The White Sox are in a very good position to draft a one of a kind talent in this year's draft, but there are six players that have been discussed about who will go to the Sox at number three. There's been a lot of speculation, rumors, and mock drafts for what happens, but all that matters is when Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announces those names that teams draft. Of the six players, let's go ahead and take a look at each of them.
Adley Rutschman, Catcher, Oregon State
Hit 60 Run: 40 Arm: 60 Field: 60
The overall best consensus best player in the draft. He might be the best since Bryce Harper was eligible in 2010. This player is the real deal as he is a stellar hitter and is outstanding defensively. He plays for an Oregon State program that produces a lot of talent including White Sox 2018 First Round draft choice Nick Madrigal. What helps build his value is he is a switch-hitter and strong defensively. He is known for drawing a lot of walks, but he is a complete hitter. It would suggest he can hit for average and has power, which otherwise suggests he is the complete package. This guy is the real deal.
Probability of being drafted: 50/50
Rutschman should not be in the 50/50 position of being drafted by the White Sox at the third pick because of how talented he is as he should be the number one overall pick, but with rumors swirling that the Baltimore Orioles will take someone else and with mock drafts and experts saying the Kansas City Royals taking Bobby Witt Jr. for the second pick, the Sox would have to take Rutschman.
Bobby Witt Jr, Shortstop, High School
Hit: 50 Power: 55 Run: 60 Arm: 60 Field: 60
Son of pitcher Bobby Witt, his son might actually have the best overall grades by scouts in this draft as he is undeniably the best athlete of the entire class. What boosts his value is he plays at a premium position. He is regarded as a five-tool player, which any team would find to be ideal, but this kid might be the real deal. He has all the makings of being one of the most exciting players in the MLB.
Probability of being drafted: Highly unlikely
Unless all the mock drafts get it wrong, Witt Jr is extremely likely to be drafted at number two overall by Kansas City. That being said, in a hypothetical situation where he is available if Rutschman has been taken, then he absolutely should be drafted.
Andrew Vaughn, First Baseman, California
Hit: 60 Power: 60 Run: 30 Arm: 50 Field: 50
Of all the player's mentioned thus far, this might be the safest pick. The overall consensus of Vaughn is that he is the best pure hitter in the draft as he has tremendous power. He also walks more than strike out which is a big plus. That being said, he is a first baseman only type of player, which hurts his value. He is only an okay fielder and might benefit well as a designated hitter.
Probability of being drafted: High
As mentioned earlier, this might be the safest pick for the Pale Hose. While some have thought that he will drop in the draft, it doesn't hurt picking him as he seems to be the most major league ready bat in the entire draft and could move quickly up the ranks.
CJ Abrams, Shortstop, High School
Hit: 55 Power: 40 Run: 75 Arm: 55 Field: 50
Abrams comes out of a high school in Georgia where many big league players have come from, however, this guy might actually be the best to come out of the school. Abrams is extremely athletic and his speed is off the charts. MLB Pipeline has even given him a comparison to Dee Gordon. Despite his raw talent, he might be the guy the Sox draft and the question will be where he plays.
Probability of being drafted: Favorite
In many mock drafts Abrams is said to be drafted by the Sox, so he is the odds on favorite to go at number three. If the Pale Hose do draft him, where he will play is a question that will be answered fairly quickly afterwards.
JJ Bleday, Outfielder, Vanderbilt
Hit: 55 Power: 60 Run: 40 Arm: 60 Field: 50
Bleday is an intriguing case as while he seems like an excellent choice, but the Sox have a plethora of outfield prospects and may not need him. However, he is a left handed bat and is one of the better pure hitters in this draft. He also is an excellent fielder which probably should make him an attractive choice. He has also played with wood bats in his time in the Cape Cod Summer League and did well suggesting that he might be close to major league ready with his bat.
Probability of being drafted: Very low
Not to knock on Bleday, even though very talented, he is probably the least likely guy here to be draft at when the White Sox are called. However, drafting him might actually not be a bad idea and seems like a pretty safe player to draft.
Nick Lodolo, Pitcher, TCU
Fastball: 55 Slider: 55 Changeup: 55 Control: 55
Lodolo is the clear cut best pitcher in this draft, though it's fairly weak in that position in this year's crop. A tall southpaw, Lodolo is a fairly consistent pitcher with some intriguing stuff. He was once picked 41st overall in 2016 out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but chose to go to TCU instead. That being said, it never hurts to draft another pitcher, something the club already has an abundance of and this guy is a good one.
Probability of being drafted: Low
While there is a lot to like here about Lodolo, the Sox recognize that they do not need more pitchers. He would seem be a safe pick despite some questions about his control, however, the Sox are very likely to go with a position player.
Prediction: Adley Rutschman
It seemed like at the very last second that Baltimore has crazily decided to go in a different direction, though that will all come to fruition when they make their pick. But if that's the case, and with Kansas City likely to pick Witt Jr, the Sox will have to draft Rutschman. He would probably be the best Sox draft pick since Chris Sale. Though, the likelihood of who will get drafted is either Vaughn or Abrams.
*Draft grades provided by MLB Pipeline
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