White Sox get one confident guy in Hawkins

The White Sox chose an interesting athlete in the first round of Monday night’s first-year player draft.

With the 13th overall pick, the Sox nabbed Courtney Hawkins, a standout outfielder/pitcher who plays for Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Invited to New York City in anticipation of being drafted high, Hawkins did a backflip after the White Sox made the call.

Then, the Sox made another call.

“Mr. (general manager Kenny) Williams said no more backflips,” Hawkins said on a teleconference. “So no more it is.”

The White Sox want the 18-year-old Hawkins to stick with baseball, starting with this weekend’s Texas Class 5A state championship.

After that, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is likely to sign quickly and begin his professional career.

“This is just the beginning,” Hawkins said. “I just started the race, and I’m trying to get to the finish line.”

Hawkins, a right-handed player, is batting .437 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, 56 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 36 games with Carroll this season.

As a pitcher, he is 5-2 with a 0.96 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 36 innings.

Hawkins is going to play outfield for the White Sox, and he is not lacking confidence. When asked to compare himself to a major-league player, he named Matt Kemp and Justin Upton.

“I play as hard as I can, and that’s the way I always play,” Hawkins said. “I see myself as a power guy who can run and hit. Overall, it’s everything. I’m not just one tool.

“I can do it all. I’m excited to go play for the White Sox, get in their system and develop as a better player.”

Hawkins said he weighed 270 pounds when he was an eighth grader. With help from his older brother Tim, who plays quarterback at Texas State University, Hawkins trimmed down and played running back and safety as a high school freshman.

Baseball is his sport of choice, and Hawkins made it pretty clear he’ll pass on his baseball scholarship to Texas and sign with the Sox.

Hawkins played for the West squad in the 2011 Double Duty Classic at U.S. Cellular Field and is anxious to get back to the South Side.

“It’s amazing,” Hawkins said. “Knowing you’re one of the best 13 in the country, it feels pretty good. I am going to work harder than I’ve ever worked.”