The MLB Draft kicked off last night and the Southsiders have made a few solid selections so far. Nick Madrigal was selected with the 4th overall pick. He was regarded as the best hitter in the draft and we should be thrilled they took him. For more on Madrigal check this out from the Sports Mockery gang.
The White Sox followed up their first-round selection with just an all-time baseball name. Steele Walker, an outfielder from the University of Oklahoma, was selected with the 46th overall pick.
With the 46th pick in the 2018 #MLBDraft, the #WhiteSox select OF Steele Walker from Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/Epluo2uBTN
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 5, 2018
Name aside, this is a good selection. Walker was the 30th ranked draft prospect by MLB.com. He has as solid a track record as any. His sophomore year at Oklahoma he slashed .333/.413/.541 with 8 Home Runs and 51 runs driven in. He followed that up with what has been an even more impressive junior season where he slashed .352/.441/.606. His power numbers saw a nice jump as well. He hit 13 round trippers this past season.
Including this mammoth shot.
Steele Walker hits BOMBS pic.twitter.com/aVOs7d5Toc
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) June 5, 2018
He’s split time between center and right field in 2018 but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him land in left field. His bat will play at all levels and he has a proven track record with wooden bats. He led the Northwest Woods League with a .406 average in the summer of 2016. His experience and success with wood bats could likely shorten his adjustment period to pro ball.
The White Sox drafted Konnor Pilkington, LHP from Mississippi State with the 81st overall pick.
With the 81st pick of the 2018 #MLBDraft, the @WhiteSox select @HailStateBB LHP Konnor Pilkington: https://t.co/I4XB50hdHx pic.twitter.com/LLkqhpJVhr
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 5, 2018
I’m digging the White Sox draft strategy this year of college players with solid track records. Pilkington is no exception. He’s been Mississipi States #1 starter since his sophomore year. Konnor hasn’t had the best statistical season posting a 4.62 ERA in 16 starts, leading to his slide in the draft.
Pilkington is a three-pitch pitcher. He throws a fastball, changeup and has a slider that he mixes in as well. He’s seen his fastball velocity dip slightly as well. I’d attribute that to a lack of conditioning more than anything. He has touched 96 mph on the gun which may lead one to think the bullpen is in his future but he’ll stick as a starter. His command and three-pitch mix will allow him to eat innings and hopefully settle in somewhere in the middle of a rotation. It’s also worth mentioning that he will not turn 21 until September.
Pilkington also adds LHP depth to the White Sox Farm System. For as talented as the system is, this was the one area where they were a bit thin. He’s still pitching for Mississippi State as yesterday they eliminated his future teammate, Steele Walker, and his University of Oklahoma Sooners. This will delay him signing with the team and joining any affiliate but you won’t hear me complain about watching this kid compete on the biggest stage in college baseball.
