Y2Jimmy0

One key point in all of this is the expanded playoffs. If they can't "agree on something", there are no expanded playoffs. Manfred could essentially dictate a 50 game season right now. Players would get prorated pay but the league wouldn't get expanded playoffs and the owners would take in all the revenue from the 10 team playoffs. The league doesn't want to unilaterally dictate a season for this reason. They probably will though which would suck.

Jared Jones from La Marida CA is a name I’ve heard

I doubt it will be the mandated season. If the owners mandate the length of the season, they can't expand the playoffs. They really need to expand the playoffs. My guess is 65 games and expanded playoffs. I've been wrong throughout this process though.

Fair enough. Those guys are underselling the curveball though.

Soderstrom is nothing like those guys. I'd move him from catcher because keeping him there is a waste of time. You're buying the bat. He can play 3B or OF. That's much different than Collins. Crochet is super risky. I'm just not sure he's a starter. THere's no evidence that he is. Detmers curveball isn't a 55. It's closer to being 70 than 55.

Burke Granger covers the midwest for D1 Baseball and covers the draft for 2080Baseball. He joined myself and Mike Rankin on the latest version of the FutureSox podcast: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/05/futuresox-podcast-mlb-draft-preview-ft-burke-granger-of-2080-baseball/

One of the storylines of this draft will be new Amateur Director Mike Shirley. How could the White Sox philosophy change under his leadership? Dan Santaromita wrote about it here: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/05/will-mike-shirley-signal-a-change-in-white-sox-draft-strategy/

David Wildman has the latest draft profile over at FutureSox. Could Robert Hassell be an option: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/06/2020-draft-preview-robert-hassell/

They get their money but it's deferred. For example, if Zac Veen goes #4 overall and signs for like $7 million, he gets the money over the next two years. Every players gets a maximum of $100K this year. Then he'd get $3.5 million in July of 2021 and $3.5million in July of 2022. The top prep guys will still sign but many have tough decisions to make. It's easy to just go to college but colleges will also have juniors and seniors returning and college coaches don't have all the rules in place yet. It's a mess.

Mitchell is a better athlete and can definitely stay in CF. I think Benintendi's hit tool is better. Mitchell is loaded with tools but the diabetes is a real concern for teams.

It's a tough question to answer. I'll say Cespedes because he's eligible and Colas isn't

I think Soderstrom or Howard would be the most likely. It was moreso me being down on the next tier of college bats. They just don't do much for me. I think Detmers is the pick if he gets to them but I'd probably predict Soderstrom/Howard after that.

Garrett Mitchell is a toolsy outfielder from UCLA and could be an option for the White Sox with the 11th pick. Sean Williams has the profile here: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/04/2020-draft-preview-garrett-mitchell-of/

If the White Sox want to draft another hitter in the first round, they should go the prep route. Taking a college hitter makes sense in general but there are flaws to the strategy this year. I wrote about that for today: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/04/white-sox-draft-strategy-should-deviate-from-college-to-prep/

They aren't allowed to strike. The owners are definitely dangling this as a possibility. If they don't agree on something, Manfred can theoretically say, "the season will be 50 games. You get prorated salaries. Play or don't". The owners are trying to divide and conquer. 65% of the league makes under $1 million. Those players get way more money in the sliding scale offer than they would playing 50 games. The owners think that the rank and file will convince the MLPBPA to take a deal. I've done my fair share of bashing Tony Clark. It's tough to represent a union made up of haves and have nots though. With that being said, there is some optimism. I've heard from people tonight that think 82 games, prorated salaries, deferrals for anyone making $10 million or more ultimately gets done. We're running out of time though.

I think they've met with a bunch of guys and the media caught wind. Big media types assumed they were going college because they always do. That's just not necessarily the case though.

Fegan said in his latest article that the Bailey love is overblown. I've heard the same FWIW.

Nick Bitsko re-classified to get into the 2020 draft. He didn't pitch this spring but he has major helium as a 17-year-old and should definitely go somewhere in round one. Could he be an option for the White Sox? Jasper Roos has the profile: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/03/2020-draft-preview-nick-bitsko-rhp/

Rankin and I sat down with Kyle Peterson of ESPN and SEC network and we discussed some draft prospects, his thoughts on the labor talks and what the ESPN draft product might look like. Check it out here: https://www.futuresox.com/2020/06/03/futuresox-podcast-ft-kyle-peterson-of-espn-the-sec-network/

He'd sign this time lol

I've never personally heard the connection. I knew they were all over Kelley. They could feel similarly or better about Abel I'm just not in tune to it. Callis linked them to all the preps and Shirley said they really like the HS pitching class on the call today.

I don't believe he will be.

Yeah I'm actually writing something on this currently. I'm not interested in going with a college hitter this year. It usually makes sense and is fairly safe, but I don't like it for lots of reasons at #11 in this class. I love the prep hitters and without a minor league season and what next year looks like very uncertain, I hope they go younger.

Both IMO. They were all over Jared Kelley this year and loved him over the summer. Jim Callis mentioned them with Bitsko and Abel as well. I just wouldn't bet on them taking the plunge. These opinions are changing and we're obviously a week away but I think Reid Detmers is the selection if available. If he's not, I think it's a prep hitter but nobody should be surprised by a college hitter with their history.

It was a fun one to write. I'd lean against them going this route at this point though.