Despite picking 10th overall, the White Sox had a great first day of the draft, as they selected two prep hitters and one college bat, all of which have a ton of upside.
Now, the draft continues with the reverse order of standings, so the White Sox will have the first pick in each round, just like they did in rounds two and three. However on day two there is just one compensatory pick left, so there will be less picks in-between rounds.
Because the White Sox have the first pick today when the draft picks resumes, they have a huge advantage. This allows GM Chris Getz to figure out how much money it may take to convince a player to sign with the team instead of having them return or start their college careers.
This is an advantage for the White Sox as there are few players left on the board that could have easily gone in the first round, but with potential signability concerns or other factors, they are still on the board.
One of the biggest names still on the board is Jack Bauer. Bauer is a lefty pitcher from Lincoln Way East High School and is committed to play at Mississippi State this fall. MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the 44th best player in the draft, so the White Sox selecting him at 106th overall would be a steal.
Premium Fuel ⛽️
— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) April 1, 2025
2025 LHP Jack Bauer came out pumping this afternoon in sunny 70 degree weather.
FB: 97-101x6, T102 ‼️‼️‼️
SL: 81-84; Sharp, 2900+ RPM
CH: 85-88
Extremely loose and athletic delivery.#PBAAG23 alum and @UVABaseball commit. @PrepBaseballIL @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/T2Lxdq8a19
Perhaps Getz had conversations with Bauer’s camp last night and into this morning, seeing what it would take to pry him away from his college commitment. Since he’s a local kid, this would make a ton of sense, as the White Sox went significantly overslot for local product George Wolkow in the 7th round two drafts ago.
If Getz does draft Bauer, he would leave the first four rounds one of the biggest winners in the draft. However if they do go another route, there are a few other players still on the board that could significantly boost the farm system.
Oregon outfielder Mason Neville is ranked 35th on MLB Pipeline and he could be exactly what the White Sox could use in their farm system, as they desperately need outfield bats.
Happy Mason Neville Draft Day to all those that celebrate 🦆
— Barstool Ducks (@BarstoolDucks) July 13, 2025
pic.twitter.com/nJoARN7iU4
There are also four prep players all ranked within the top-60 on MLB Pipeline, including another Illinois high school pitcher, Cameron Appenzeller, from Glenwood.
Cameron Appenzeller, 18.5 y/m, Prep, LHP
— Danny (@dannybarrand_) July 13, 2025
Appenzeller is a prep pitcher rooted in pitchability. He’s got an easy delivery from the left side that he repeats consistently at a lanky 6’5”. It’s a really frail build that makes you wonder about projection and added velocity.… pic.twitter.com/7M86CRJW2p
No matter which route Chris Getz takes with the first pick after the draft resumes today, he had an advantage to likely make calls with the camps of players still on the board to figure out what kind of bonus it would take for them to sign, subsequently taking them with the first pick today.
Since there is only a specific allotted amount of money for the draft, Getz needs to balance getting high-end talent with being able to fill out the rest of his draft class, and having the first pack in today’s round gave him an advantage to do that, as nobody can take the player he wants.
