5 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Much like the White Sox, I'm a sucker for an outlier lefty.

6 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

Much like the White Sox, I'm a sucker for an outlier lefty.

I know you are. I feel like you were on Liam Doyle before anyone else was.

I’m sure someone will post it, but KLaw mentioning Lackey is getting 1-1 buzz. I would be shocked if the Sox take him first.

55 minutes ago, fathom said:

I’m sure someone will post it, but KLaw mentioning Lackey is getting 1-1 buzz. I would be shocked if the Sox take him first.

Dude is super athletic and plays multiple positions. Speed is his best tool. My brain is starting to wonder if he could be a CF? That's above my pay grade though. I really like him. Law's blurb below.

Scouting Report

Bats: R, Throws: R

Lackey was a prospect coming into the year, but he has exploded at the plate and is now generating 1-1 comments from national scouts. He’s hitting .405/.529/.811 with more walks than strikeouts and has even stolen seven bases. He's also maintained a whiff rate on fastballs under 10 percent. He can definitely stick behind the plate, although he has the athleticism to potentially play somewhere else if a team wants to get his bat in the lineup more often.

1 hour ago, fathom said:

I’m sure someone will post it, but KLaw mentioning Lackey is getting 1-1 buzz. I would be shocked if the Sox take him first.

49 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Dude is super athletic and plays multiple positions. Speed is his best tool. My brain is starting to wonder if he could be a CF? That's above my pay grade though. I really like him. Law's blurb below.

Guessing Lackey doesn't get out of the top 3 at this point. Lebron is the guy who will fall.

@Y2Jimmy0 Think there's any shot Lackey is seriously in the mix for the White Sox?

Edited April 9Apr 9 by DirtySox

BA had an excellent piece on Lackey posted March 24th for anyone else that is intrigued.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/scouting-vahn-lackey-an-outlier-athlete-excellent-defensive-catcher-coming-into-newfound-power/

Body & Swing

Like most top-ranked collegiate catchers, Lackey has a strong and powerful frame. He was a huskier player in his early days but has done a nice job leaning out and adding strength to his frame throughout his college years. He’s now listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds with long legs and broad shoulders.

In the righthanded batter’s box, Lackey employs a slightly crouched and even stance. He’s relaxed with solid rhythm and has a soft bat waggle with his hands at chin height in his pre-pitch setup before taking a standard hand load to get going. His lower half is fairly simple with a small leg kick and standard stride.

The movement and rhythm in Lackey’s swing so far in the 2026 season are different from what he showed previously. This spring, there’s more life in his hands. Last summer and during the 2025 season, Lackey was much more still in his batting stance. He kept his barrel rested on his shoulder and employed a slight barrel tip in his load before firing his hands, and the direction of his leg kick was a bit different, as well.

Approach & Contact

Contact skills were the defining trait of Lackey’s offensive profile prior to the 2026 season.

After hitting .214 in 33 games as a freshman in 2024, Lackey led Georgia Tech with 77 hits and hit .347 in a breakout 2025 sophomore campaign. In his college career, he has managed an 84% overall contact rate, a 91% in-zone contact rate, a 90% contact rate vs. fastballs and a 77% contact rate vs. secondaries.

Those career contact rates are similar to what he’s managed so far in the 2026 season, even with some of the power gains he’s shown (which we’ll get to shortly).

Lackey has never struck out at a high clip. The 17.5% strikeout rate he posted as a freshman is the worst of his career, and he’s steadily brought that mark down year-over-year.

He amplifies his bat-to-ball skills with impressive patience and a solid batting eye that makes him difficult to strike out and leads to solid on-base value. Lackey has swung the bat less than 40% of the time throughout his college career, and he’s been even more patient so far in 2026, with a 34% overall swing rate. That patience can border on passivity at times, and letting too many balls go by in the heart of the zone is something that could continue to be a point of emphasis for him.

Power

The singular reason for Lackey’s up-arrow trajectory this spring is because of his power. It was the No. 1 to-do list item for him entering the spring and the lone significant question mark of his profile.

There were hints of what was coming during his sophomore season. He lowered his groundball rate significantly—from 56.9% in 2024 to 46% in 2025— and his 90th percentile exit velocity was also 3 mph better. While that led to many more extra-base hits, Lackey still hit just six home runs in 60 games last year.

He flew through that mark in 2026 with nine home runs in his first 19 games. His current .851 slugging percentage would shatter his previous single-season best (.500) if he can maintain it throughout conference play and into the postseason.

Lackey doesn’t have exceptional bat speed, but he is strong and can homer to all fields with a batted-ball profile that continues to improve. A majority of his home runs have gone to center field and the pull side in left, but he has shot a pair of homers to the opposite field in right, too.

Below is a table that shows the progression of Lackey’s batted-ball data throughout his college career.

Lackey is hitting the ball harder than he ever has before, and his hardest-hit balls are also more frequently being put into the air and towards the pull side. He’s done all of that without losing any of the excellent contact quality that made him a solid pure hitter in previous seasons.

Put it all together, and you’re looking at a career year.

Speed

For many positions, speed is the tool seen as least valuable. And for catchers, it can be almost disregarded entirely. The range component of catching is essentially being able to block well laterally. And unless you’re named JT Realmuto (or 2025 Cal Raleigh), stealing bases could be as much of a detriment as a benefit for catchers given the grind their bodies are already going through behind the plate.

Lackey is unique in this capacity, because he’s an excellent runner for a catcher and someone who can turn in above-average or even plus run times while underway. He takes a few steps to get going, and his running form isn’t the most smooth, but he moves shockingly well for his size.

Teams tend to project down on catchers’ run tools because of the toll the position puts on their legs, but if Lackey didn’t catch and became a legitimate 55-grade runner, that wouldn’t be shocking—though a 50-grade or 45-grade run tool in the long run might be more likely.

He’s been an excellent baserunner in his college career. He stole 18 bags as a sophomore and so far has gone 26-for-29 (89.7%) across all three seasons.

Fielding & Arm

Lackey’s offensive exploits might be getting most of the headlines, but his best tools are, without question, his defensive ones behind the plate. Many scouts view him as the best defensive catcher in this class, and many teams believe he’s one of the best defensive players available overall.

He’s a tremendous athlete with excellent hands, actions and a plus arm strength. He’s the sort of receiver who should be able to steal plenty of strikes in all areas around the zone. His hands are quick, snappy and confident.

Like nearly all catchers these days, Lackey works from a one-knee-down setup, and he does a tremendous job moving from that position with an enviable ability to get side-to-side and block. In addition to moving well and getting in front of the baseball in the dirt, Lackey also does a nice job smothering and centering his blocks, which allows him to get into throwing position quickly when necessary.

He simply looks like the sort of catcher that pitchers dream of having behind the plate.

Lackey’s plus arm strength ties together his defensive tools nicely, though his 25.6% career caught stealing rate (22-for-86) perhaps sells this tool short. He has solid power and accuracy with his throws and routinely turns in pop times in the 1.85-1.95 second range. He also does a lot of the finer details at a high level. His exchange is quick, he does a nice job with his footwork to get in good positions to throw and he also showcases unusually strong slot versatility for a catcher.

On top of all the physical tools, scouts see a catcher who has the work ethic and desire to play the position with the energy and want-to that separates the good from the great.

If catching doesn’t work out—and that would be surprising—Lackey is the sort of athlete who could play a number of other positions. Georgia Tech coach James Ramsey came into the season intending to play Lackey at all non-pitching positions in a single game to showcase his defensive versatility and did just that on March 10.

Seems like a plant to minimize Roch's contract as much as possible??

3 hours ago, DirtySox said:

BA had an excellent piece on Lackey posted March 24th for anyone else that is intrigued.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/scouting-vahn-lackey-an-outlier-athlete-excellent-defensive-catcher-coming-into-newfound-power/

White Sox would simply argue not a priority...they slrrsdy have two big league catchers better than combinations on all but 4/5 other teams.

1 hour ago, Squirmin' for Yermin said:

Seems like a plant to minimize Roch's contract as much as possible??

I don't think so. My eyebrow would raise more if there were reports of expressed interest by the White Sox, but it's probably too early for that. Just seems to be an industry consensus that he's a dude with a huge up arrow. Does everything well and plays a premium defensive position at a high level with the flexibility to play other positions as well.

Edited April 9Apr 9 by DirtySox

Sharing the top 10 from Law's top 50.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7179347/2026/04/09/mlb-draft-prospect-rankings-2026-vahn-lackey/

1.) Roch Cholowsky

2.) Vahn Lackey

3.) Jackson Flora

4.) Tyler Bell

5.) Grady Emerson

6.) Eric Becker

7.) Drew Burress

8.) Cade Townsend

9.) Cameron Flukey

10.) Justin Lebron

A few other rankings of board favorites/White Sox adjacent players. No Thome.

45.) Brody Brumila

47.) Joseph Contreras

48.) Will Gasparino

Edited April 9Apr 9 by DirtySox

Why/how has Emerson fallen?

21 hours ago, DirtySox said:

Sharing the top 10 from Law's top 50.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7179347/2026/04/09/mlb-draft-prospect-rankings-2026-vahn-lackey/

A few other rankings of board favorites/White Sox adjacent players. No Thome.

45.) Brody Brumila

47.) Joseph Contreras

48.) Will Gasparino

Just want to flag this sentence from Law's Lebron entry.

If a team has no history or competence in developing hitters’ approaches and swing decisions, he’s not the guy for them.

On 4/9/2026 at 5:43 AM, fathom said:

I’m sure someone will post it, but KLaw mentioning Lackey is getting 1-1 buzz. I would be shocked if the Sox take him first.

Just screams someone trying to smokescreen.

2 hours ago, Quin said:

Just want to flag this sentence from Law's Lebron entry.

Unless they can push one of them down to round 3, seems early, at least this early on.

Braden scuffling a bit in the early going.

Cholowsky 0/4 2 bb vs. Rutgers

Gasparino 2/7

game went 14 innings

26 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Has Fathom gotten on board with GT over Roch?

9 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Has Fathom gotten on board with GT over Roch?

Nope

2 hours ago, fathom said:

Nope

https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/basketball-women/2026/04/11/iowa-womens-basketball-dani-carnegie-transfer-portal-georgia-hawkeyes/89573672007/

Btw, thanks for two GT stars and an assistant coach/head recruiter too...

Edited Sunday at 02:28 AM5 days by caulfield12

Law says that Roch has "held serve" this season but hasn't taken another "step forward." Just stay well ahead of the pack.

Tampa should be all over Lackey. He's athletic and they haven't had a catcher in years.

New BA mock. Will share the top 15. Only the blurbs for the top 5.

1. White Sox — Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA

Bonus Pool: $17,592,100

Slot Value: $11,350,600

What’s there to say here? Cholowsky remains the overwhelming favorite to be the first-overall pick, as the entire industry continues to view him as the clear top player in the class. He’s following up his 2025 Player of the Year season with a 2026 that’s nearly identical from a performance standpoint. He’s a potential gold glove-caliber shortstop with an offensive package that could fit at the top or in the middle of a lineup and is backed by three years of high-level college production. Don’t get cute—take the best player.

2. Rays — Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS, North Richland Hills, Texas

Bonus Pool: $19,009,300

Slot Value: $10,507,000

Emerson seems as entrenched at the top of the board as any player after Cholowsky. It sounds like he’s a strong fit either here with the Rays or third to the Twins if Tampa Bay elects to go elsewhere. He’s performed as expected this spring and has one of the safest profiles in the class despite being a high schooler. Few would argue if you wanted to say he had the best pure hit tool in the class—college or prep. Because of that and his solid secondary toolset and shortstop profile, there’s a lot of comfort here.

3. Twins — Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech

Bonus Pool: $16,929,600

Slot Value: $9,740,100

Teams picking in the back half of the top 10 are starting to assume Lackey won’t get to them. He has all-star upside even if he’s only an average hitter, and at the moment, he’s showing the toolset to be better than that in the batter’s box. He’s an elite athlete with elite defensive upside at the game’s most premium position, and because of that, he’s the current favorite to be the first college position player off the board after Cholowsky.

4. Giants — Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS, Miami

Bonus Pool: $14,080,400

Slot Value: $8,988,400

Lombard has had an excellent season with Gulliver Prep and boasts one of the louder physical toolsets in the class. Saying he has a greater upside than all three players in front of him if everything pans out wouldn’t be crazy. Still, you’ll get wide ranges of opinions on Lombard because of how frequently he swung and missed last summer. Teams that value athleticism and upside will be more willing to take a shot. Lombard or Mississippi outfielder Eric Booth Jr. are the high school hitting favorites after Emerson.

5. Pirates — Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Bonus Pool: $19,130,700

Slot Value: $8,336,500

Flora is the only pitcher consistently talked about at the top of the board. He’s the one pitcher with clear first-round stuff who’s both healthy and performing. Flora has allowed just two earned runs this season and owns a 0.63 ERA over nine starts with a 32.1% strikeout rate. He’s averaging 96 mph with a fastball that has gotten up to 100, and his new-look changeup is now a key piece of his arsenal. Opposing batters are hitting just .133/.167/.156 against his changeup with a 47% miss rate.

6.) Royals - Sawyer Strosnider

7.) Orioles - Chris Hacopian

8.) Athletics - Cameron Flukey

9.) Braves - Eric Booth Jr.

10.) Rockies - AJ Gracia

11.) Nationals - Ace Reese

12.) Angels - Gio Rojas

13.) Cardinals - Ryan Helfrick

14.) Marlins - Justin Lebron

15.) Diamondbacks - James Clark

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-updated-first-round-picks-for-every-team/

Edited Monday at 02:59 PM4 days by DirtySox