Shooting low, twice in a row
With the 68th pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the White Sox used their Competitive Balance Round B selection on left-handed starting pitcher Blake Larson of IMG Academy (Fla.).
Of course, we don’t know and can’t project ANY of these picks, certainly not preps who aren’t even yet fully grown. But when the immediate reaction on the MLB broadcast, among positive, encouraging words, is that this pick of Larson indicates that the White Sox “are taking a long-term view of the rebuild,” well, it’s hard to get too excited.
But there’s a lot to like here, from Larson’s pedigree (IMG) to his commit to a major program like TCU. At 6´2´´with a low-90s fastball now, it is exciting to think of where this arm could end up, soon. And yet, at No. 68, for better or worse, is this just another Christian Oppor (lower pick, 2023)? The White Sox grabbed the No. 71 MLB Pipeline talent at No. 43 and now the No. 104 MLB Pipeline talent at No. 68.
If this was the Rays front office, or Baltimore, or L.A., or maybe anyone else in baseball, perhaps we should have faith when the team zags instead of zigs. The White Sox? Hmm.
The panel at MLB indicated Larson will get a lot stronger, which makes his three-quarter arm slot delivery potentially very dangerous.
Beyond that, what are the White Sox doing?
