Sox grab Georgia shortstop in draft
There were more than a few snickers in 1997 when the White Sox drafted shortstop Jason Dellaero in the first round of the amateur draft.
While he had a solid collegiate career at South Florida, Dellaero clearly looked like a project. Nonetheless, former amateur scouting director Duane Shaffer compared Dellaero to Cal Ripken Jr.
Dellaero never hit at any level and ultimately was converted to a pitcher before being released by the Sox.
More Coverage Video The scouting report Links " class="mediaItem">Beckham's bio
Welcome to the organization, Gordon Beckham.
With the No. 8 overall pick in Thursday's draft, the White Sox selected Beckham, a 21-year-old shortstop from the University of Georgia.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, a shortstop himself, was in the draft room when Beckham was picked.
"I was in there so I can see how things work,'' Guillen said. "How they do it is kind of fun and a great experience. I never thought they would be that excited to pick this kid, but hopefully we can sign him because they have big expectations. He's going to play in a position that dictates a lot in baseball.''
After watching videotape of Beckham, Guillen made his own comparison.
"A lot of people say he looks like Derek Jeter, but the tapes I saw he looks like (Michael) Young from Texas, who is a pretty good shortstop,'' Guillen said. "The only thing I can say is a lot of guys in the room were excited to get this kid.''
Beckham is batting .397 with 19 doubles, 24 home runs, 65 RBI and 17 stolen bases this season with the Bulldogs.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder leads Georgia (39-22-1) into the NCAA super regional that begins today against North Carolina State (41-20). The winner of the best-of-three series will play in the College World Series next week.
"I'm extremely excited to be selected by the White Sox,'' Beckham said. "It's a great organization, and I feel they made the right choice. I can't wait to get started with my professional career.''
The White Sox apparently were prepared to draft Kyle Skipworth, a high school catcher from California, with their first pick.
The Sox didn't think Beckham would be available, but when the Florida Marlins selected Skipworth at No. 6, Beckham dropped down.
"With his overall ability to play the game, and his intangibles with that grinder sort of makeup, we feel like we got a quality person and player,'' said Doug Laumann, the White Sox' director of amateur scouting. "We feel confident he can play shortstop. If it's not shortstop, then he can move in either direction to second or third.''
In the sixth round, the Sox drafted Wichita State outfielder Kenny Williams Jr., the son of GM Kenny Williams.
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today, Sunday and Monday; Channel 9 Saturday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Javier Vazquez (5-4) vs. Nick Blackburn (4-3) today at 7:11 p.m.; Mark Buehrle (2-6) vs. Livan Hernandez (6-2) Saturday at 6:05 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (6-30 vs. Kevin Slowey (2-5) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.; John Danks (4-4) vs. Glen Perkins (2-2) Monday at 1:05 p.m.
At a glance: After sweeping a three-game series from the Royals, who are in last place in the AL Central, the first-place White Sox and second-place Twins square off. The Sox are 3-4 against the Twins this season. They each won a game at the Cell in early April. The April 10 game that was rained out will be made up Monday. The Twins are 18-9 vs. the AL Central; the White Sox are 17-8.
Next: Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Tuesday-Thursday