Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas

The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. They play in the American League Central division. Since the institution of MLB's Rule 4 Draft, the White Sox have selected 62 players in the first round. Of the 62 players picked in the first round by the Chicago White Sox, 31 have been pitchers, the most of any position. Ten outfielders, eight catchers, five shortstops, five third basemen, and three first basemen were also taken but never a player at second base. Fourteen of the players came from high schools or universities in the state of California, and Florida follows with seven players. The White Sox have also drafted six players from their home state of Illinois. One player has won a championship with the team; Aaron Rowand (1998) was part of the 2005 World Series championship team. Frank Thomas (1989) was a member of the Chicago White Sox for 16 years, including the 2005 season, but was not part of the World Series roster due to injury. Thomas is also the only first-round draft pick to win the Most Valuable Player Award, winning the honor in both 1993 and 1994. One pick, 1987 selection Jack McDowell, has won the Cy Young Award with the team (1993). The White Sox had the first overall selection twice in the draft, which they used on Danny Goodwin (1971) and Harold Baines (1977). The White Sox have failed to sign three of their first-round picks: Danny Goodwin (1971), Steve Buechele (1979), and Bobby Seay (1996). The White Sox did not receive any compensation for Goodwin or Buechele, but they did receive the 51st pick in 1997 for failing to sign Seay. (Read more...)