2023 MLB Draft Report: Mock Draft II

With the College World Series underway and the MLB Draft Combine next week, it’s an excellent time to take inventory of who could be on the White Sox board. Our last Mock Draft was back in late March. Since then, both of the picks James Fox and I made for the White Sox look to be off the board with RHP Noble Meyer and C Kyle Teel.

The common assumption is that Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes, Wyatt Langford, Walker Jenkins, and Max Clark will go in the first six picks. Hard to pin down in what order they will be selected, as the Pittsburgh Pirates under Ben Cherington likes to zig when other teams think they will zag.

We expect much more shuffling on the board after the CWS and MLB Draft Combine. For now, here are our best guesses who could be on the board for the White Sox.

Mock Draft II

15) Chicago White Sox

Josh’s Pick: Jacob Gonzalez, Shortstop, Ole Miss

I’m suddenly worried about the Chicago White Sox middle infield situation, both in the present and future. The fact that Colson Montgomery has missed this much time makes it harder to gauge when he will make the majors. Add in the pile of potential middle infielders who can’t take their hitting successes in AAA to the majors, and it’s a hazy future up the middle. I still think Montgomery will be a major leaguer and has a chance to be a good one, but 2023 was to find out if he can press the issue of replacing Tim Anderson sooner than later. Now that’s not the case. 

This middle infield dilemma is why with Jacob Gonzalez on the board, he would be my most preferred option for the White Sox. Gonzalez has smooth footwork defensively that allows him to make accurate throws. His lateral movement might not be on Tim Anderson’s level, but I worry little about his ability to cover the gaps toward second or third base. 

Offensively, Gonzalez is a left-handed hitter that has kept his groundball rate below 38% in three seasons at Ole Miss. Both attributes are pluses in my book as Gonzalez hit .327/.435/.564 with 10 HR and 51 RBI in 2023. At times, Gonzalez demonstrates good plate discipline and is patient in taking his walks. When things get rough, Gonzalez swings at pitcher’s pitches in advantageous counts. Gonzalez must be more selective in identifying which pitches he can drive in professional ball.

James’s Pick: Blake Mitchell, Catcher, Sinton High School (TX)

The White Sox have been tied to bats on the prep and college sides throughout the process. They would take multiple college options here, and Colin Houck doesn't fall further than this. Mitchell has an electric bat from the left side and should stay behind the plate defensively. High school catcher has been a notoriously tricky demographic in the first round, with a low hit rate overall. Mitchell has plenty of bat to shift to the outfield. The White Sox could save a little money with this pick and use the savings for higher bonuses in later rounds.