Chicago White Sox 2020 MLB Draft Grade and Recap

By: Will Farlow

The Chicago White Sox went into the 2020 MLB Draft with needs of left handed pitching and continuing to develop their farm system for the future as the team is heading into contention. White Sox rookie scout Mike Shirley did a good job of making some smart picks in a pitcher heavy MLB Draft. As in any professional sports draft some players fell at picks to Chicago that they prepared for in a good strategic approach. Here is my overall draft grade for the White Sox and some info on each of the new Chicago White Sox players.  

Draft Grade: A

​Round 1: Pick 11 - Garret Crochet  LHP  Tennessee

​After lefty Reid Detmers went to the Anaheim Angels at pick 10 the White Sox select lefty Garret Crochet. Crochet is a very good left handed pitcher drawing comparisons to Madison Baumgartner and former White Sox star pitcher Chris Sale. Mike Shirley and GM Rick Hahn were excited following the pick and believe this left hander can be a starter . Scouts believe Crochet can be in a Sox bullpen this season and follow a Chris Sale style path to the rotation. I like Crochet's command and effectiveness in his pitches . I love this pick for Chicago as they fill a need of left handed pitchers.

​Round 2: Pick 47 - Jared Kelley  RHP  Refugio High School  (Texas)

​The White Sox take another good pitcher here selecting Jared Kelley here in Round 2. Kelley is a good high school pitching prospect that was a steal falling to Chicago at this pick as he was projected at #12 of all MLB Draft prospects. Looking at some scouting reports, Kelley is someone that can be a top rotation piece bring his strong fastball and change up. Kelley is praised by Sox scouts for his character and how good his pitch delivery and command are for a high school pitcher. Sox fans should be excited for this steal of a Round 1 draft prospect going to the South side here in the second round.

​Round 3: Pick 83 - Adisyn Coffey  RHP  Wabash Valley College  (Illinois)

I like this pick of Adisyn Coffey by the White Sox in Round 3. Shohei Ohtani to Anaheim a few seasons ago has started the trend of two way players, and Adisyn Coffey falls under this category. Coffey is a pitcher that can also play shortstop, third base, and center field making him a good prospect for the White Sox farm system. I like the trend of two way players as it shows you can do a lot in baseball regardless of your position which makes me like this pick for the Chicago White Sox.

​Round 4: Pick 112 - Kade Mechels  RHP  Grand Canyon University

​The White Sox continue to take advantage of a pitching heavy 2020 draft class by selecting Kade Mechels. Mechels is another unexpected pick for the White Sox given he is recovering from Tommy John surgery since last month. Mechels has good pitching tools and as he recovers in the Sox farm system look for Pitching Coach Don Cooper to help develop this prospect after his injury.  

Round 5: Pick 142 - Bailey Horn  LHP  Auburn

The White Sox took all pitchers in this year's draft as they finish off with their last pick in taking another left handed pitcher in Bailey Horn. Horn is another good prospect for Chicago to build in their farm system. The Auburn left hander previously recovered from Tommy John surgery, and scout Mike Shirley likes how well this kid progressed and grew after the injury during his college career. The White Sox make a good pick here to finish off an impressive pitching dominant draft class sure to give them well improved pitching depth in an organization already featuring young arms like Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech.  

Auburn pitcher Bailey Horn selected in the fifth round of the MLB Draft (No. 142 overall) by the Chicago White Sox.

Left-hander who throws in the mid-90s. As Tim Hudson said, "those guys don't grow on trees."

— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) June 12, 2020