Do Chicago White Sox take college slugger or prep phenom?
Since 2000, the Chicago White Sox have used their first-round draft pick on college players 17 times.
They've taken just two high school players over that span and wound up regretting both selections.
There was Kris Honel in 2001, and the local pitcher out of Providence Catholic in New Lenox never advanced above Double-A ball.
There was outfielder Courtney Hawkins in 2012, and the outfielder from Carroll High School in Texas was such a disappointing hitter, he's been used as a relief pitcher by the Cincinnati Reds at Class AAA Louisville this year.
It's difficult enough to judge seasoned college players, so drafting high school talent can be a real roll of the dice.
As the June 3 draft approaches, the Sox hold the No. 3 overall pick thanks to a dismal 62-100 record in 2018.
The Baltimore Orioles (47-155 last year) have the first pick, and they're all but certain to take Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman.
The Kansas City Royals (58-104) are next up, and they appear to be leaning toward high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
The White Sox were widely projected to draft Cal slugger Andrew Vaughn with the third pick, but that has changed.
Vaughn is having another banner season for the Golden Bears (.387/.549/.728 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI in 50 games), but most draft outlets have the Sox taking C.J. Abrams.
A prep shortstop from Blessed Trinity - the same Atlanta-area high school that produced former Sox catcher Tyler Flowers - Abrams is batting over .400 for the fourth straight season. Here is Baseball America's scouting report on the 18-year-old prospect:
"A speedy shortstop out of Georgia, Abrams has some of the best bat-to-ball skills of the 2019 class with a simple, clean stroke from the left-handed batter's box. He uses his elite contact ability and plus-plus speed to drive balls to both outfield gaps for extra-base hits, and he beats out infield singles by routinely posting 70-grade run times from home to first.
"Abrams has below-average raw power and rolls over on the ball at times, leading some scouts to question his future impact potential, but his defensive ability at shortstop is among the best in the class. He has a short arm action, quick hands and a fast exchange with excellent range, allowing his arm to play up. He also logged a few innings in center field this summer, where he chased down balls well."
At 6-feet-2, 180 pounds, Abrams has plenty of time to add muscle and power, but Vaughn still makes the most sense with such a high pick.
The White Sox are set at shortstop with Tim Anderson, who is signed through 2022 with club options for 2023-24. He has come into his own this year and is having an all-star caliber first half.
Maybe that would change by 2022, the likely season Abrams is ready for the majors.
Anderson and Abrams have both been viewed as potential center fielders, but that position is going to be filled by Luis Robert at some point next season, and he could very well play at a superstar level for the next decade and beyond.
If you can play center field, you can usually play the corners, so maybe Abrams winds up in right, with Robert in center and Eloy Jimenez in left.
With Vaughn, he would give the Sox a needed power bat from the left side, and they can use the 6-foot, 215-pounder at first base or designated hitter.
Vaughn's stock has dropped a bit among talent evaluators, mainly due to his lack of size. But he has a .377 batting average with 50 homers and 162 RBI in 156 games over his three-year run at Cal. As an added bonus, Vaughn has a great eye at the plate.
History says the White Sox draft Vaughn, but Abrams' high ceiling is equally or more attractive.