The White Sox announced Monday that they've locked up their first-round pick.
Garrett Crochet, the left-handed pitcher who the team selected with the No. 11 choice in this month's MLB Draft, signed a minor league contract with a signing bonus of $4,547,500, full slot value.
Crochet is one half of a potentially dynamic duo of draft picks for the White Sox, teaming with second-rounder Jared Kelley to give the organization two pitching prospects it believes could one day be top-of-the-rotation arms. Both pitchers are known as hard throwers who can light up the radar gun.
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Crochet made just 13 starts in his three seasons at the University of Tennessee, his junior season cut short earlier this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. But he showed enough promise to be ranked as one of the top hurlers in the draft.
Earning comparisons to Chris Sale, Crochet's ability has spurred talk that he could move quickly through the system and arrive in the major leagues in a relative hurry. The White Sox recognize that talent but aren't making any predictions, and it's worth noting that the team has been patient with its top prospects in the last several years as it's attempted to put itself in the best position to compete for years to come.
“I’m thrilled to officially be a member of the White Sox organization,” Crochet said in the team's announcement Monday. “It has always been my dream to play at the highest level, and now I’m one step closer to achieving that dream. I want to thank my family, friends, coaches and teammates who have helped throughout my baseball career. I can’t wait to get started.”
