Last week’s Winter Meetings represented a potentially transformational moment for the White Sox as an organization. The team won the MLB draft lottery, securing the no. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1977 when they took future Hall of Famer Harold Baines with the top selection. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky headlines a loaded 2026 class for the time being, but the White Sox will have their preferred pick of the crop next July.
While Cholowsky is the current crown jewel in the class, the White Sox will also possess one of the largest bonus pools in the draft and the second pick in the second round, giving them the flexibility to add additional high-end talent beyond their no. 1 overall pick. Jim Callis, a senior writer for MLB Pipeline, recently published an early mock draft that has the White Sox selecting high school infielder Landon Thome, the son of Jim Thome, with the 41st overall pick.
Thome's Player Profile
Thome, 18, currently attends Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park and batted .442 with a team-best six homers and 46 runs along with 25 RBIs, a 1.412 OPS, and 23 stolen bases last season. Ranked as the No. 42 overall prospect on MLB.com’s 2026 draft board and No. 2 player in the state of Illinois, Thome was initially committed to the University of Tennessee before recently switching his commitment to Florida State.
A left-handed hitter listed at 6’0”, 185 pounds, Thome has earned praise from scouts for his advanced bat-to-ball skills and strong pitch recognition. He is considered one of the most polished high school hitters in the class, with improving strength, bat speed, and baseball IQ as other focal points of his game. A shortstop at the high school level, his long-term defensive home remains a question. Second base, third base, or left field could be potential spots for Thome in the field as he continues to mature and move up the ranks.
White Sox Connections
Thome has obvious connections to the White Sox. His dad, Jim, played parts of four seasons for the team in the late 2000s and currently serves as a special assistant to White Sox General Manager Chris Getz. The team has also drafted several local high school talents in recent years, including Noah Schultz (Oswego), George Wolkow (Downers Grove), and Jaden Fauske, Thome’s former teammate at Nazareth, with the no. 44 pick in the 2025 draft. The White Sox have as much familiarity with the younger Thome as anyone, so it’s not a surprise to see him mocked to the team early in the draft process.
Name To Watch
A lot can change between now and next July. It’s possible Thome’s stock could fluctuate in either direction, and he could honor his commitment to Florida State instead of opting to enter professional baseball directly out of high school. Other players could also potentially pique the organization’s interest as time goes on. In any case, the connection between Landon Thome and the White Sox organization is undeniable. He will be a name to keep an eye on in the early rounds as the team prepares for its most important draft in recent memory.
