Sox Scoops 41.080 "Sox Sign Top Draft Picks"

[HoosierVic]

By Mike Talley
Black Sox Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online

The Chicago Black Sox announced they have signed nine of their top 10 picks from the recent amateur draft, including their top pick, SP John McClain, and their second round pick, 3B Ken Wear.

Talks have broken off with the team’s third round selection, closer Dave “Big Train” Lovell, an 18-year-old Canadian who turned down a $1.5 million bonus in favor of going to college. He told Sox representatives that he may enter the draft next year.

“We wish him all the luck in the world with his education, and hope he picks a good major,” said Sox Asst. General Manager Bill McGuffin. “Whatever that major that ends up being, he’ll likely need it to earn a living – ‘cause baseball sure ain’t gonna be it.”

Analysts said McGuffin’s comments likely represented more sour grapes than any kind of serious prediction of Lovell’s prospects.

“He’s nothing special, but given the state of pitching in the BBA at this point, a kid with 45 potential likely has a shot somewhere,” said Casey Klingman, who follows the Frick Heartland Division for the Brewster On Tap newsletter.

Regardless of missing out on Lovell, the team pronounced itself pleased that negotiations went smoothly with McClain, who signed for a $3.5 million bonus. More surprising was the quick agreement with Wear, who pundits had judged an “impossible” signing for Chicago.

“I guess $5 million of (Sox owner) Vinnie Vitale’s cash opened the kid’s eyes to the possible,” said Klingman. “It’s unusual for a team to spend more on their second-round pick than their first-round, and you wonder how that will play in the Clubhouse, but whatever. They got their guys, regardless.”

McGuffin said the team realized the calculus of signing those picks might be unusual, but the team’s coaches and scouts like Wear’s combination of power and plate discipline potential.

“He fits the Sox Blueprint™ perfectly, so we wanted to sign him. Simple as that,” McGuffin said.

Although the team signed the vast majority of its top picks, McGuffin said it has elected not to tender offers to three lower round picks who have signaled they’re not interested in easy negotiations.

Those players are: 11th round catcher Samson Chiwocha; 14th round SP Armando Berthier; and 19th round SS Ivan Alvarado.

“If they want to advertise they’re ‘impossible,’ the fine,” McGuffin said. “It’s one thing to go over and beyond for a kid in your first or second round, but something else again for someone near the bottom of the draft. No thanks.”

Here is a look at Chicago’s top picks, and where they’re starting their careers:

1st Round: John McClain, SP, Monclova

Stuff	Mvt	Ctl	Sinker	Slider	Change	Overall	Pot.
3/5	6/9	3/4	6/8	5/9	4/8	20	55

2nd Round: Ken Wear, 3B, Monclova

Cont	Gap	Pwr	Eye	Avd K	Field	Overall	Pot.
2/5	3/7	4/6	3/7	3/6	2	20	45

4th Round: Ike Kocher, RP, Monclova

Stuff	Mvt	Ctl	Fastball	Slider	Overall	Pot.
3/4	5/8	3/4	7/8	6/8	20	35

5th Round: Luis Jiménez, CF, Monclova

Cont	Gap	Pwr	Eye	Avd K	Field	Overall	Pot.
3/3	4/4	2/3	3/6	3/4	9	20	40

6th Round: Pete Sanchez, C, San Pedro de Macoris

Cont	Gap	Pwr	Eye	Avd K	Field	Overall	Pot.
4/4	5/5	5/5	6/7	4/4	5	20	40

7th Round: Felipe Hernández, SS, Monclova

Cont	Gap	Pwr	Eye	Avd K	Field	Overall	Pot.
2/3	2/4	3/3	3/6	2/4	5	20	40

8th Round: Mashashi Ikeda, 2B, San Pedro de Macoris

Cont	Gap	Pwr	Eye	Avd K	Field	Overall	Pot.
4/4	4/4	1/1	5/5	5/5	8	20	35

9th Round: Kenkichi 'Who' Sugiyama, RP, Monclova

Stuff	Mvt	Ctl	Cutter	Curve	Overall	Pot.
3/5	4/6	2/4	5/6	7/9	20	35

10th Round: Juan 'Dozer' Martínez , SP, Monclova

Stuff	Mvt	Ctl	Cutter	Curve	Change	Overall	Pot.
3/4	3/6	3/4	6/8	5/7	4/4	20	30