The Gregory Santos deal has now been completed! The White Sox received the 68th overall pick in the draft, along with Zach DeLoach and Prelander Berroa, from Seattle in exchange for the reliever. We now know the full details of the trade, as the White Sox select prep LHP Blake Larson from IMG Academy in Florida with the Competitive Balance B pick. The southpaw ranked 104th on MLB Pipeline’s rankings, and 121st on Baseball America’s list, and was committed to TCU. Larson is noted on our FutureSox Draft Tracker as well.
With the 68th pick in the 2024 #MLBDraft, the White Sox select LHP Blake Larson from IMG Academy (FL). pic.twitter.com/extB4iqpxq
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 15, 2024
The 6’3, 180 pound lefty sits in the low-mid 90s with his fastball, and can touch 96. It’s got some arm side life to it, almost becoming a sinker at times. His bread and butter is a big, sweeper-esque breaking ball around 80 MPH that induces some pretty funny swings, especially on the prep circuit. There is a seldom used changeup in the mix, but it currently isn’t a true offering. Larson throws from a low three-quarters slot, almost sidearm, helping him to get that sink to his fastball, and really get on the side of his breaking ball.
Control is where Larson is lacking, as there’s a lot of effort and long levers being moved in a jerking motion in his delivery. We have seen the White Sox do well with pitchers of that type (hello Noah Schultz), and new senior pitching advisor Brian Bannister has his first potential homegrown talent in Chicago.
White Sox 2Ca-68: Blake Larson, LHP, IMG Academy (FL) — toolsy pwr prep arm, low/mid 90s FB plays up due to low slot that also lets sweepy SL play as s/m weapon, some signs of growing CH, refinements to violence in delivery/control but pwr FB/SL would play in relief (TCU commit)
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) July 15, 2024
As of right now, Larson projects as a starting pitcher and there is a ton to like in the frame and pitch shape. If Larson puts on muscle, he could see a jump in velocity, which could allow him to continue on a path toward starting long-term. He’s a few years out, but that should be more than enough time for him to become a true pitching prospect.
With rookie ball ending shortly, Larson will likely report to Arizona and work with White Sox staff on the backfields of Camelback Ranch. He could be a candidate to pitch in Kannapolis as a 19-year-old in 2025 but this will be a long development path for the teenage lefty.
An extended look at Blake Larson (@IMGABaseball) as he finished with 5Ks in 2IP.
— Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) February 16, 2024
FB: 93-95 T96 (24-2530rpm)
SL: 81-82 (2880-2950rpm)
CH: 86 (2200)
69% strikes on 26 pitches w/ 6 whiffs. #PGHS @PG_Draft https://t.co/Pl2WrmRSYb pic.twitter.com/CQuIZRuW5y
As a prep player with a commitment, Larson’s signing bonus likely eclipsed the slot value at #68 overall. The White Sox were very familiar with the southpaw as he was a well known Iowa prep prior to transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. He was also a member of the club’s Area Codes team last summer. Shirley noted that the move to Florida was beneficial for Larson. Brian Bannister and the White Sox’s scouts were obvious fans of Larson.
“Brian Bannister was excited about what Blake did, our scouts were excited about Blake,” said Shirley. “The interesting part about Larson, which is so different in the stuff world we’re living in, if you watch, his fifth and sixth inning was better than his first and second. He gets stronger as the game goes, which is uncommon in this world of stuff. Guys come out blowing heaters. This guy is really competitive. You’ll see his best stuff sometimes later in the game because he’s trying to put his foot on the gas pedal when it counts and he’s trying to get wins.”