During the first two days of the draft, MLB teams are under some pressure to commit to their picks. The first 10 rounds are each assigned slot values, and if a team fails to sign a pick, the value for that pick is still considered spent.
For the final 30 rounds on the third day of the draft, there are no such financial obligations. The only catch -- if a team spends $100,000 or more on a player drafted after the 10th round, it counts toward the original draft pool, so teams can't get all that cute.
The White Sox selected a few players among their last 30 picks who may test the $100,000 line. You'll also see the requisite familiar names, and one awesome name.
Unlike the second day, I'm only going to dig into players of interest. If you want capsules for all 30 picks, check FutureSox.
11th round (333): RHP Matthew Ball
6'5", 195 lbs., Bonita Vista (Calif.) HS
The White Sox started their day by drafting their fourth high school player. Ball, out of the San Diego area, is the projectable sort, and has a commitment to Long Beach State.
Bonita Vista coach Vince Gervais told UT Preps, a San Diego-area prep school source, that Ball can consistently hit 86 mph and tops out around 92 mph. Those numbers should only improve as Ball continues to build arm strength and develop.
13th round (393): 1B Danny Hayes
6'5, 210 lbs., Oregon State
Isn't one Dan Hayes enough?
14th round (423): RHP Tyler Barnette
6'2, 215 lbs., UNC Charlotte
Rankings: BA (#292)
MLB.com video
Barnette was drafted by the Red Sox in the ninth round in 2010, but he chose the college route. Problem was, his best year was his first year (9-2, 2.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP). He developed physically, but it didn't add to his stuff, so he's a command-oriented sinkerballer who doesn't miss a lot of bats.
Baseball America: "He has shown a curveball, but scouts don't think it will be a factor, and his changeup is fair. Opinions vary about whether he'll be a starter or reliever, but most see him as a solid arm that fits around the 10th round."
MLB.com: "His fastball sits in the upper-80s, occasionally touching 92 mph with sinking action. He also throws a slider and a changeup, both of which are Major League average when at their best."
15th round (453): LHP Andrew Wheeler
6'1, 185 lbs., Texas Tech
Rankings: BA (#404)
Wheeler has an interesting story -- he was a two-way player in high school and selected by the Dodgers in the 22nd round of the 2010 draft as an outfielder. He went to Texas Tech instead, where he gradually made the transition to the bullpen over his three years in Lubbock. His career numbers aren't that impressive (51 IP, 5.47 ERA, 29 walks, 47 strikeouts), but he has the potential to develop into a lefty specialist.
BA: "Wheeler can pump his fastball up to 93 mph and has aptitude for spinning a curveball. He'll even show a changeup with promise. The quality and command of his pitches fluctuate, something that could be helped by feeding him plenty of innings in pro ball."
19th round (573): OF Adam Engel
6'1", 215 lbs., Louisville
Rankings: BA (#156)
MLB.com video
A highly regarded high school quarterback in Ohio, Engel chose baseball and went to Lousville. He has all sorts of physical ability -- on Baseball America's Best Tools list, Engel made the cut in "Best Athlete," "Fastest Runner" and "Best Defensive Player." Here's an example of said defense:
But that ability isn't cleanly translating into production at the plate. He appeared to be on the right track as a sophomore (.308/.367/.341, 37 steals in 39 attempts), but his junior year has been a step back. He's hitting just .237/.368/.297 for the Cardinals -- with 31 walks and 19 HBP to help the OBP -- and while he's stolen 41 bases, he's been caught 13 times. His coach has an explanation:
"He probably pressed a little bit and hit a tough patch," McDonnell said. "Also getting him ready for pro ball, coach (Chris) Lemonis had to rework the swing a little bit. It would be like reworking Peyton Siva’s jump shot in the middle of the season. We did that for Adam, for his benefit and ours.
He has the option of returning to Louisville for his senior season to try to improve his stock.
BA: "While he has some bat speed and strength, he holds his hands too low at the plate and his righthanded swing doesn't produce enough contact."
MLB.com: "Engel has plus-plus speed and plays excellent defense in center field. He is a leadoff type of hitter who relies on making contact with his line-drive swing."
33rd round: (993) LHP Tavo Rodriguez
6'4", 205 lbs., Franklin (El Paso, Texas) HS
Rankings: BA (#277)
MLB.com video
This selection if the biggest signability flier of the third day. Rodriguez is a tall lefty with good velocity and three-pitch potential, but he's enthusiastically committed to Oklahoma.
BA: "He tends to pitch to radar guns early in games and looks better once he stops overthrowing. When that happens, he has much better command of an 85-88 mph fastball, spins a curveball and shows feel for a changeup."
MLB.com: "Rodriguez has the prototypical pitcher's build. He can already hit 93 mph with his fastball and should see an increase in velocity once he fills out."
36th round: (1083) 1B Nick Parent
6'3", 220 lbs., Cal State Monterey Bay
Son of Mark Parent.
37th round: (1113) 1B Cody Young
6'1", 200 lbs., VCU
Son of Larry Yount, nephew of Robin Yount.
38th round: (1143) SS Audry Santana
5'11", 170 lbs., Eckerd College (Fla.)
Son of Rafael Santana (the whistle-blower in the Dave Wilder scandal). The White Sox picked him in the 48th round back in 2010.
39th round (1173): 3B Wolfie Tash
6'2", 195 lbs., Venice (Calif.) HS
Wolfie! Clear winner for best name of the draft. Might be better than Storm Throne. Anagram: Oaf Whistle.
40th round (1203): 2B Ronell Colmean
5'5", 140 lbs., Simeon HS
Coleman will be attending Vanderbilt, but he's a product of the White Sox's Amateur City Elite program.