White Sox Mock Draft Roundup: The Draft Day survey

10:01 AM CDT on June 10, 2020

BATON ROUGE, LA – APRIL 13: Tennessee Volunteers pitcher Garrett Crochet (34) throws a pitch during a game between the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 13, 2018. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire)

Happy Draft Day, everybody! And what is Draft Day but the birth of hundreds of new MLB careers? Therefore, Happy Birthday, everybody!

While Josh tied Louisville lefty Reid Detmers to the White Sox in the mock draft he posted Tuesday evening, he did mention that Tennessee lefty Garrett Crochet was the subject of late momentum and the next choice if Detmers weren't available.

As we survey the mock drafts posted today, it appears as though Crochet is indeed that popular, as he's taken over as the consensus pick.

NC State catcher Patrick Bailey had been the universal favorite for the White Sox before this week based mostly on the team's college-heavy history and lack of true catchers. There was room to usurp him with just a little bit more conviction, and most no longer consider Bailey a factor, which comes as a relief to catcher skeptics.

MLB.com (June 10)

White Sox select: Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennesssee
Previous mock: Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State

After alternating mock drafts each week, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo convene in the Draft Day joint mock, and both analysts settle on the same name for the White Sox. As for the catchers, Bailey isn't a factor, but they disagree on whether Tyler Soderstrom could happen.

Callis' take: "Unless Detmers gets here, the White Sox appear to be choosing between Crochet and California prep catcher Tyler Soderstrom, with UCLA outfielder Garrett Mitchell and Abel also possibilities."

Mayo's take: "Talk of the White Sox being in on North Carolina State catcher Patrick Bailey has subsided, as has chatter of high school backstop Tyler Soderstrom."

ESPN.com (June 10)

White Sox select: Crochet
Previous mock: Bailey

Another switch from to the Tennessee lefty from Bailey, while Bailey goes two picks later to the San Francisco Giants despite them having Joey Bart. Of the consensus top-10 picks, the only one that falls in the White Sox's range is Arkansas outfielder Keston Hjerstad.

Kiley McDaniel's take: "This one crystallized Tuesday as well; remember the White Sox's path with picking Chris Sale (i.e. quick to the majors in the pen, possibly transitioning into the rotation in 2021)? That could happen here, and Crochet has a similar low-slot slinging, aggressive approach on the mound."

Keith Law (June 10)

White Sox select: Crochet
Previous mock: Reid Detmers, LHP, Louisville

With his previous pick off the board to San Diego at No. 8, Law also has the White Sox going with Crochet, with Kjerstad also getting squeezed out of the top 10 (San Francisco at No. 13).

Law's take: "I’ve heard them with Crochet, [Tyler] Soderstrom and [Garrett] Mitchell; I think it’s the high-water mark for Crochet or Mitchell, and right in Soderstrom’s range."

Baseball America (June 10)

White Sox select: Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS, Portland, Ore.
Previous mock: Abel

Baseball America switched off Bailey on Monday, going with the prep righty Abel despite the availability of Louisville lefty Detmers. Ed Howard is linked to the Dodgers at No. 29, giving me Gavin Lux flashbacks all over again.

Carlos Collazo's take: "This pick is tricky. Chicago has been connected to Tennessee LHP Garrett Crochet, Detmers and North Carolina State catcher Patrick Bailey—the typical collegiate suspects for the White Sox. However the noise with Mick Abel has been significant enough that we think it’s legit and with a new scouting director in Chicago there’s no guarantee the team continues to heavily target college players. Still, it’s worth noting that Mike Shirley has been with the club in a high-level role going back to 2010."