2021 MLB Draft Watch: Top 30 Prospects and Mock Draft 1.0
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Hi Josh! I always look forward to your draft coverage. I love the idea of the Sox targeting prep infielders in the 2021 draft as the system is definitely lacking in that regard. If Pacheco were to get selected ahead of the Sox pick at 22, would there be any other prep infielders you would also consider? I was thinking Peyton Stovall, who has tore it up this spring, yet there seems to be big questions about his defense.
This is a good question.
Looking at this from the White Sox POV and their recent draft history. If a prospect like Pacheco was off the board, I could see a duplication of what they have done in 2019 and 2020. Taking what they believe is the best college player at Round 1, and then going prep in Round 2 and 3.
Playing out this scenario, based on the MLB Draft Rankings Database, the first round pick could be Jud Fabian from Florida. Very gifted athletically that has quite of power in his bat. But strikeouts is a major issue and his contact could be 40-grade. The White Sox would hope that Fabian is a more powerful version of Adam Engel.
Then the Prep part.
In Round 2, they could target prep OF Malakhi Knight. I’ve read reports that place a 70 or 80 score for his speed, no doubts he can cover CF, but the bat is very raw. May need $2 million to buy out his college commit to UCLA.
In Round 3, there’s a group of Prep Pitchers the White Sox could target:
– Irv Carter, RHP
– Will Koger, RHP
– Caedmon Parker, RHP
There are 3 prep SS:
– Edwin Arroyo
– Michael Braswell
– Cameron Cauley
This is a tricky area. Like in 2019 with Andrew Dalquist, the White Sox would have to go overslot to draft any of the players above. Which means several $20K bonus players from Round 4 – 10 to make it happen. I don’t think there is an issue going down this path again, but it’s something fans will have to embrace the strategy again.
I hope this answers your question. Again, after Pick 15, the outlook is very hazy at this moment.
Thank you so much for the in depth response Josh! Fabian is tooled up, yet the strike out rate exceeding that of Jeren Kendall has me concerned. I would definitely welcome the Sox adding some prep position players to go along with their recent H.S. pitchers.
All for more prep picks with upside.
If Jaden Hill slips, would Lucas Giolito’s success with the Sox influence Mike Shirley to draft another pitcher with a long TJ recovery ahead?
I like this idea a lot, a majority of pitchers get an arm surgery, Hill was a top 10 talent maybe creeping to top 5 status if he would of had a strong season, if you can get him in the back half of the 1st round plus likely save a few bucks to throw at high end prep talents in rounds 2 and 3 I’m on board.
I have had this very same thought. Huge upside and can follow Kopech’s path as a reliever. When he is ready they can stretch him out to be in the rotation. Save some money in the 1st round to pick up a couple of preps in the next couple of rounds.