With day one of the 2010 draft just 8 days away there is, naturally, a lot of information/news/rumors flying around right now on individual player draft stocks and team interests. I’ve compiled various mock drafts and give some thoughts on the players connected to the White Sox.
Starting with Jim Callis’ most recent mock draft over at Baseball America which was released 5/28:
13. WHITE SOX: Chicago is targeting college pitchers. The White Sox almost never deal with the Boras Corp., so that rules out Harvey, but Wimmers and fellow righthanders Brandon Workman (Texas), Asher Wojciechowski (The Citadel) and Brett Eibner (Arkansas) would be in play.
PROJECTED PICK: ASHER WOJCIECHOWSKI.
Wojciechowski at 13 feels like a bit of a reach. He has a good fastball that he can dial up to 96 mph, sitting routinely in the 92-94 mph range. Also throws a plus slider and below average change. Should sign for slot money. Eibner is a two way player who can get the fastball up to 97, with a plus slider and fringe average change. I like Eibner more than Wojciechowski.
Frankie Piliere’s mock over at AOL Fanhouse dated 5/26. It’s not his most recent mock but it includes some interesting notes:
13. White Sox | Nick Castellanos (3B) | Archbishop McCarthy H.S. (Fla.)
The White Sox have been linked to a number of young bats and some
college arms, but they may have their sights set on Castellanos. They’ve
seen him perform well of late and have continued to show serious
interest. Josh Sale and Bryce Brentz, if he’s available, are also
players that could go here.
And from the accompanying draft chat:
Q: Are Castellanos/Sale the only two prep players the White Sox are linked to at this moment? It doesn’t fit their typical draft philosophy, but such results would be encouraging.
Frankie Piliere: Those are really the only two I’ve heard. They’ve been in on a lot of the college arms like Workman and Wimmers as well.
A high school hitter like Josh Sale or Nick Castellanos would certainly provide a nice change of pace. I like Sale over Castellanos. Both project as potential plus average/plus power guys, but Sale has less concern over his pitch recognition, and is generally considered a “safe” high school pick, while still possessing an impressive upside.
Frankie Piliere’s most recent mock draft dated 5/31:
13. White Sox – Bryce Brentz (OF) | Middle Tennessee State
Look for the White Sox to look at the college ranks to find their pick. That much we can depend on. Brentz and Kvasnicka top their short list of college bats they would consider in this spot. They have looked at college arms like Wojciechowski and Workman, but they don’t appear to be on Wimmers. High school bats Sale and Nick Castellanos are also apparently not in play. Chicago is one of the biggest believers in Brentz’s bat in the round so I’d look for them to go there with this pick. If they do go the high school route, Yordy Cabrera, who is a hot name all over the round, could get a look here.
Now he’s hearing that the previously mentioned prep bats of Josh Sale and Nick Castellanos are no longer targets of the Sox, but this could quite conceivably be smokescreen. I’m not sure what to think of Bryce Brentz, he has interesting tools and nice power potential, but he plays against weak competition and his plate discipline hasn’t been great. At his peak he could be a .280/25 HR type hitter while bringing solid defense in a corner OF spot. He’s seen as a relatively safe pick without a huge amount of upside. Mike Kvasnicka’s name also comes up for the first time. Kvasnicka’s an athletic catcher with some good defensive tools, but is in need of significant refinement. His name has been mentioned as high at #4, but general consensus lists him in the 70-100 range in terms of value.
Andy Seiler’s latest over at MLB Bonus Baby dated 5/24:
13. Chicago White Sox – Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas – Like Allie, Workman has changed the minds of the scouting community quite recently in a positive direction. After scuffling through a few starts early in the season, he’s turned it on over the last month, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him off the board in the top half of the first round. The White Sox aren’t being clear about their direction, except to point out that they’re likely to stick to slot again.
I like Brandon Workman, many don’t, because they see him in the Lance Broadway/Kyle McCulloch mold, but I think that’s unfair to Workman. His fastball sits 91-93 touching 95 at times. His curve is a borderline plus-plus pitch. He has a good cutter to help sit down the lefties and his change is fringe average. The fact that he should sign quickly for slot money doesn’t make him a bad prospect.
Jonathan Mayo’s mock at MLB.com dated 5/26:
13. Chicago White Sox: Alex Wimmers, RHP, Ohio State
The White Sox have taken a college player, four of them pitchers, with their top pick in each of the past eight years. It looks like a good direction for them this year, with a few advanced arms that could fit here. Wimmers’ hamstring injury won’t hurt his Draft stock.
Similarly to Workman, many people are put off by Wimmers because they see him in the McCulloch/Broadway mold. Wimmers’ fastball is below average in velocity sitting 89-91, but he commands it well and it has good movement. His curve and change are solid average to plus pitches giving him a good repertoire. His ceiling is that of a mid rotation starter.
And finally Keith Law’s mock over at ESPN dated 5/31 (insider content):
13. Chicago White Sox: Deck McGuire
They’re taking a non-Boras college arm — McGuire’s stock seems to be slipping, which could push him to the White Sox over Asher Wojciechowski and Barrett Loux.
McGuire would be a good value pick as he has been comfortably in the top 10 for quite some time now. He doesn’t have huge upside, but with a low 90’s fastball that can touch 94, two potentially plus breaking pitches and change that could become above average, he profiles well as a mid rotation starter who should move quickly. Barret Loux gets his first mention here. Loux has a good arm and can touch 96/97 with the fastball. His curve and change both have promise, but he doesn’t throw them as much as you would like.
General Draft Notes:
Dylan Covey’s stock is down
Drew Pomeranz’ form has returned: Mayo Law (insider)
Anthony Ranaudo put in an improved performance: Fitt (BA) Mayo Law
Karsten Whitson impresses
NCAA College World Series regional pairings released
College Splits released their all stats draft board