Sox Scoops 43.025: Chicago Takes Outfielder, Then a Gaggle of Pitchers in Draft

[HoosierVic]

By Mike Talley
Black Sox Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
The Chicago Black Sox loaded up on pitching – again – in this year’s amateur draft, although the club broke form and took an outfielder with its first-round pick.

Chicago took Lee Stone, an 18-year-old left fielder from Winona, MN, with its first pick, then took pitchers in each of the subsequent 8 rounds before taking another position player.

Lee Stone

David Pratt

Black Sox scouts like the balance the right-handed Stone brings to his offensive game: they rate his contact potential at 2/7; his gap power at 3/7; his home run power at 4/7; his batting eye at 3/6; and his ability to avoid strikeouts at 3/7. Overall, they rate his talent at 20/50.

“He won’t likely set records, but could become a solid contact hitter,” his scouting summary says. “He has significant upside once he tops his raw power potential. He projects to be a patient hitter with good discipline.”

Frank H. Pabodie, Black Sox director of scouting, said the club felt it needed to inject some hitting talent into its lower minor leagues, which has become pitching heavy in recent years.

“We think Lee has the potential to develop into a fine hitter, although we recognize he has a way to go – and also needs to work on his defense,” Pabodie said. “Our coaches are eager to start working with him.”

In the second round, Chicago returned to form in selecting pitcher David Pratt, 18, of Washington, D.C.

Although Pratt pitched as a starter in high school, the Sox plan on grooming him as a bullpen arm. As a starter, the scouts rate him as 20/40 overall, but as 20/55 as a reliever. His pitches hit between 94 and 96 mph on the radar gun, and scouts classify him as a groundball pitcher.

Pratt’s stuff rates as 4/8 in the bullpen, his pitch movement as 4/7, and his control as 2/4. His fastball rates as 7/9 and his sinker as 6/8, while his changeup is an unimpressive 1/2.

“His pitches have plenty of movement that should help to keep the ball in the park,” says his scouting summary. “Pratt has the talent to flourish in a key bullpen role.”

Pabodie said the team was fortunate to get Pratt in the second round.

“To tell you the truth, we were surprised he was still available – but gratified. We think David will be an outstanding addition to our group of young pitching prospects.”

The rest of the team’s top five picks included:

• Round 3: Rob Winters, 18, McKees Rocks, PA, another pitcher who started in high school but likely will head for the bullpen in Chicago’s system. Scouts rate him as 20/45 overall, and peg his Stuff at 5/6; his movement at 4/7; and his control at 3/4. The young groundball pitcher throw a 6/8 sinker; a 7/8 cutter; and a 1/1 changeup.

• Round 4: Alan Smith, 18, of Shawnee, KS. Another borderline SP who projects to have more success in the bullpen: 20/45 overall as a reliever with 4/8 stuff; 3/6 movement; and 2/3 control. His fastball rates as 6/8; his curve at 6/10; and his change at 1/1.

• Round 5: Jeff Bell, 18, of Aubrey,TX. The Sox chose Bell for one reason only: the movement he gets on his pitches, which they assess at 4/7. His stuff and control are both mediocre, at best (3/4 and 2/4, respectively), and his overall rating is a fairly lousy 20/25. “At this point in the draft, though, we thought it was worth gambling on a kid who has one excellent quality and hope that we can help elevate other aspects of his game, too,” said Pabodie. “If not, well, we can afford a fifth-round pick on a bit of a flyer.”