Will Farlow Chicago White Sox five round Mock Draft 2.0

By: Will Farlow 

The Chicago White Sox finished the season on an improved note in 2019 in the rebuild with a record of 72-89. The Southsiders saw growth from corner stone pieces like Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez, and starter Lucas Giolito . The White Sox had a busy off season in free agency bringing in players such as LHP Dallas Keuchel , power hitting catcher Yasmani Grandal, a trade for outfielder Nomar Mazara, power hitter Edwin Encarnacion, RHP Gio Gonzalez, and RHP reliever Steve Cishek. The White Sox have a new director of scouting in Mike Shirley as former scouting director Nick Hostetler is now a GM special assistant for major league scouting . Shirley is now given the keys to driving the White Sox into greener pastures of contention with these next five future Sox players to be taken in the first five round MLB Draft. These next five picks are my takes on players that Shirley could select for the White Sox in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Round 1

Round 1: Pick 11

Ed Howard  SS  Mount Carmel High School - Illinois 

GM Rick Hahn instructs his new scouting Director Mike Shirley to take best player available at pick 11 by taking the hometown kid Ed Howard. Howard impressed scouts from his player as a kid for the Jackie Robinson West team to his stellar play for Mount Carmel. Howard brings impressive defensive play and good contact hitting to a White Sox team that already has a long term shortstop in 2019 AL Batting Champ Tim Anderson. Howard provides good depth at the shortstop position and to play with his favorite MLB player with this smart pick in Round 1.  

Round 2

Round 2: Pick 48

​Dax Fulton  LHP  Mustang High School -Oklahoma

The White Sox take a talented high school pitcher here in Round 2 as they select Dax Fulton. Fulton is a good left handed pitcher that brings the comparison of star left hander Clayton Kershaw. The Mustang high school left hander in my opinion can be a possible two way player with his solid hitting ability paired with good 6'6 size and command at the mound. I like this pick for the Southsiders in Round 2.  

Round 3

Round 3: Pick 83  

Ian Seymour  LHP  Virginia Tech

The White Sox take the smart approach here in Round 3 by taking the left hander form Virginia Tech. Many scouts believe Seymour would return to the Hokies for another season but Hahn trusts his gut with this pick as the White Sox need more left handed pitching in the farm system. The six foot left hander brings the command to strike out a lot of batters and someone Don Cooper will look forward to working with in the future. I like this prospect's work ethic as talked about by his coaches and it makes this a good pick for Chicago in Round 3.  

Round 4

Round 4: Pick 112 

​Kaden Palcovich  OF  Oklahoma State  

The White Sox go best player available in Round 4 by taking the switch hitter from Edmond, Oklahoma. Kaden Polcovich is a great pick due to his ability to also play second and shortstop giving him the chance to become a good utility player for the White Sox. Polcovich is a good hitter for average with decent defense. This is a good pick for Chicago as a future player that can be useful in the lineup or off the bench in game situations.

Round 5

Round 5: Pick 142

Levi Prater  LHP  Oklahoma 

The White Sox finish off the draft with another college left hander in Levi Prater. Prater is a good average sized college pitcher as the junior brings many intangibles the Southsiders could use in a pitcher. The Sooner junior is known by scouts as the pitcher that gets strikeouts consistently and barely gives up a run. This is a good pick for a White So team that adds to the need for left handed pitchers in the farm system.