The MLB draft is always an interesting draft to follow, as there are many considerations that go in to your team’s selection, which make it unique from the NFL, NBA, and NHL drafts. The main difference is the signing bonus/draft allotment for each team. A team may select a player higher than they should be taken due to the fact that they can sign them for less than the typical slot bonus. Teams do this to save money for other players later in the draft, as extra money is needed to convince players to forgo their college commitments.
Last year, the White Sox were able to save funds throughout the first six rounds to sign George Wolkow to a well over slot bonus in the 7th round. This persuaded Wolkow to forgo his college commitment and join the White Sox organization. So far, that looks like a genius idea, as Wolkow is playing out of his mind.
Now, the White Sox have a hefty bonus pool to work with in this draft, so they can go with a few different routes with the fifth pick. Mock drafts have been all over the place for the first few picks, but as of late the White Sox have been linked to Jac Caglianone and top prep prospect Konnor Griffin.
If the White Sox end up with either player at five, that would be a great draft, but Griffin has the potential to be the best pick in the draft.
While there is always risk with any pick in the MLB draft, as there are very few players that are a “perfect prospect,” Griffin may be worth any risk associated with the pick, if there is any.
He is currently ranked as the 9th best prospect by MLB Pipeline, but scouts love his tools. On the 20-80 scale, he is ranked 50/80 for hit, 60/80 power, 65/80 run, 70/80 arm, 60/80 field. These are legitmiate tools to be a 5-tool star in the major leagues. Obviously, prep prospects are a bit more raw than college players, but there is a lot to like. The White Sox would be able to oversee his development in the minor leagues and make any changes they see fit.
The White Sox have a lot of prospects that are nearing their MLB debuts, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stock the farm system with elite younger talent to join George Wolkow and Sammy Zavala, as the talent can come in waves and continually make the White Sox better.
His speed on the bases are legit, as he had 88 stolen bases this past year as a senior. High School seasons are typically 30-40 games, so that is quite impressive, as he was basically stealing two bases a game.
The White Sox could use some young upside in their farm system, as there are a lot of college bats in their system. Despite Griffin being ranked as a consensus top 10-15 prospect, if the White Sox take him at five, they would still be able to save some money on the slot bonus, allowing them to spend more money elsewhere in the draft, potentially securing them another elite prospect.
While there is never a “sure thing” in the MLB draft, Griffin can offer upside that no other player in the draft can and the White Sox could end up with the most talented player in the draft. If he is their choice at five, he likely slots in as another top-100 prospect for the White Sox this season.
