rounds 3-10.

He cannot catch though. Like at all.

I actually think Madrigal will get better as he moves through. The baseballs in AAA and the big leagues are a game changer for a guy with his contact skills.