For Sox, high school class ‘stronger’ in draft
The White Sox feel they got a pair of future stars when the selected high school players Courtney Hawkins (No. 13 overall) and Keon Barnum (No. 48) in Monday’s first-year player draft.
The Sox mixed in college players with more high schoolers Tuesday as they made 14 more picks.
“We were certainly as excited as we could possibly be with the two picks we got (Monday),” said Doug Laumann, the White Sox’ amateur scouting director. “We tried to play the board the best way we could.
“We got a lot of middle infielders, and we got a lot of young kids. I didn’t think the college crop was real good this year. This year we thought the high school class was stronger.”
The White Sox drafted six high school players with their first 16 picks, but they tabbed Georgia Southern right-handed pitcher Chris Beck on the second round and Arizona State second baseman Joey DeMichele on the third round.
Beck was 6-7 with a 3.91 ERA for GSU this season after going 9-5 with a 3.23 ERA as a sophomore.
“We had him projected as potentially a first-rounder and possible pick at 13 for us,” Laumann said of Beck. “He did not have a good year. He had a great Cape (Cod League) last summer.”
Laumann said Beck’s college coaches wanted him to get stronger, so he gained 35 pounds from last July to March. “He just got so big, so strong, so bulky that it inhibited his delivery,” Laumann said.
DeMichele batted .336 for Arizona State this season and had 7 triples and 12 stolen bases.
“We felt like this was a really, really solid baseball player,” Laumann said. “This is a guy that’s polished, a guy that’s played at a high level and been successful at a great program.”
Danks update:
John Danks said he will throw one more side session Wednesday before making a rehab start in the minor leagues.
The White Sox’ left-hander has been on the disabled list since May 20 with a strained muscle in the back of his throwing shoulder.
Danks could pitch for Class AAA Charlotte or possibly AA Birmingham this weekend.
“It’s been long enough now that I need to get out there and get in a game,” Danks said. “Hopefully everything goes well (Wednesday) and it will be soon after that. I’ve got to wait for the official word.”
Staying put:
Until John Danks returns, Jose Quintana will remain in the Sox’ rotation. Quintana (1-0, 1.69) starts against the Blue Jays on Wednesday night.
“If John comes back then (Quintana’s) probably the one to go down,” manager Robin Ventura said. “But it’s good giving him an opportunity to pitch and show what he’s got. It’s not like he’s going to go to another organization. He’s going to say with us, and we’re excited to have him.”
Ventura said there is no chance Quintana pitches out of the White Sox’ bullpen when Danks comes off the DL.
“I’d rather have him as a starter in case something else happens,” Ventura said. “You never know what’s going to happen with everybody we’ve got. So keep him stretched out as a starter.”