Chicago White Sox see big upside in Okemos shortstop Caleb Bonemer

The Chicago White Sox got an up close view of Caleb Bonemer last summer when he was part of their roster for the Area Code Games.

And the Okemos shortstop had a lot of success for a squad White Sox amateur scouting director Mike Shirley said was one of the club's most impactful they've had in the Area Codes event.

That had big appeal Sunday when the White Sox made Bonemer the highest draft pick from Greater Lansing when they took him in the second round of the MLB draft with the No. 43 overall pick .

"Caleb, from the first time he stepped on the main stage in the circuit last summer has shown us dynamic tools, five tools," Shirley said on a Zoom call with reporters Sunday night. "It's hit, it's power. He was one of the best players on the circuit last year. Our scouts were super excited about him. We feel like the makeup is right.

"We think there's right-handed strength. both hit and power. He can run. I think overall his defense really took a step forward this year and it was something he really worked hard on. (He's a) cold weather player who we think has got a runway to continue to grow significantly when you look at ceiling of a player."

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Bonemer, the two-time Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, was one of three players the White Sox selected on the opening day of the MLB draft. Iowa native and IMG Academy (Florida) left-handed pitcher Blake Larson , who the White Sox took with the 68th pick, was also part of their Area Codes squad.

The plan for the 18-year-old Bonemer, who was born 21 days before the White Sox won their last World Series title in 2005, is to play shortstop in their system. Shirley said the organization would like to exhaust all avenues to keep him in that area as it fits a profile they prioritize attacking.

"Caleb answered the bell for us," Shirley said. "Our interview at the combine was great. He comes from a great family. He's very humble but he's also very confident. He's not an overly outspoken kid. He's there to play baseball. His intent is right. He enjoys it and we think we got another winner."

More: These Greater Lansing high school baseball players have been selected in the MLB draft

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Chicago White Sox see big upside in Okemos shortstop Caleb Bonemer