Chicago White Sox's draft class can get to work
The Chicago White Sox don't necessarily enjoy rolling the dice on trade acquisitions like James Shields.
They'd really rather not have to keep signing washed-up players like Mat Latos and Jimmy Rollins.
In reality, the Sox have to constantly go outside for help because the farm system is not producing major-league talent.
Some prospects have been traded for established veterans under the Kenny Williams/Rick Hahn regime, which dates to 2000.
Some prospects, namely Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon, were drafted in the first round and made quick ascents to U.S. Cellular Field.
Most prospects never panned out, and that's why this year's amateur draft was so important for the White Sox.
As Tim Anderson has shown since arriving from Class AAA Charlotte on June 10, there's nothing more satisfying than getting a homegrown spark.
Unfortunately, Anderson looks like the only prospect capable of making an impact for the Sox this season.
Carson Fulmer came in as a definite maybe, but last year's No. 8 overall draft pick is still trying to find it at Class AA Birmingham, where he is 3-8 with a 5.82 ERA in 14 starts. The right-hander has walked 42 in 68 innings.
It's way too early to deem Fulmer a failure, but with three picks in the Top 50 this year, the White Sox needed to draft well under new director of amateur scouting Nick Hostetler and stock up the system.
Time will tell if Hostetler and his staff were successful, but their top-end haul already is drawing rave reviews from amateur evaluators.
Let's start with top pick (No. 10 overall) Zach Collins, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound catcher from the University of Miami.
According to MLB.com guru Jonathan Mayo, Collins agreed to a $3,380,600 bonus and signed with the Sox on Tuesday, a day after the Hurricanes were bounced from the College World Series.
Collins likely starts his pro career at low Class A Kannapolis or high Class A Winston-Salem, but he appears to be on a fast track after batting .363 while leading Miami with 16 home runs and 59 RBI.
And, yes, the White Sox view Collins as a catcher.
"No question in my mind, he's going to be a catcher," Hostetler said.
Local product Zack Burdi, a closer from Louisville and the No. 26 overall pick, could be in the Sox's banged-up bullpen later this season.
Having already lost Jake Petricka (hip) and Daniel Webb (elbow) to season-ending surgeries, the White Sox placed Zach Putnam on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with ulnar neuritis in his right elbow.
Burdi, a Downers Grove native, signed with the White Sox on Saturday after going 1-3 with a 3.30 ERA while striking out 47 in 30 innings for the Cardinals this year.
Alec Hansen, a 6-foot-8 starter from Oklahoma and No. 49 overall draft pick, also signed Saturday and was ranked as the No. 34 best draft prospect by ESPN's Keith Law.
Add in college outfielders Alex Call (Ball State) and Jameson Fisher (Southeastern Louisiana), who were the Sox's third- and fourth-round draft picks, and the farm system instantly looks a whole lot better.
Call and Fisher both are off to solid starts at Advanced Rookie Great Falls.
"To be honest with you, we feel we got impact all the way down, really through the 12th or 13th or 14th round," Hostetler said. "Even the 15th round, Jake Elliott from Oklahoma, the same school as Alec Hansen, we saw big-time stuff out of him. We saw 95, 96 (mph) out of him.
"I do feel like there's some impact there throughout the draft. It's definitely easy when you see Zack Collins hitting home runs and Zack Burdi throwing 102 (mph). There is some pretty big impact with those guys up top."