Chicago White Sox Draft: Three targets for 11th overall pick

The Chicago White Sox hold the 11th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. Here are three guys they should target in the first round.

While the future looks brighter than the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft may suggest, the Chicago White Sox will hold the 11th overall pick. Last year, the south siders selected the top first baseman in the class in Andrew Vaughn and followed that with three straight high school prospects.

As sights set on who the general manager Rick Hahn may select, there will be a plethora of talent available to him just outside the top ten. Let’s look at three players to consider with the first-round pick:

Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State

Widely considered to be the best college catcher in this draft, Bailey was originally selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 37th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He chose to play collegiate baseball and hoped his draft stock would improve. Well, as it turns out, he was right, as he’s virtually a lock to go in the first round.

He posted remarkable numbers as a true freshman; .321/.419/.604 line with 13 home runs and 40 RBI with nearly a 1:1 BB/K ratio. Bailey participated in the Cape Cod League during the summer of 2018 and hit .235 in an eight-game sample size.

Back on campus for his sophomore year, he put up a .903 OPS in 60 games to go along with 17 doubles, ten home runs, and 43 RBI and, again, a 1:1 BB.K ratio. As a switch-hitter, he has fantastic discipline at the plate, and scouts love his abilities behind the plate as well.

Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee

Ranked as one of the best college pitchers in the class, Crochet got better each year for the Volunteers. He was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but never signed. As a true freshman, he posted modest numbers with 17 appearances – including six starts – while displaying terrific command. He posted a 5.51 ERA but struck out 62 batters in 63.2 innings of work while allowing just 26 walks.

As a sophomore, he served in a similar role making 18 appearances – including six starts – and collected three saves as well. He posted a 4.02 ERA but struck out 81 batters in 65.0 innings (11.2 K/9). Crochet was set to transition to the rotation this year prior to the shutdown.

He made just one start but struck out six batters in 3.1 innings of work. His fastball touches 99 MPH and consistently sits in the mid-90s. Crochet complements his primary pitch with an above-average slider and changeup. He’ll likely need to develop another pitch to stick in a rotation. If not, he could be a deadly bullpen arm.

Tanner Burns, RHP, Auburn

Ranked as the 26th best prospect in the class by Baseball America, Burns is going to be a name White Sox will want to remember. If Hahn reaches for him with the 11th overall pick, it will be for a good reason. He was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 2017 MLB Draft but ultimately chose to go with his verbal commitment to Auburn.

Burns was a starting pitcher from day one on campus, making 17 starts as a true freshman and posting a 3.01 ERA. He struck out 77 batters in 86.2 innings while limiting opponents to a .225 average. He followed that with 16 appearances – including 15 starts – while striking out 101 batters in 79.2 innings (11.4 K/9).

More importantly, he displayed terrific command, walking just 23 batters over that timeframe (2.6 BB/9) and limited opponents to a .218 average. Burns was off to a great start this year, posting a 2.42 ERA in four starts with 32 starts in 22.1 innings. He’s going to be one of the most underrated starting pitchers in the first round.