Mitchell fits Sox' leadoff needs
When talking about finding a classic leadoff hitter a few days before SoxFest, general manger Kenny Williams said it's probably best to look for one in the draft.
That's exactly what the White Sox did on Tuesday, selecting Louisiana State outfielder Jared Mitchell with their first-round pick (No. 23 overall).
"I've seen a lot of their game and I think they have a good lineup," Mitchell said. "I think I'm a really good fit for their ballclub."
Mitchell, a 20-year-old junior, is batting .325 with 12 doubles, 4 triples, 9 home runs, 43 RBI and 35 stolen bases. The 6-foot, 200-pounder also leads LSU with 52 walks and a .471 on-base percentage.
"One of the things we were trying to accomplish in this draft was to try and find a high-ceiling, athletic-type of player," said Sox amateur scouting director Doug Laumann. "We certainly weren't going to sacrifice the ability of some guy just to get that, but as it turned out, he was the one guy we felt like was the best player on the board and at the same time fit exactly what it was we were looking for."
Mitchell also played football at LSU from 2006-08, combining for 24 receptions and 274 yards as a wide receiver.
Baseball is his main game, and Mitchell said he's ready to get his professional career started.
"I really want to play baseball," said Mitchell, who likened his style of play lf to Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford. "I think my speed is going to help a lot. I think it's really hard to go into slumps when you have speed."
The White Sox had three more picks Tuesday. At No. 38 overall, they selected Indiana University catcher Josh Phegley. At No. 61 overall, they selected outfielder Trayce Thompson from Santa Margarita (Calif.) H.S. He is the son of former NBA star Mychal Thompson.
At No. 71 overall, the Sox picked left-handed pitcher David Holmberg from Port Charlotte (Fla). H.S.
Poreda gets the call: Prior to Tuesday's game, the White Sox purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Aaron Poreda from Class AA Birmingham.
To clear a roster spot, starting pitcher Bartolo Colon was placed on the disabled list with a sore left knee.
A starter at Class AA Birmingham, where he was 5-4 with a 2.38 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 641/3 innings, Poreda will pitch out of the Sox' bullpen for now.
"I don't think it's going to be a big transition," said Poreda, the White Sox' first-round draft pick in 2007. "I've always come out of the bullpen a little bit in high school, college and when I went to the (Arizona) Fall League, I came out of the bullpen. So I know how to get ready. I know it's different. You don't have much time as you do as a starter, But I'm excited to have the opportunity."
Colon (3-6, 4.23 ERA) allowed 11 runs (7 earned) over 10 1/3 innings in his last two starts.
"He feels a little bit uncomfortable there," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Don't try to put him in the situation where he's got to come here every day and work on it and try to deal with it. Make sure when he comes back he comes back strong."