Over the last week here on Sox Machine, we've been looking at the various prospects currently matriculating their way through the system. Far be it from me to buck that trend, so today's Sporcle Saturday will be riffing on that theme; specifically: since the MLB June amateur draft was instituted in 1965, who among White Sox draftees have made it to the big leagues for Chicago AND been worth at least 5 wins above replacement during their career? In total, that gives us 39 players: how many can you name? Good luck!
Quiz Parameters
- To qualify, a player must have 1) been drafted by the Sox AND signed with them; 2) reached the majors with Chicago (so players like Gio Gonzalez don't make the cut), and; 3) accumulated at least 5 bWAR or greater during their career, though not necessarily all with the Sox.
- I've allotted 15 minutes for completion attempts.
- For hints, I've provided the year and round the player in question was drafted, as well as the accumulated value and primary position(s).
Useless information to amaze, annoy, confuse, and/or confound your friends and family:
- While some of the recent drafts have been disappointing (looking at you, 2012), the 1984 draft was particularly barren: just 3 players the Sox drafted that year made it to the majors, for an accumulated value of -3.3 WAR.
- Several players the Sox drafted who didn't sign with Chicago, but would achieve success later on with a different team: Eric Gagne (30th rd., 1994), Placido Polanco (49th rd., 1993), Mike Lowell (48th rd., 1992), Jimmy Key (10th rd., 1979), Willie McGee (7th rd., 1976).
- Looking at first round draft picks only, 46/70 have reached the majors, which is a 63% success rate. The league average is 61.8%, so there's that, at least.
All data from baseballreference.com
