White Sox 2021 MLB Draft Day 2 recap: Eight pitchers in eight rounds

Arizona's Gil Luna (4) pitches against ASU during the first inning at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 30, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Having drafted a couple of prep position players in Colson Montgomery in the first round on Monday, followed by Wes Kath in the second round this afternoon, the White Sox turned their attention to pitching for the rest of the 2021 MLB Draft‘s second day. Most of the picks are senior signings whose slot values will be devoted to signing players away from college commitments, but there are at least a couple of notable arms in the bunch.

PERTINENT: With Colson Montgomery, White Sox finally return to high school in first round

Third round: Sean Burke, RHP, Maryland

Ranked: No. 53 (Baseball America), No. 75 (MLB.com),

The 6-foot-6-inch, 230-pound right missed all of the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery. Throw in the pandemic-shortened 2020, and his entire collegiate career lasted just 18 games and 97 innings. He struck out 142 batters during that time with a 2.97 ERA, but with nearly as many walks (53) as hits allowed (63).

At his best, he throws up in the zone with a high-90s fastball, and down with a knuckle curve. The velocity and control both fluctuate. He’s another credible high school basketball player with athleticism that transfers to the mound, so there’s hope that he can iron out these inconsistencies.


* * * * * * * * *

Fourth round: Brooks Gosswein, LHP, Bradley University

Ranked: No. 310 (BA)

And heeeeeeere come the senior signings, starting with Gosswein, a left-handed sinkerballer who played in Peoria. Both BA and Jim Callis described an arsenal (sinker that can touch 95, average slider and changeup) that’s better than the results (a 5.32 ERA in the Missouri Valley Conference the last two seasons).

* * * * * * * * *

Fifth round: Tanner McDougal, RHP, Silverado HS (Nev.)

Ranked: No. 145 (ESPN), No. 148 (BA)

The highest-ranked prospect remaining is also the lone prep pick, a 6-foot-6-inch, 210-pound righty who’s committed to Oregon. BA says he didn’t have much in the way of showcase experience, but he was able to make use of the new draft combine to improve his stock.

There’s effort in his delivery, and BA points out the head whack, but he’s got a compelling combination of pitches for an 18-year-old, and he’ll probably get over-slot money for it. He’s the son of Mike McDougal, not to be confused with Mike MacDougal.

* * * * * * * * *

Sixth round: Taylor Broadway, RHP, Ole Miss

The White Sox are no stranger to drafting closers from major conferences during the second day, and here comes the 5-foot-11-inch Broadway, who saved 16 games for Ole Miss in 2020. Broadway pounds the strike zone, recording 107 strikeouts against just 15 walks over 89 collegiate innings. He got that done with a a mid-90s fastball with ride and a couple different breaking balls.

Two fun facts: Broadway’s dad, Danny Broadway is a professional bowler, and Taylor Broadway’s highlight reel shows a penchant for screaming and neck veins.

* * * * * * * * *

Seventh round: Theo Denlinger, RHP, Bradley University

Those who predicted the White Sox would draft two pitchers from Bradley in their first seven picks can collect their winnings/get arrested for insider trading. Denlinger, who’s 25 and stands 6’3″ and 240 pounds, didn’t post noteworthy results in a closer role, but the Northwoods League team with which he played says he can hit 100 mph. If that doesn’t make him stand out, I’ll point you to his Bradley player page:

His family has built a blacksmith shop at their home, where Denlinger has developed into an accomplished blacksmith artist, having created an impressive collection of knives and swords.

* * * * * * * * *

Eighth round: Fraser Ellard, LHP, Liberty University

Another college closer, Ellard saved seven games over 26 appearances for Liberty in 2021, and struck out 63 batters against 13 walks over 44⅓ innings. He has a herky-jerky delivery with a three-quarters arm slot that looks like it plays well against lefties, but here’s some footage of him striking out a righty.

He’s 23, so the ages are going in the right direction.

* * * * * * * * *

Ninth round: Gil Luna Jr., LHP, Arizona

The undersized lefty came out of nowhere to post an effective year out of the Wildcats bullpen, with a 1.69 ERA and 31 strikeouts to 11 walks over 21⅓ innings. Despite the success, he wasn’t part of the Arizona roster in the College World Series due to a suspension, as he and teammate Randy Abshier, pitcher teammate were suspects in an off-campus assault case. That’s the most recent update I can find, which was more than two weeks ago.

* * * * * * * * *

10th round: Tommy Sommer, LHP, Indiana

Sommer started 12 games for the Hoosiers in 2021, posting a 4.60 ERA with 69 strikeouts against 38 walks and 55 hits over 62⅔ innings. The only velocity readings I can find are from 2019, when his fastball was in the mid-80s.

* * * * * * * * *

The final day of the draft, which covers the 11th through 20th rounds this year, begins at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday, and if the past is precedent, the first few picks will get paid more than most of the guys on this list.

(Photo of Gil Luna by Patrick Breen/The Republic)

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Malkatraz

“He’s the son of Mike McDougal, not to be confused with Mike MacDougal.”

They’ve got the Big Mac. We’ve got the Big Mick.

jhomeslice

Going back to last year, 13 of their last 15 draft picks have been pitchers. Hope it works for them, and that they balance that out in next year’s draft.

Root Cause

I saw that as well and wondered if they are playing the lottery in hopes that 1 good pitcher can be traded for more than one position player. I didn’t say that was inside information or even a good idea, just wondered why as well.

metasox

IIANM, the org went more heavily for relievers vs starters (who might end up relievers) today than is typical. Maybe a strategy there.

Last edited 2 years ago by metasox
burning-phoneix

It’s a given that good pitching costs more in trade value than good hitting (look at the haul Quintana got us because the Cubs were so desperate for pitching) but also because SPs have the highest wages in baseball and that’s no good for Jerry’s heart so they need a conveyer belt of pitchers to replace guys hitting Arbitration .

joewho112

But they are all relievers

HallofFrank

I like the strategy for a few reasons. For one, the Sox top prospect list is tilted towards position players. Of the FG 29 prospects, 12 are pitchers. For two, their international signings are position player heavy. From the FG list, Vera is the only pitcher of 9 intl. signings. For three, random college pitchers anecdotally seem like better bets than random college hitters. For example, even though the Sox made college position players a priority during this time, you have to go back to 2015 to find one drafted in round 3 or later that has made it to Chicago—Seby Zavala. A few pitchers have during that time: Lambert, Hamilton, Foster, Stiever, and Heuer.

jhomeslice

I recall in 2016 the Indians wound up getting Bieber, Civale, and Plesac – all in the 3rd round or later, which is crazy. Hope the Sox get a windfall like that, even one good pitcher would make it worthwhile.

shaggy65

I really like the Sean Burke pick. Sounds like he has really high upside if he can put it all together–which is perfect for the 3rd round.

As for the rest of the picks, I’ve learned to trust that the Sox will consistently find good relievers in these middle rounds. I don’t know that we needed so many of them, but at least we’re playing to our strengths.

It seems like the Sox may now be focusing on getting their low-level position prospects via international signing, which seems like a sound strategy.

ParisSox

Profile reminded me of Alec Hansen

Sophist

Ok — after making about 12 clicks to log in . . . here’s my useless comment:

Another Broadway! This is where I came in.

jorgefabregas

Yeah I checked whether he was related to Lance too. Learned that Lance had an acting career and also allegedly seriously hurt a guy in an assault.

metasox

Don’t recall coming across the Northwoods League in drafts. It looks like a pretty expansive league

jorgefabregas

I believe it’s considered the second best summer wood bat league after The Cape

I went to a Prospect League game in Danville, IL last week. I grew up in the area and usually went to a few Danville Dans games every year. The league’s been around for a long time under a few different names, and they’ve put almost 200 players in the majors. If you look at the alumni list you’ll recognize a lot of names, including Charlotte’s Mikie Mahtook. It’s a pretty high quality league, and a fun, cheap way to see some good baseball.

Last edited 2 years ago by Right Size Wrong Shape
Trooper Galactus

Using a pick on a 25-year old reliever throwing triple-digit heat makes me wonder if they’re hoping to strike gold and get him to the majors fast.

burning-phoneix

Don’t like this. Wish we had more position players to juice the system.

As Cirensica

I thought I was the only one thinking about this. That’s a lot of pitchers. Maybe Hahn has a plan to fill out most position players with his Cuban network.

texag10

Alternatively, Hahn could already be preparing for the fact he’ll need to trade from the low minors pitching at the deadline and this draft is prepping for those losses?

metasox

Isn’t it mostly college seniors, in most cases with the idea of saving money? The Sox may feel that pitchers (and maybe closers in particular) are the most likely seniors to make it to the majors. I don’t know if there is any data on this

Last edited 2 years ago by metasox
HallofFrank

The system already tilts towards position players and almost all of the Sox international signings of note are position players (Vera the only one out of 9 that appear on the Fangraphs Board).

Holland23

Broadway really puts on a show…

Last edited 2 years ago by Holland23
soxygen

I wonder who is most likely to crack the top 100 lists next year. Colas? Burger? Montgomery? Sheets? Kath? I wouldn’t be surprised if it is “none of the above” in pre-season rankings.

Given where we are, I’ll take the combo of depth and upside. But it may be a few years before we rank in the top 15 farm systems.

HallofFrank

Burger is my vote. He may lose prospect status (and I hope he does), but if he doesn’t I think it’s silly to leave him off a top 100 list. I don’t know what opportunities Montgomery and Kath will have to play before then, but I’d be shocked if either of them made a top 100 list without an opportunity to play.

As Cirensica

A White Sox prospect we shouldn’t sleep on is Jose Rodriguez. I know I am very limited on my opinion in players evaluations because I am not involved, and I don’t pretend to know how scouting works, but for what I have read and his numbers, Rodriguez keeps improving, and he is just 20. He could be our new Leury in a few years.

jhomeslice

You wonder if they might promote him at least to the Dash soon.

jhomeslice

A couple weeks or so back, I checked how several other top 100 prospects were doing, and Burger seemed to have about the best hitting numbers. Top 100 does not seem like a stretch at all. It’s all opinion anyway, even if he’s not on the list, it does not mean he does not belong there. As long as he can stay healthy, that’s the main thing for him.

dansomeone

So McDougal played for the Blacksmiths and Denlinger IS an actual blacksmith? They should get along well with Gunnar Troutwine.

dat gummit

And heeeeeeere come the senior signingscomment image