White Sox Mock Draft Roundup: Tank for Abrams?

We're approaching a fortnight until the MLB draft, and there appears to be a different consensus building. The last time we looked at which players the leading draft prognosticators tied to the White Sox with the No. 3 pick, the majority leaned toward Cal first baseman Andrew Vaughn.

Now, the most three recent mock drafts all have the White Sox leaning toward C.J. Abrams, the prep shortstop out of Georgia.

MLB.com (May 17)

• White Sox select: C.J. Abrams, SS, Blessed Trinity Catholic HS (Roswell, Ga.)
• First two picks: Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State (Orioles); Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Colleyville (Texas) HS (Royals)
• Previous mock: Andrew Vaughn, 1B, California

There could be be dissension in the ranks at MLB Pipeline. For the second time in a row, Jim Callis assigned Abrams to the White Sox, but in the week in between, Jonathan Mayo slotted the college bat third overall. Callis says the White Sox are targeting up-the-middle players, while Mayo is leaning on the team's history of college bats.

Callis will be joining us on the upcoming Sox Machine Podcast to offer his individual insight.

†FanGraphs (May 14)

• White Sox select: Abrams
• First two picks: Rutschman, Witt
• Previous mock: Vaughn

While MLB Pipeline's two chief mockers might carry differing projections all the way to draft day, Kiley McDaniel's crew changed its forecast from Vaughn to Abrams. McDaniel says the Sox could save some pool money by taking Abrams with the third pick, because he could slide to sixth if they don't take him. Meanwhile, he says the Orioles have a chance of going with Vaughn in the top slot if they go under-slot around Rutschman, but in that scenario, the Royals would then take the Oregon State catcher.

†Baseball America (May 10)

• White Sox select: Abrams
• First two picks: Rutschman, Witt
• Previous mock: Vaughn

Carlos Collazo also shifted the White Sox' preferences toward Abrams, citing in-person appearances by Kenny Williams, although he does offer a nod to Vaughn as a strong possibility. He also drops the name of Arizona State outfielder Hunter Bishop if the Sox are seeking more athleticism from their first pick.