2026 MLB Draft Thread...White Sox Control Draft/Roch the House

[DirtySox]

A Cholowsky/Emerson discussion sure is interesting. If Roch is who we think he is, do you risk passing on that for a similar but left handed profile with perhaps a slightly higher ceiling and more speed? You then also have to take into account our player development and the ability to unlock that ceiling along with the slower time to the bigs inherent with a prep selection. Do they want a more immediate impact for a hopefully burgeoning contention window? But you also potentially could cut a deal with Grady and have a few more million to play with.

The risk averse part of me feels like you have to go with Cholo if he performs. You can't miss on this.

We are going to have some fun discussions over the next few months. 

Edited 7 hours ago by DirtySox

[caulfield12]

Pick two  FIND the best CF prospect and pay him a bundle

 

Dream guy to fall but pretty unlikely...

"On the offensive side of the ball, Sawyer Strosnider is a name that intrigues me. The TCU outfielder is a draft eligible sophomore and has all the tools in the world. He is a tremendous athlete with a sturdy 6’2 200 pound frame. Despite that size, he projects to be a center fielder in pro ball.

Strosnider has plus speed and power. There are some hit tool concerns, but they are not extreme. He did hit .350 in his freshman year at TCU last season. The one thing he will need to solve is left handed pitching. He only hit .204 against lefties his freshman year. Even if you have all the tools, being unplayable against left handed pitching limits the ceiling.

Right now, MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the 10th best prospect. There is real 5 tool upside here. If he solves his issues against lefties, the Nats may not have a chance to take him due to his upside. However, if he falls to pick 11, he is a name to watch."

from a Nationals fanboard

[caulfield12]

CF draft candidates  rounds 2/3

1. Caden Sorrell Texas A&M, OF mate of LaViolette

2. Eric Booth Jr.  Vandy recruit

3. Trevor Condon Etowah GA

4. Blake Bowen  Oregon State recruit

5. Brady Harris Florida

6. Tre Broussard Univ.Houston

7. Jake Brown LSU, OF mate of Curiel

[caulfield12]

16 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

A Cholowsky/Emerson discussion sure is interesting. If Roch is who we think he is, do you risk passing on that for a similar but left handed profile with perhaps a slightly higher ceiling and more speed? You then also have to take into account our player development and the ability to unlock that ceiling along with the slower time to the bigs inherent with a prep selection. Do they want a more immediate impact for a hopefully burgeoning contention window? But you also potentially could cut a deal with Grady and have a few more million to play with.

The risk averse part of me feels like you have to go with Cholo if he performs. You can't miss on this.

We are going to have some fun discussions over the next few months. 

Can anyone make the case for Justin LeBron?

[DirtySox]

28 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Can anyone make the case for Justin LeBron?

I like him, but there are some red flags for pick #1. He really struggles with spin and off-speed stuff. Will see how he fares this year, but he really struggled in conference play. Never say never though.

Edited 6 hours ago by DirtySox

[Squirmin' for Yermin]

Gimme Thome! Lol

[DirtySox]

It kinda warps my brain that Jim's kid is a SS. Probably won't stick there though.

Quote

61. Landon Thome - SS

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R

School: Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. Committed/Drafted: Tennessee. Age At Draft: 18.6

Thome is the son of Hall of Fame first baseman Jim Thome, and he stands out as one of the more impressive pure hitters in the 2026 class. A 6-foot, 185-pound lefthanded hitter and shortstop, Thome has a slightly-open setup in the lefthanded box with a steep and uphill bat path that comes with a loose, easy operation and tons of pullside power. He has above-average raw power now and, perhaps unsurprisingly given his name, the ball does often sound different coming off his barrel. He has performed for multiple summers at a high level, takes quality at-bats and at the 2025 Area Code Games was one of only a few players to show in-game home run power. He’s a fine runner, but might be stretched at shortstop, as he shows actions that could be a better fit for second base or third base at the next level. Thome is committed to Tennessee.

 

Edited 6 hours ago by DirtySox

[Squirmin' for Yermin]

16 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

It kinda warps my brain that Jim's kid is a SS. Probably won't stick there though.

 

I really like the write up. Good IQ, bat and kid

[southsider2k5]

1 hour ago, DirtySox said:

A Cholowsky/Emerson discussion sure is interesting. If Roch is who we think he is, do you risk passing on that for a similar but left handed profile with perhaps a slightly higher ceiling and more speed? You then also have to take into account our player development and the ability to unlock that ceiling along with the slower time to the bigs inherent with a prep selection. Do they want a more immediate impact for a hopefully burgeoning contention window? But you also potentially could cut a deal with Grady and have a few more million to play with.

The risk averse part of me feels like you have to go with Cholo if he performs. You can't miss on this.

We are going to have some fun discussions over the next few months. 

This stuff usually plays itself out in the spring.  The good news is, if the race is still that tight in June, the Sox can use it as a negotiation tactic. 

[DirtySox]

Come back @Harold's Leg Lift ! We need to celebrate. 🥲

[southsider2k5]

45 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

It kinda warps my brain that Jim's kid is a SS. Probably won't stick there though.

 

6 foot and 185?  You sure that's his kid?

[DirtySox]

 

[caulfield12]

1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said:

6 foot and 185?  You sure that's his kid?

[Bob Sacamano]

2 hours ago, DirtySox said:

It kinda warps my brain that Jim's kid is a SS. Probably won't stick there though.

 

Jim Thome played more games at SS than 3B in the minor league season after he was drafted