The Chicago White Sox are officially on the clock. The MLB Draft kicks off Saturday at 1:00 PM ET in Philadelphia, and the consensus at the top of the board is finally sharpening. According to a recent mock draft by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Chicago is leaning toward UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick.
The debate inside the White Sox front office comes down to basic organizational philosophy. They are currently weighing the established college bat of Cholowsky against the raw ceiling of 18-year-old Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson. Cholowsky arrives as a Golden Spikes finalist. Emerson carries the title of Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year. Right now, Chicago is expected to take the safer floor of the college standout.
That decision sets off an immediate chain reaction for the rest of the American League. The Tampa Bay Rays wait at No. 2. They reportedly have heavy interest in Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. But the draft board shifts completely if Chicago passes on Emerson. The Rays are projected to grab the prep bat instead, dropping Lackey directly into the laps of the Minnesota Twins at No. 3.
Rounding out the top five, UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora is projected to go No. 4. Oak Grove High School center fielder Eric Booth Jr. follows at No. 5.
Everything on Saturday hinges on strict financial boundaries. These draft selections are entirely bound by MLB’s bonus pool rules. The White Sox operate with a hard 5 percent overage threshold of $18,471,705. If Chicago exceeds that mark, they trigger a severe 75 percent tax and face the potential forfeiture of future draft picks.