Draft prospects you should know: Chase Strumpf

When you have the No. 3 overall pick, it’s never too soon to take a quick peek into this year’s MLB draft. This year’s draft class is loaded with excellent hitting prospects, but is relatively weak on the pitching side.

Draft Prospects You Should Know is a new series that features prospects who the White Soxcould pursue in this year’s draft. As the June draft nears, we’ll return to many of these athletes and provide updates on whether their stocks are rising (or falling).

Age listed as of Day One of the Draft (June 3).

Chase Strumpf
Second Baseman
UCLA
Age 21
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Baseball America 44
MLB 41
FanGraphs 45

Both MLB and FanGraphs list Strumpf as a second baseman, while Baseball America considers him as an outfielder. Truth be told, he’s actually better suited for second base due to his limited range and arm strength. However, what is not debatable are the improvements Strumpf made last year and the hitting skills he possesses: Here are his results with UCLA through May 29:

2017 188 AB, .239/.315/.399, 9 2B, 0 3B, 7 HR, 30 RBIs, 21 BB, 45 K, 2-of-3 SB
2018 226 AB, .363/.475/.633, 23 2B, 1 3B, 12 HR, 53 RBIs, 45 BB, 53 K, 2-of-3 SB
2019 194 AB, .289/431/.469, 12 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 38 RBIs, 42 BB, 51 K, 3-of-3 SB

Strumpf has struggled in 2019, at least in comparison to his stellar sophomore season last year. MLB grades his tools as follows: Hit 55, and Field, Power, Run and Arm 50. With the White Sox drafting a second baseman (Nick Madrigal) in the first round last year, it’s doubtful that the team would select Strumpf in the second round — which is where he could fall based on this year’s rankings. However, if the White Sox view Strumpf as more of a left fielder long-term, it’s possible the Sox could consider him with that pick if he’s available.

There are not many similar comps to Strumpf in the White Sox system presently — the only one who comes to mind is Mitch Roman, who’s a better defensive player but not as gifted with the bat. If Strumpf is one of the fortunate few who reaches his potential, a possible MLB comp would be a right-handed version of Daniel Murphy.

Here’s a video of Strumpf playing against Loyola Marymount earlier this year, courtesy of 2080 Baseball:

Here are some 2018 highlights from Strumpf, courtesy of YouTube: