With pick No. 11 the Chicago White Sox decided on collegiate left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Listed 6-foot-6 and 218 pounds, Crochet offers a fastball in the upper 90s, a 60-grade changeup and an 82-85 mph slider with above average spin rate.
Crochet incorporates a repeatable delivery and a three-quarter arm slot that he uses to hide the ball well. His long arms add to the depth of his breaking pitches, which makes it hard on hitters to adjust. He immediately slots in as a top 10 talent in the White Sox system.
In 36 career appearances at the University of Tennessee, Crochet made 13 starts. The soon-to-be 21-year-old had his junior year delayed by upper back soreness, which was considered minor. He ultimately made one start prior to the COVID-19 induced shutdown.
The left-hander has plenty of life left in his arm following a total of 132 college innings pitched. He struck out 149 total batters compared to 48 walks, while incorporating an 11.2 K/9 in 2019.
White Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley told reporters after the pick that Crochet’s velocity made a big jump from when he first arrived on campus at Tennessee.
“The first pitch he threw at the University of Tennessee was probably 85 mph, maybe 84 mph,” Shirley said. “Now he’s anywhere from 95-100 mph. It’s a testament to his work, to the University of Tennessee, to his desire to get here and it speaks volumes for where he started his college career and where he’s ending his college career.”
Crochet is compared to Chris Sale because of his size, delivery and stuff. Some consider him similar to Andrew Miller as well based on his deceptive arm slot and repertoire.
Crochet told reporters that he knew going into the draft that the White Sox had shown interest in him.
“There’s not really much that I know about the White Sox, but a lot that I’m excited to learn and just the culture that I’m excited to be able to join,” Crochet said.
Below is what some experts are saying about the new Chicago White Sox hurler.
Zack Burdi was the last arm taken in the first round by the organization in 2016. Carlos Rodon represents the previous lefty taken in the first round at three overall in 2014.
The White Sox have had success developing Crochet’s type of profile. His stuff is already good enough to put away major league hitters. The questions begin with his strike throwing ability and whether or not he can remain a starter.
Shirley’s inaugural selection as director of amateur scouting fits the mold of the franchise’s trend. With Crochet’s size and stuff, there is top-three starter potential here with a floor as a later-inning reliever. He could also be a quick mover, albeit that could be hampered by the lack of a 2020 minor league season.
“Garrett is going to develop at his own pace,” Shirley said. “He’s going to tell us that story. I think when you look at the physical stuff he brings to the table, I think if you watch the clips from the draft tonight, the pitch mix is going to tell you that he has major league stuff. He’ll come at his own time frame, but do I think that he could possibly be there soon? Yes, that is possible, but that story is to be told and we’ll see how the environment continues to unfold.”
Photo Credit: Alison McNabb/Tennessee Athletics
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