Top draft pick Andrew Vaughn drops in on Chicago White Sox

Andrew Vaughn was just visiting the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

If the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft keeps swinging the bat like he did in his first professional season, Vaughn is going to be joining the Sox for good in the not too distant future.

"We know that Andrew is an advanced player," said Chris Getz, the White Sox's director of player development. "We knew that going in, and he's showed that so far. Really, it's about having a great off-season preparing for next year, and who knows how it will finish?"

Drafted on the first round by the Sox after batting .381 with 14 doubles, 15 home runs, 50 RBI and a .544 on-base percentage in 52 collegiate games with California, Vaughn played at three minor-league levels before calling it a season.

"It definitely taught me how to be a professional," he said. "It's every day and different than being in college, playing on the weekends. Getting to experience that in Kannapolis and Winston-Salem was truly awesome, and I didn't have to go to school after that, so it was kind of a nice feeling."

In 55 games with the AZL White Sox, low Class A Kannapolis and high A Winston-Salem, Vaughn hit .278/384/.449 with 6 home runs and 36 RBI. The first baseman struck out only 38 times in 245 plate appearances.

"It's like you are facing a Friday (college pitcher) in every game," Vaughn said of his early pro experience. "The velocity is harder. Guys out of the bullpen are definitely flamethrowers nowadays, they are 95-98 (mph). You will see some good stuff every game."

Getz already sees a lot of good in Vaughn, on and off the field.

"For one, he was an excellent teammate," Getz said. "Great attitude, that really stood out. He's a guy that our scouts were excited about going into the year. And then to be able to get him where we got him, we felt really good about.

"When you acquire a guy, any player for that matter, their first half season is about getting acclimated to the organization, professional baseball, playing every day, meeting people from all over the world, from Latin American countries, things like that. So he blended in very well, and he went out there and performed."

Vaughn is seemingly undersized at 6-feet, 215 pounds, but Getz said don't be fooled.

"If you really break down his swing, it's a very strong base," Vaughn said. "He's got good rhythm, there's athleticism in there. It's a very controlled, athletic swing made for a player to make good decisions at the plate and drive the baseball when he makes contact."