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Who is Alec Bohm?
The six-foot-five, 220-pound third baseman is a junior out of Wichita State. He was the No. 1-rated high school prospect in Nebraska, but went undrafted. As a freshman, he slashed .303/.346/.489 with six home runs. In 23 starts at third he had a fielding percentage of .859. Bohm’s sophomore season was an improvement, especially with his batter’s eye: He slashed .305/.385/.519 with 11 home runs and 20 more walks than his freshman campaign. His fielding percentage ticked up to .959, but that also came with some time at first base. This season, Bohm is currently slashing .332/.433/.616, with 15 home runs and another increase in walks, to 38. However, his fielding percentage has dipped down to .897.
How Does Bohm Rank?
Jim Callis Mock: Third to the Philadelphia Phillies
Jonathan Mayo Mock: Third to the Phillies
Fangraphs Mock: Third to the Phillies
Perfect Game Rank: Fourth
What is Bohm’s Game?
Obviously, a player that of Bohm’s size has power, and a lot of it. MLB Pipeline rates his in-game power at 55 coming out of Wichita State. FanGraphs rates Bohm with a 70 raw power, (raw power as seen in batting practice, not live games). In fact, FanGraphs makes a comp to Kris Bryant. However, Bohm has a much better eye than most power guys, with his walks have increasing every year. In fact, in 2018, Bohm has more walks than strikeouts. He does hit for some average, and MLB Pipeline grades his hitting tool as a 55.
Fielding is a more murky story. MLB Pipeline grades his fielding at 45 and his arm at 50, both average — but not what you want on the hot corner. Bohm’s fielding percentages seem to back that assessment up. However, Perfect Game predicted that Bohm has the arm and ability to stay at third, and FanGraphs agrees with that premise. What draws teams is Bohm’s bat, which is a skill that’s much harder to improve.
What does Alec Bohm look like?
A man among boys, huh!
Why would the White Sox Draft him?
After the Jake Burger injury, there is a hole in the minor league system at third. Matt Rose is the only real option for the next year or two, as Burger works back from his Achilles injury. He is also a college bat, which is what the Sox have been drafting lately in the top rounds, fitting the mold of a hitter over pure athleticism. Even if Bohm cannot stick at third, defensive limitations rarely stop the White Sox from picking a player they’re targeting. Two recent examples: Zack Collins was not supposed to stay at catcher, and Burger was a cinch to move from third.
Why wouldn’t the Sox draft him?
This one is easy: If Bohm is not there at four like many mock drafts have, the Sox won’t pick him! Also, FanGraphs seems convinced that Nick Madrigal is the guy the Sox scouting staff and front office want, to the extend where they would choose Madrigal over Bohm if both are available.