South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 24: DJ Gladney

D.J. Gladney

Third Baseman
6´3´´
195 pounds
Age: 19
SSS rank among all third basemen in the system: 3
2021 SSS Top Prospect Vote: 24
2020 SSHP Top Prospect Ranking: 29

DJ Gladney, a native of Matteson, played varsity ball with Illiana Christian Academy (Lansing, Ill.). As a product of the White Sox ACE program, Gladney caught the attention of White Sox scout J.J. Lally at the Area Code Games in 2018, as he told South Side Sox: “My initial thoughts were that he showed excellent bat speed but was a raw talent.”

The White Sox gladly selected Gladney in the 16th round of the 2019 draft, and after he eschewed his verbal commitment to Eastern Kentucky University by accepting an over-slot $225,000 bonus, Gladney immediately began paying dividends.

Though Gladney struggled making contact with the AZL White Sox, he still slashed a solid .264/.309/.428 in 50 games with five doubles, two triples, eight homers, 25 RBIs, one stolen base, 10 walks (4.5%) and 82 strikeouts (37.2%).

The White Sox will likely be patient with the young man as he adapts to the speed of the game. Thus, while it’s possible he could earn a promotion for 2021, it may make more sense to see him return to the AZL White Sox.

For additional information on him, read the terrific, in-depth piece by Dan Victor from these pages two years ago.