This is our annual draft tracker, with full info on White Sox draft picks as the draft progresses and as players sign. We will fill it in with as much info on the picks as we can find. A full list of all teams’ selections can be found on MLB.com.
Players in bold have signed. Bonus details and affiliate assignments noted when confirmed…
1 (3): Carlos Rodon, LHP, 6-3, 240, North Carolina State [SIGNED, $6,582,000 – well above $5.722M slot value – not yet assigned but rumored to be Winston-Salem] Details of his signing here.
2 (44): Spencer Adams, RHP, 6-5, 190, White County HS (GA) [SIGNED, $1,282,700 – Slot Value – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
3 (77): Jace Fry, LHP, 6-1, 200, Oregon State [SIGNED, $760,000 – Over Slot ($726,000) – Assigned to Great Falls]
4 (108): Brett Austin, C, 6-1, 190, S/R, North Carolina State [SIGNED, $450,000 – Below Slot ($485,400) – Assigned to Kannapolis]
By taking Carlos Rodon’s battery mate, the White Sox also selected their first position player of the draft. Austin was drafted No. 54 overall out of high school in 2011 by the Padres, but instead elected to go to N.C. State.
As a freshman Austin hit .284/.350/.362 and dropped to a .251/.333/.361 line as a sophomore. He revitalized his draft status by leading the Wolfpack in hitting this year (.344/.414/.516). He walked 27 times and struck out 29 times in 219 at-bats as a junior.
Austin is not a top defensive catcher and may move positions. He also played outfield and DH for the Wolfpack and possesses decent enough speed to play the outfield.
5 (138): Zach Thompson, RHP, 6-7, 210, Texas-Arlington [SIGNED, $363,400 – Slot Value – Assigned to Great Falls]
The White Sox have taken a lot of tall pitchers in recent years and Thompson can join that list. His fastball is 92-95 with an occasionally good slider. He could profile as a reliever with those two pitches.
He has four pitches (also throws a curve and change) so he will likely be given every chance to be a starter to see if the stuff can develop. The MLB.com scouting report of Thompson notes he is raw for a college pitcher. As a freshman he logged 49.1 innings, making five starts and eight relief appearances, with 19 K, 14 BB and a 3.83 ERA. Thompson was used more as a sophomore, but didn’t have as much success (81 IP, 5.33 ERA, 33 K, 26 BB, 91 H). This season as a junior he posted his best strikeout numbers (62 K, 32 BB, 97 H, 46.4 ERA in 87.1 IP).
He’s definitely a bit of a project and looks like an under slot signing.
6 (168): Louie Lechich, CF, 6-4, 212, L/L, San Diego [SIGNED, $40,000 – Below Slot ($272,100) – Assigned to Great Falls]
A run on signable picks for the White Sox, which was somewhat expected after taking tougher signs with the first two picks. Lechich is the first senior to be taken by the Sox this draft.
Lechich was a two-way player at San Diego that worked in the upper 80s with his fastball, but the Sox elected to draft him as an outfielder where is a plus defender. This spring he hit .342/.396/.542 with seven homers, 16 BB and 30 K in 225 AB and posted a 2.51 ERA in 13 starts on the mound. Sox fans may roll their eyes at the fact that he was a standout wide receiver in high school.
He began his college career at Cal, but transferred to San Diego after his freshman season. Despite being a senior that will likely sign for well underslot, Lechich has some ability and is a bit raw for a senior, but does have good bat speed. He was undrafted as a junior when he hit .265/.346/.376.
7 (198): Jake Peter, SS, 6-1, 185, L/R, Creighton [SIGNED, $203,800 – Slot Value – Assigned to Great Falls]
The run on college players continues. He’s also another two-way player following Lechich. Peter could throw up to 96, but pitched just 22.1 innings in the last two years combined at Creighton.
He has a strong arm that can play at shortstop, but mostly played second base at Creighton. He is a good enough defender with the ability to play short though. MLB.com’s scouting report focused on his pitching stuff and notes that he profiles more as a utility player. He has decent bat speed and foot speed.
This season Peter hit .299/.376/.431 with 21 walks and 17 strikeouts in 197 at-bats.
8 (228): John Ziznewski, SS, 6-2, 190, R/R, Long Island [SIGNED, $10,000 – Below Slot ($162,100) – Assigned to Great Falls]
Signability is officially the day two theme for the White Sox. He’s a fifth-year senior, but had a strong year this spring showing both power and speed.
Ziznewski hit .365/.431/.589 with nine homers (24 extra base hits) and was 17-for-20 in stolen bases. He’s already 23 so he’s probably not much of a prospect, but that kind of production is worth taking a flyer on in the eighth round when the Sox seem to be saving bonus dollars for the first two picks.
9 (258): Brian Clark, LHP, 6-3, 225, Kent State [SIGNED, $151,400 – Slot Value – assigned to Great Falls]
On the MLB.com draft stream, Jonathan Mayo said Clark has a good fastball that hits low 90s with a good slider, although his change up is further behind.
Clark pitched out of the bullpen his first two years at Kent State, even becoming an all-conference closer as a sophomore, before moving to the rotation this spring. He struck out 70 and walked 35 with a 3.77 ERA in 88.1 IP as a junior. In two seasons as a reliever he struck out 61 in 63 innings.
10 (288): Jake Jarvis, 2B, 5-10, 175, R/R, Klein Collins HS (TX) [SIGNED, $141,300 – Slot Value – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
The White Sox went back to the high school player pool for the first time since the second round with the selection of Jake Jarvis.
Jim Callis noted on MLB Network that he thought Jarvis was considered unsignable, and was also surprised that he wasn’t taken as a pitcher. The ball jumps off his bat according to Perfect Game and he can reach the low 90’s on the mound with his fastball, and also features a promising curve. Kiley McDaniel at Scout.com had Jarvis ranked as the 63rd best prep prospect in the ’14 class and gave him a 3rd round draft grade.
Jarvis is committed to Texas A&M, and A&M head coach Rob Childress called Jarvis a “special talent” and an “aggressive, mature, competitive, hate-to-lose type of guy”, that can play anywhere in the infield or on the mound.
11 (318): Zachary Fish, OF, 6-1, 200, R/R, Oklahoma State [SIGNED – Assigned to Great Falls]
Fish is a former catcher that now splits his time between the OF and DH for Oklahoma State. He’s noted for his above average raw power, but he features some swing and miss in his game.
Fish hit .314/.396/.525, 236 AB, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 32 BB, 55 SO this year at Oklahoma St.
12 (348): Connor Walsh, RHP, 6-2, 176, L/R, Cincinnati [SIGNED, $100,000 – Assigned to Great Falls]
When he’s on, Walsh will sit low 90’s with his fastball and has the ability to dial it up to 95, though more often he will work in the high 80’s. His curve is inconsistent but has shown promise. He also throws a change that needs work, as does his control. He didn’t miss a lot of bats during his college career. Athletic frame, could have some projection left.
Walsh’s stats at Cincinnati this year: 70 IP, 3.86 ERA, 46 SO/36 BB, .251 BAA. He was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week (4/28) and redshirted as a freshman.
13 (378): Mike Gomez, LHP, 6-1, 195, L/L, Florida International [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
Gomez is a fifth-year senior from Florida International U. He had a 4.95 ERA this year out of the bullpen with 22 SO in 23.2 IP against 11 walks. He was redshirted as a senior after pitching 5.1 innings. He struck out 66 batters in 67.1 career innings at FIU, which is interesting.
14 (408): Bryce Montes de Oca, RHP, 6-8, 265, R/R, Lawrence HS (KS)
Montes de Oca will be a tough guy to sign. He’s a very talented HS arm that can run his fastball up to 98 and sits low to mid 90’s, though his velocity has been up and down this year. The pitch gets great sink and has lots of movement. He also has the chance for an average curve and change, but both need work, as does his command. He has already undergone Tommy John surgery and is committed to Missouri.
15 (438): Ben Brewster, LHP, 6-3, 215, L/L, Maryland [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
Brewster posted some excellent numbers pitching out of Maryland’s bullpen this year as a senior. He has a 2.74 ERA in 23 IP, with an impressive 28 SO (10.96 K/9), though his control was not great with 10 BB. His BAA was a miniscule .132. He pitched just 12 innings during his first three seasons with Maryland.
Scouting reports on his delivery entering his senior season read as follows:
He has a unique delivery in which he slides his entire body at the plate before releasing the ball. He uses a three-quarters arm slot and essentially pitches from 55 feet because of his motion. With the unorthodox look and fastball velocity in the upper-80s, many hitters have a tough time catching up to his heater.
16 (468): Matt Cooper, RHP, 6-0, 190, R/R, Hawaii [SIGNED – Assigned to Great Falls]
Another senior, right Matt Cooper was dominant for Hawaii this year, posting a 1.60 ERA in 106.2 IP, with 106 SO and 28 BB. He didn’t give up any home runs and had a .220 BAA. According to scouting reports Cooper has a four pitch arsenal, with fastball, curve, change and slider. Fastball is high 80’s to low 90’s and he command it well. Curve is his best pitch and it features big break.
17 (498): David Trexler, RHP, 6-3, 185, R/R, University of North Florida [SIGNED]
White Sox stick with the arms by taking Trexler, a fifth-year senior, from North Florida, which plays Division I in the Atlantic Sun. He had a 3.62 ERA in 82 IP this year as North Florida’s ace, striking out 59 against 39 walks. He allowed 4 home runs with a .275 BAA.
18 (528): Tanner Banks, LHP, 6-1, 200, L/L, Utah [SIGNED]
Another senior pitcher, Tanner Banks did not have a great year for Utah, posting a 5.71 ERA in 52 IP splitting his time between the rotation and bullpen. He had 39 SO/19 BB, allowing just 2 HR with a .313 BAA.
19 (558): Aaron Bummer, LHP, 6-2, 200, L/L, Nebraska [SIGNED – $100,000 – Assigned to Great Falls]
Aaron Bummer, a junior from Nebraska, was the third best pitcher in the Cornhuskers’ rotation this year, posting a 3.34 ERA in 89 IP, with 56 SO/35 BB, allowing 2 HR and a .275 BAA. Bummer pitched in last year’s Cape Cod League and sat low 90’s with his fastball, touching 94. Was selected in the 31st round of the 2011 Draft by the New York Yankees.
20 (588): Brannon Easterling, RHP, 6-4, 230, R/R, St. Edward’s U. (Texas) [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
Sox go back to the senior pitchers with big bodied, fifth-year senior Brannon Easterling. Easterling was the dominant ace of the St. Edward’s (Division II) rotation this year as he compiled a 1.50 ERA in 114.1 IP with 108 SO/23 BB (excellent 4.7 K/BB), allowing 4 HR and a .187 BAA. Easterling is described as having a bulldog mentality and he had 15 complete games from 16 starts this year.
21 (618): Ryan Leonards, 3B, 5-11, 195, R/R Louisiana-Lafayette [SIGNED – Assigned to Great Falls]
Leonards is the first position player the Sox have selected since the 11th round. Leonards, a senior, hit .323/.394/.458 in 251 AB with 4 HR, 34 RBI, 26 BB/28 SO. Very good contact rate. Baseball America note that Leonards is an “aggressive, accomplished hitter” with above average speed and is a “valuable, versatile utilityman who can play all over the diamond.”
22 (648): Kevin Swick, 3B, 6-0, 195, R/R, Southern Cal [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
White Sox select back-to-back 3B with Kevin Swick of USC. He hit .299/.353/.348 in 204 AB, 0 HR, 24 RBI, 15 BB/25 SO, 3-7 in SBA as a senior. No power whatsoever. Swick’s accolades include being a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic, and USC 2013 Tommy Award for Male Trojan of the Year. He’s noted for his “relentless work ethic”.
23 (678): Michael Hollenbeck, C, 6-2, 225, L/R, Illinois State [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
The Joliet native is the second catcher drafted by the Sox this year after Brett Austin in the 4th round. The Illinois St. senior hit .338/.410/.458 in 201 AB, 2 HR, 48 RBI, 28 BB/21 SO. Excellent strike zone judgement and approach at the plate. Not a lot of power though.
24 (708): Michael Suiter, CF, 6-1, 200, R/R, Kansas [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
Sox take back-to-back Michaels with the selection of the Kansas junior. This season for the Jayhawks he batted .322/.410/.424 in 239 AB with 3 HR, 42 RBI, 26 BB/27 SO, 3-5 in SBA. Another batter with a solid approach at the plate and not much power.
25 (738): Mason Robbins, RF, 6-2, 210, L/L, Southern Mississippi [SIGNED – Assigned to Great Falls]
Mason Robbins is a junior who hit just .267/.314/.392 in 240 AB with 4 HR, 38 RBI, 15 BB, 33 SO, 1-3 in SBA. Not a lot of offensive production from Robbins this year. He put up better numbers in his sophomore year, batting .317/.358/.416 in 224 AB with 2 HR, 40 RBI, 15 BB, 27 SO, 2-4 in SBA. Robbins was highly thought of out of high school and was named Mr. Baseball for Mississippi in 2011. He was previously drafted in the 20th round of the 2011 draft by the New York Mets.
26 (768): Ethan Gross, SS, 6-0, 193, R/R, Memphis [SIGNED – Assigned to Great Falls]
Memphis’ senior SS Ethan Gross got the second highest number of AB’s on his team this year, but his production was underwhelming as he hit .267 in 221 AB with 0 HR, 21 RBI, 26 BB, 33 SO and was a poor 12-19 in SBA.
27 (798): Ryan Jones, 1B, 6-4, 215, L/L, Arizona Christian [SIGNED – Assigned to Great Falls]
White Sox stick with the bats by taking fifth-year senior Ryan Jones. The powerful and patient 1B hit .282/.395/.544 in 149 AB with 10 HR, 33 RBI, 16 BB, 26 SO, 12 HBP for Arizona Christian (NAIA). Great production but contact is not good. His father, Gary, played professional baseball in the San Francisco Giants organization, where he reached the Triple-A level.
28 (828): Blair Moore, 3B, 6-2, 200, L/R, California Baptist [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
Moore, a fifth-year senior hit .294/.411/.391 for California Baptist (Division II) in 197 AB this year, with 3 HR, 40 RBI, 31 BB, 36 SO, 8-9 in SBA. Excellent patience at the plate, but conversely non-excellent contact. Very efficient base stealer. Moore’s power was way down this year after he slugged 9 home runs and 20 double last season for a .230 ISO.
29 (858): Evin Einhardt, RHP, 6-3, 191, R/R, Brewton-Parker College [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
After a long run of bats, the White Sox go back to the arms with the selection of Brewton-Parker (NAIA) senior Evin Einhardt. Einhardt compiled a 1.57 ERA in 69 IP this year with 58 SO/28 BB, 0 HR, .241 BAA. He pitched mainly out of the rotation but did make two relief appearances to open the season, recording one save.
30 (888): Marc Flores, 1B, 6-5, 225, L/R, Hawaii [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
Flores, a big, hulking senior 1B from Hawaii, hit .305/.404/.458 in 190 AB, with 5 HR, 44 RBI, 26 BB/32 SO this year.
31 (918): Josh Goossen-Brown, RHP, 6-2, 210, R/R, San Diego [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
Goossen-Brown was a two-way player for San Diego, but the Sox had him listed as a pitcher. Pitching in relief, this fifth-year senior compiled a 1.55 ERA in 29 IP, with 22 SO/7 BB, 0 HR, .227 BAA. Control was very good with 2.17 BB/9. As a hitter, he went .314/.392/.463 in 175 AB with 4 HR, 27 RBI, 11 BB, 19 SO.
32 (948): Adam Choplick, LHP, 6-9, 250, R/L, Oklahoma
White Sox go to Oklahoma for the pick of huge lefty Adam Choplick. His results this year were not good, as he put up a 5.35 ERA in 72.1 IP with 76 SO/32 BB, 3 HR, .288 BAA as a junior. The strikeouts are nice at least and there may be something to work with stuff wise. He throws his fastball in the low 90’s with good movement and compliments it with a good change. Has already undergone Tommy John surgery twice. He was previously drafted in the 17h round in 2011 by the Diamondbacks.
33 (978): Louis Silverio, OF, 6-3, 198, R/R, Florida International [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
The White Sox go back to FIU to select Silverio, who amassed just 44 AB this year as a junior, hitting .273/.333/.364, with 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 11 SO. Small sample but contact rate was very poor this year. Was previously at Indian River State College.
34 (1008): Michael Danner, LF, 5-10, 186, L/R, Univ. of Tampa [SIGNED – Assigned to AZL White Sox]
The Sox have had a history of taking players from Tampa, a Division II power. Danner hit .326/.421/.567 with 8 HR, 30 BB and 21 strikeouts in 178 at-bats. He also stole 9 bases in 12 attempts. Danner, a senior, transferred to Tampa from Polk State College.
35 (1038): Jared Koenig, LHP, 6-5, 198, Central Arizona College
Shocker, a tall pitcher drafted by the White Sox. As a freshman in 2013, Koenig had a 4.47 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 25 walks in 48.1 IP, eight starts and five relief appearances. 2014 stats don’t seem to be listed (yes, we are getting deep in the draft).
36 (1068): Dayne Wagoner, C, 6-0, 190, R/R, Great Oak HS (CA)
Just the second high school position player the Sox have drafted. Found his twitter (@daynewagoner), but that’s about it.
37 (1098): Jed Sprague, 1B, 6-2, 185, R/R, St. Mary’s HS (CA)
Another California high schooler, but this one we have some info on. His father, Ed, was a MLB All-Star in 1999 and his grandfather, Ed. Sr., pitched in the Majors from 1968-1976. Jed’s mom, Kristen Babb-Sprague, won an Olympic gold medal in synchronized swimming. Ed Jr. also won a gold medal in baseball in 1988. So there’s no pressure to live up to parents’ success or anything. Jed is committed to the University of the Pacific in the West Coast Conference.
38 (1128): Anthony Justiniano, SS, 6-1, 165, R/R, Clemente HS (IL)
The Sox have a habit of selecting Chicago high schoolers late in the draft and the trend continues. Clemente has a strong baseball program (they better since they are named after Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente) and Justiniano is committed to Wabash Valley College in downstate Illinois. He also pitches and played in a White Sox summer team.
39 (1158): James Davison, CF, 5-7, 160, L/R, Morgan Park HS (IL) [Going to Howard, confirmed by player – WILL NOT SIGN]
Another Chicagoan drafted from the White Sox summer program. Davison is committed to Howard Junior College in Texas.
40 (1188): Julien Service, RF, 6-4, 205, R/R, Howard College (TX)
From a Howard College commit in Davidson to a current Howard College player in Julien Service. The Ontario native hit .375/.459/.642 with 5 HR, 49 RBI, 51 R and 14 SB in 53 games this spring as a sophomore.