White Sox are looking for offense in the MLB Draft

(670 The Score) The White Sox will have an emphasis on position players in the MLB Draft, which begins Sunday evening.

There are a few reasons for that. Since general manager Chris Getz ascended to his position late last August, the White Sox have focused more on adding pitchers than position players. Beyond that, the White Sox are also likely to part ways with designated hitter Eloy Jimenez and third baseman Yoan Moncada before the 2025 season begins.

Position players also represent the majority of the talent at the top of the draft. As the White Sox hold the No. 5 overall pick in the first round, amateur scouting director Mike Shirley is in lockstep with Getz on their vision. The White Sox also hold the No. 43 overall pick in the second round.

“There is a good blend of high school players in this group and a good blend of college position players and, most importantly, two college pitchers involved in the process,” director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said. “There are 12, 15 really good players.”

Georgia third baseman/outfielder Charlie Condon, Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone and West Virginia infielder JJ Wetherholt are a few of the college position players expected to be selected at the top of the draft.

Wake Forest right-hander Chase Burns and Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith are the top college pitchers. Smith is on the White Sox’s radar.

A high school player to keep an eye on for the White Sox is shortstop/outfielder Konnor Griffin from Flowood, Mississippi. The White Sox have no worries about selecting a high school player.

“Even if we plan to go the high school route, those guys can be in the big leagues in three to three-and-a-half years,” Shirley said. "I love high school players because they can get to the big leagues quicker these days because of all the development training that goes on at younger ages.”

Shirley expects plenty of spirited debate in the White Sox’s draft room.

“It certainly gets tough in there,” Shirley said. “Our people get emotional because of the way they work and invest their lives in the things that they do. It should be like that. People should fight for what they believe in. That is how you build up conviction in players and challenge each other as a staff. We do all the evaluation through analytics and pure scouting to get it right.”

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine .