After picking in the top five the last two years, the White Sox are looking to find gold as they return to the No. 11 slot, where they took Missouri State third baseman Jake Burger in 2017. While that pick has been a disappointment primarily due to injury, there are plenty of reasons for hope that the Sox can mine some gold in this year’s draft.
Here’s a look at some gems that teams have unearthed at pick 11 in years past.
Addison Russell
Selected out of Pace High School in Florida in 2012, Russell posted a 10.7 WAR over the course of 615 MLB games and was an important contributor at shortstop on teams that made deep playoff runs on the North Side. He appeared on his way to a productive career when disturbing off-the-field issues surfaced, leaving his future as an MLB ballplayer in serious doubt.
George Springer
The 2014 Rookie of the Year has been a fixture in right field on successful teams for the Houston Astros. He’s made the All-Star game three years running, and White Sox fans are eyeing him to fill the gaping hole in right field as a splash free agent signing in 2021. Has the cheating scandal tainted the career 25.4 WAR performer? When that question will be answered is currently unclear.
Justin Smoak
The first baseman has seen major league time with three different teams and made one All-Star appearance since entering the league out of the University of South Carolina. He averages 25 home runs per year since being promoted to the big leagues in 2010, which contributed to a 6.7 WAR in 4,034 career trips to the dish.
Max Scherzer
Will there be someone of Max Scherzer’s caliber available at 11 this year? White Sox fans and management alike could only dream of having a player that successful. With seven straight All-Star appearances and three Cy Young Awards, the only question is why the Arizona Diamondbacks traded the University of Missouri product to Detroit.
The White Sox can only hope this year’s draft is that deep. Other notables chosen in Scherzer’s class included Evan Longoria, Brandon Morrow, Andrew Miller, Clayton Kershaw, and Tim Lincecum. Picking at number 29 that year, the White Sox selected right-hander Kyle McCulloch, who fizzled out at Double-A.
Andrew McCutchen
The Pirates hit the jackpot the previous year, taking the centerfielder out of Fort Meade HS in Florida. The 2013 NL MVP and 2009 Rookie of the Year has participated in five All-Star games, won a gold glove, and captured four Silver Slugger Awards. There are plenty of big names in this draft class as well, including Justin Upton, Alex Gordon, Ryan Zimmerman and Ryan Braun at the top of the list. Jacoby Ellsbury and Colby Rasmus were chosen last in the first round after the White Sox made Lance Broadway the 15th pick.
Other players chosen at number 11 who have generated more than 10 WAR in their career include infielder Neil Walker. Pitcher Shawn Estes, former AL Rookie of the Year Oakland shortstop Walt Weiss and San Diego Outfielder Shane Mack.
Before Jake Burger, the last time the White Sox picked at number 11 was in 1975, where they grabbed pitcher Chris Knapp. Outfielder/DH Greg Luzinski was drafted by the Phillies at number 11 in 1968 has some productive years with the White Sox at the end of his career in the early 80s, including smashing 32 home runs and an .854 OPS for the division-winning 1983 “Winning Ugly” team.
Photo credit: MLB PR
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