Draft notes from BA...

[Randar68]

With Wes Hodges looking like a future first-rounder at Georgia Tech (will be eligible next year), another name from the same draft surfaces out of Pima CC in Arizona. He had a 1 million dollar signing bonus demand out of HS and didn't sign. Also was a good student with aspiration of medical school with his mother pushing college hard. Interesting to see him end up at Pima and looking like a first few round pick. Sad to hear about his mother.

 

 

4. DONALD VEAL, lhp (National rank: 86)

School: Pima (Ariz.) CC.

Hometown: Tucson.

B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 200. Birthdate: Nov. 18, 1984.

Previously Drafted: White Sox ’03 (12).

Scouting Report: Little righthander Gilbert de la Vara, a 15th-round draft-and-follow of the Royals, was the dominant pitcher on the Pima Community College staff this spring, leading the competitive Arizona junior college ranks with 109 strikeouts and a 1.28 ERA. But scouts showed more interest in Veal, a strapping lefthander whose long arms, imposing body and pitching style evoke a young Vida Blue. Veal’s velocity was inconsistent, but his running fastball sat at 94 mph when he was on top of his game, and touched 97. He also threw his curveball with more speed and command than in the past, though it remains a below-average pitch. Veal was one of Arizona’s top high school prospects in 2003, when he was drafted by the White Sox, but elected to attend college at Arizona. As a freshman, he didn’t pitch because he injured his labrum, didn’t throw strikes consistently and generally got lost in the shuffle on a team that advanced to the College World Series. He rebounded with a strong season at Pima, finishing second in the state to de la Vara in strikeouts, with 105, even as he had to endure the death of his mother because of stomach cancer. Projectable and anxious to get his professional career started, Veal projects as a second- or third-rounder.

[Randar68]

Also a note out of New Mexico on a possible DFE candidate from last year still under Sox control... 22nd rounder Brian Flores.

 

For all its firepower, the team’s two best prospects are pitchers: LHP Brian Flores (3) and RHP Cody Harkcom (1). Flores, a 22nd-round pick of the White Sox in 2004, led the nation in strikeouts, but scouts say Harkcom has better stuff. He has two above-average pitches: a 91-95 mph fastball and an 82-83 mph slider. After going undrafted last year, he improved his stock by throwing more strikes and getting more run on his fastball from a lower arm slot. The more slightly built Flores assembled a 10-1, 2.28 record this year with 123 strikeouts in 79 innings. He showed better command of a three-pitch assortment that included a 92 mph fastball and a solid 12-to-6 curveball.

[Randar68]

Out of Utah (Dixie State JC):

 

LHP Nick Walters (8), who threw two no-hitters this spring and posted a 1.82 ERA, was looking to sign with the Whie Sox before the draft. His velocity is a little short at 86-88 mph, but he gets exceptional movement on all his pitches from a funky, low arm angle.

[Guest JimH]

My guess for the Sox 1st rounder is the lefthander from Tulane, Bogesevic.

 

Randar ... anything interesting in the recent organizational reports? The newsstand issues are a little behind.

[Guest JimH]

Out of Utah (Dixie State JC):

 

LHP Nick Walters (8), who threw two no-hitters this spring and posted a 1.82 ERA, was looking to sign with the Whie Sox before the draft. His velocity is a little short at 86-88 mph, but he gets exceptional movement on all his pitches from a funky, low arm angle.

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I just looked Walters up, he was a 31st round pick by the White Sox last year, from Desert Hills HS in AZ. Sounds like a future situational lefty ... funky motion, tons of movement.

[Randar68]

My guess for the Sox 1st rounder is the lefthander from Tulane, Bogesevic.

 

Randar ... anything interesting in the recent organizational reports?  The newsstand issues are a little behind.

 

Nothing much, just some nice comments about Jerry Owens and Chris Young. Also mentioned the organization's feeling of both Lopez and Valido already being MLB-ready defensively, something we've talked about here and on WSI for the past 12 months, really...

[Randar68]

I just looked Walters up, he was a 31st round pick by the White Sox last year, from Desert Hills HS in AZ.  Sounds like a future situational lefty ... funky motion, tons of movement.

 

It's unusual to see pitchers like that start and stay helthy for very long. I imagine you're correct, but even with funky arm angles, you have to be able to get the ball past hitters if you're coming out of a bullpen. Lack of velocity would have to be a concern if you're projecting him...

 

If he signs, it's not going to be for much $$$.

 

The Sox have some decent DFE candidates out of Florida we can talk a little more about as we lead up to the draft...

[Guest JimH]

Sox usually end up signing at least 2-3 draft and follow guys and announce them right about now. I would expect to see a signing very shortly, they have until Tuesday as I understand it.

[Guest JimH]

The Sox have some decent DFE candidates out of Florida we can talk a little more about as we lead up to the draft...

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Logan Williamson ... Frank Viola Jr. ... Brandon Cooney ... any of those guys?

 

There was a catcher out of Florida who went the CC route, don't have my list handy, he might be another ... ? Too hard to keep track of all these guys LOL.

[Randar68]

Logan Williamson ... Frank Viola Jr. ... Brandon Cooney ... any of those guys?

 

There was a catcher out of Florida who went the CC route, don't have my list handy, he might be another ... ?  Too hard to keep track of all these guys LOL.

 

Robby Grinestaff is who I believe you are thinking of. He was converting to catcher over the last year or so IIRC, I did some research on the DFE guys following the draft last year and Grinestaff was even previously drafted by the Sox, IIRC. He's originally from Jeffersonville H.S. in Jeffersonville, IN.

Edited May 26, 2005 by Randar68

[Guest JimH]

Robby Grinestaff is who I believe you are thinking of.  He was converting to catcher over the last year or so IIRC, I did some research on the DFE guys following the draft last year and Grinestaff was even previously drafted by the Sox, IIRC...

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Yes, Grinestaff. And I also recall him being drafted by the Sox twice, so obviously they really like him.

 

Watch, he'll be the one they don't sign

[Guest JimH]

The Sox have drafted both Logan Williamson and Robbie Grinestaff twice.

[Cerbaho-WG]

IIRC, they drafted Everly twice (and signed him).

 

I'd definitely take a shot at Veal in the 3rd round.

[Guest JimH]

As an update, the White Sox have signed LHP's Logan Williamson and Nick Walters.

 

Per the Chicago Tribune, Williamson reports to Instructional League and Walters goes to Bristol.

Edited May 27, 2005 by JimH

[Chisoxfn]

Don't know if this was mentioned, but the Sox drafted Williamson one round higher in 2003.

 

Williamson pitched in the 2004 JUCO world series.