Chicago White Sox Draft: Three targets for 11th overall pickon April 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Chicago White Sox (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The Chicago White Sox hold the 11th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. Here are three guys they should target in the first round.

While the future looks brighter than the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft may suggest, the Chicago White Sox will hold the 11th overall pick. Last year, the south siders selected the top first baseman in the class in Andrew Vaughn and followed that with three straight high school prospects.

As sights set on who the general manager Rick Hahn may select, there will be a plethora of talent available to him just outside the top ten. Let’s look at three players to consider with the first-round pick:

Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State

Widely considered to be the best college catcher in this draft, Bailey was originally selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 37th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He chose to play collegiate baseball and hoped his draft stock would improve. Well, as it turns out, he was right, as he’s virtually a lock to go in the first round.

He posted remarkable numbers as a true freshman; .321/.419/.604 line with 13 home runs and 40 RBI with nearly a 1:1 BB/K ratio. Bailey participated in the Cape Cod League during the summer of 2018 and hit .235 in an eight-game sample size.

Back on campus for his sophomore year, he put up a .903 OPS in 60 games to go along with 17 doubles, ten home runs, and 43 RBI and, again, a 1:1 BB.K ratio. As a switch-hitter, he has fantastic discipline at the plate, and scouts love his abilities behind the plate as well.

Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee

Ranked as one of the best college pitchers in the class, Crochet got better each year for the Volunteers. He was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but never signed. As a true freshman, he posted modest numbers with 17 appearances – including six starts – while displaying terrific command. He posted a 5.51 ERA but struck out 62 batters in 63.2 innings of work while allowing just 26 walks.

As a sophomore, he served in a similar role making 18 appearances – including six starts – and collected three saves as well. He posted a 4.02 ERA but struck out 81 batters in 65.0 innings (11.2 K/9). Crochet was set to transition to the rotation this year prior to the shutdown.

He made just one start but struck out six batters in 3.1 innings of work. His fastball touches 99 MPH and consistently sits in the mid-90s. Crochet complements his primary pitch with an above-average slider and changeup. He’ll likely need to develop another pitch to stick in a rotation. If not, he could be a deadly bullpen arm.

Tanner Burns, RHP, Auburn

Ranked as the 26th best prospect in the class by Baseball America, Burns is going to be a name White Sox will want to remember. If Hahn reaches for him with the 11th overall pick, it will be for a good reason. He was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 2017 MLB Draft but ultimately chose to go with his verbal commitment to Auburn.

Burns was a starting pitcher from day one on campus, making 17 starts as a true freshman and posting a 3.01 ERA. He struck out 77 batters in 86.2 innings while limiting opponents to a .225 average. He followed that with 16 appearances – including 15 starts – while striking out 101 batters in 79.2 innings (11.4 K/9).

Next: J.T. Ginn would be steal of the first round

More importantly, he displayed terrific command, walking just 23 batters over that timeframe (2.6 BB/9) and limited opponents to a .218 average. Burns was off to a great start this year, posting a 2.42 ERA in four starts with 32 starts in 22.1 innings. He’s going to be one of the most underrated starting pitchers in the first round.

Load Comments

Chicago White Sox Draft: Three targets for 11th overall pickon April 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Cubs Draft: Chris McMahon is next Aaron Nolaon April 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm

(Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Desperate for pitching, Chris McMahon has been climbing up draft boards. If the Chicago Cubs take him 16th overall, he would be well worth it.

To no one’s surprise, the Chicago Cubs were top-heavy selecting pitching talent in the 2019 MLB Draft. After all, they lose 60 percent of the rotation after this season and with the top pitching prospect at least two years away from seeing Wrigley Field, it makes sense to add as much talent as possible.

I expect Theo Epstein and company will have the same approach in this year’s draft. With the 16th overall pick, the Cubs have several directions they can go. There is a plethora of top pitching talent that will be available to them when they are officially on the clock. One guy that has recently been picking up steam has been University of Miami’s Chris McMahon.

Background

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 205 pounds

Throws: R

Bats: R

McMahon was previously drafted in the 33rd round by the Atlanta Braves in the 2017 MLB Draft out of West Chester Rustin High School. However, the two sides failed to reach a deal, and the Pennsylvania native was headed off to the U. In his first season on campus, he made six appearances – including four starts – and struck out 18 batters in 26.1 innings.

The following year, McMahon had a breakout year as Miami’s Saturday starter. He posted a 3.73 ERA while striking out 67 in 60.1 innings. He made the start for the Hurricanes in the Starkville Regional Opener against Central Michigan, striking out five in 4.1 innings.

He likely could have gone longer in that game, but an error at first base kept the fifth inning alive for the Chippewas, and manager Gino DiMare ultimately opted for his bullpen in a close game. Prior to the shutdown, McMahon was off to a terrific start this year, striking out 38 in 25.2 innings while posting a 1.05 ERA.

Strengths

McMahon throws gas often touching the high 90s, but his fastball regularly sits in the mid-90s. He has an above-average slider – demonstrated in his 12K dominant performance against Towson earlier this year – and a changeup that has the deceptive appearance of his fastball.

He has all the makings of a front-end of the rotation pitcher and rarely gives up the long ball.

Weaknesses

He’ll likely need to develop another pitch, and he’s reportedly dabbled in learning a cutter. I’d like to see him reduce the number of walks. He has a simple delivery from the 3/4 arm slot, which makes it easy to repeat throughout a start and was on track to improve the number of free passes before the pandemic shut everything down.

Pro Comparison

McMahon reminds me a lot of Aaron Nola. The latter has a little bit of a higher leg kick, but there’s no denying the similarities in their stats from last season.

Nola: 7.8 H/9, 1.2 HR/9, 10.2 K/9, 3.6 BB/9

McMahon: 7.5 H/9, 0.3 HR/9, 10.0 K/9, 3.4 BB/9

Next: Cubs Draft: Duke pitcher Bryce Jarvis interview

If the Miami product follows a similar path as Nola, the Cubs will be in a great position going forward with Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish, Brailyn Marquez, and McMahon as their top four starters in the rotation.

Load Comments

Chicago Cubs Draft: Chris McMahon is next Aaron Nolaon April 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: Three reasons to trade for Odell Beckham Jr.on April 18, 2020 at 12:00 pm

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns keeps loose on the sideline during the game against the Miami Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Miami 41-24. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Next1 of 4Prev post

Use your <- -> (arrows) to browse

(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears would have a much easier time if they had a guy like Odell Beckham Jr. on their offense to compliment their great defense.

The Chicago Bears had a pitiful offense in 2019. It caused them to fall heavily below expectations from the beginning of the year. The defense was elite once again but they were only able to carry them so far. They were 8-8 but it honestly felt like they were 4-12. It was a tough year all around but the problems were very clear.

They went out and got a quarterback. They made a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire Nick Foles. He will compete with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting quarterback job. There are some weapons already there on offense but they could still use some help. The most important thing is an offensive line. It is likely that they use a good amount of draft capital on some help for that issue.

Well, if they are able to fix their offense it would go a long way in helping their defense. It is a defense that is a championship-caliber one so it is pivotal that they fix the offense. They might be wise to look to a certain star that is available via trade right now.

There have been rumors that the Cleveland Browns are going to trade Odell Beckham Jr. The Minnesota Vikings were the number one team to be involved in this rumor but they have been shutting the rumors down as an organization. Whether they shut it down or not, you can’t just believe them. He may or may not actually even be on the block but the Chicago Bears should go for him if he is for these three reasons:

Next: Division Rivals

Next1 of 4Prev post

Use your <- -> (arrows) to browse

Load Comments

Chicago Bears: Three reasons to trade for Odell Beckham Jr.on April 18, 2020 at 12:00 pm Read More »

“The Last Dance” will be a Chicago Bulls history lessonon April 18, 2020 at 11:00 am

13 Jun 1997: Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls is interviewed in the locker room after the Bulls win game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 90-86 to win the series and claim the championship

ESPN is set to debut the highly anticipated Chicago Bulls documentary titled “The Last Dance” on Sunday.

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s. The legend that defines an era in Chicago that rivals the ’85 Chicago Bears.

Unlike the ’85 Bears, Jordan and dynasty that was the Chicago Bulls are about to be reborn and on display for an entirely new generation. ESPN will be premiering the debut episode of their highly anticipated documentary series titled “The Last Dance.”

The series will air in 10 parts and provide an inside look into the final season of the Bulls’ dynasty in the ’90s. The season, of course, being the 1997-1998 NBA season. Otherwise know as, the last chapter of the Bulls’ second three-peat as NBA champions.

The series is certainly going to be a nostalgia trip for the City of Chicago and any fan of basketball. Any Chicagoan that you ask will be able to vividly tell you where’re they were as the Bulls won each of their six championships during the 1990s.

Where was I?

More from Da Windy City

At the grizzled age of five years old, I was in the front yard of my childhood home, riding my big wheel up and down the driveway.

The only reason I knew the Bulls won the NBA championship was due to my neighbors celebrating in the streets while they clash together pots and pans. What a time to be alive, and for me, I didn’t even realize how true that statement would become.

That is my fondest memory of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. Not Michael Jordan; not the rockstar status of the core players on the roster; not the six championships, but as the time my neighbors went crazy and clashed pans together in the streets.

As I grew past my big wheel days, the substance of how great Jordan and the Bulls of the ’90s were was shared with me by stories that my father or grandfather would share. But, even then, my greatest personal memory of Jordan was how he defeated the Monstars in “Space Jam”. Despite seeing highlights of “The Shot” against the Utah Jazz, Jordan, to me, was the guy who extended his arm to have a game winning dunk against the aforementioned Monstars. What a feat that was.

That brings me to 2020 and the release of “The Last Dance”. Jordan and the Bulls of ’90s are about to be introduced to two entirely new generation. There is my generation, who were big-wheel riding Outlaws with so little sports intellect, that we could not truly understand the era of Bulls basketball that we were born into. After all, we yelled “Kobe” as we shot our crumpled up homework into the trash can.

Then, there is the generation was not alive during the Bulls’ run in the ’90s. To them, Jordan and the dynasty Bulls are nothing but a myth. That is why they choose LeBron James over Jordan. But, this documentary will allow them to see who Jordan was and why LeBron is fortunate just to be mentioned in the same breath as him.

Trending

Bulls: Ignore the noise, Boylen is getting fired

Read now >>

That will be the true beauty of this documentary series. The beauty being for so many people of a new generation, the legend of Jordan and the dynasty Chicago Bulls will be born.

Load Comments

“The Last Dance” will be a Chicago Bulls history lessonon April 18, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Chicago Bears: Release Trey Burton with O.J. Howard availableon April 18, 2020 at 10:51 am

Trey Burton, Chicago Bears (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

On Friday, the Chicago Bears announced that they have released tight end, Trey Burton, after two seasons with the team.

Trey Burton was released from the Chicago Bears after just two seasons. He signed a four-year deal back in 2018 worth $22,000,000 in total guarantees. After playing in just eight games last season, this is the correct move.

Burton was sidelined in eight games this season, after suffering from a calf injury. This comes after a groin injury, that kept him out of the infamous wildcard game against the Eagles.

Burton was a decent tight end for the Bears, he just wasn’t producing the way Matt Nagy had hoped he would. Poor play at the tight end position has been common in Chicago since losing Greg Olsen in 2011.

Not to say the Bears haven’t had any decent tight ends during the last nine seasons, I would say Zach Miller and Martellus Bennett had their moments.

During the offseason, the Bears signed Jimmy Graham, instead of going after Eric Ebron and Greg Olsen. The Graham signing had many fans puzzled, mostly because of the amount of money they’re paying a tight end who hasn’t produced at a high level since 2017.

The Bears still could add to the tight end position, which is something they need to do. With O.J. Howard on the trading block, Chicago should be open to calling Tampa Bay for a trade. If they can get Howard with their second-round draft choice, it’s a no brainer.

Howard is 25 years old and is still on his rookie contract. Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t ever had an elite tight end to throw to. If Trubisky wins the job, Howard and Trubisky could have a serious connection on the field.

Chicago Bears: Five players to consider at 50th overall

Read now >>

We’ve already seen what Nick Foles can do with an elite tight end. He won a Super Bowl with one of them, that being Zach Ertz.

Load Comments

Chicago Bears: Release Trey Burton with O.J. Howard availableon April 18, 2020 at 10:51 am Read More »

Serengeti brings Kenny Dennis back for a trip through the world of hypebeasts on Ajaion April 17, 2020 at 9:25 pm

In the mid-2000s, local rapper Serengeti imagined rapping as a character named Kenny Dennis, a 50-something with a thick mustache and an even thicker Chicago accent. Ever since Kenny made his debut on the 2006 single “Dennehy,” he’s become the protagonist of a sprawling universe spread out among a panoply of albums, some credited to Serengeti and others supposedly made by figures in Kenny’s fictitious universe. In 2010, for example, Serengeti dropped There’s a Situation on the Homefront by Kenny’s golden-age group, Tha Grimm Teachaz, who were supposedly all set to release music on Jive during their early-90s heydey, only to have their recordings shelved after they beefed with Shaq at a label showcase. Thankfully, Kenny’s younger brother, Tanya, rediscovered the Homefront tapes nearly two decades later. Chopped Herring, a very real UK archival label that specializes in reissuing obscure hip-hop, is one of several imprints that played along with Serengeti to release Tha Grimm Teachaz material as a “reissue” in the 2010s, which demonstrates the lengths to which he’s gone to make Kenny’s world feel as genuine as our own. In 2018, Serengeti decided to wrap up Kenny’s story with 6e, in which the everyman Chicagoan mourned the loss of his wife, Jueles (she has an album too: 2017’s Butterflies). But Kenny wasn’t done with Serengeti. Last fall the Bulls commissioned Serengeti to make a remix of “Dennehy,” and just before Governor Pritzker issued the shelter-in-place order in March, Serengeti performed the song during halftime at a Bulls home game. Then one week into self-isolation, Serengeti wrote and recorded an epilogue to Kenny’s story, Ajai (released on his own Cohn Corporation label). Produced entirely by Los Angeles beat maker Kenny Segal, the album is front-loaded with densely detailed tales about a new character, the titular Ajai, a maladjusted hypebeast whose single-minded fashion addiction colors every facet of his life. Serengeti’s reflective performances and comforting vocals lend his immersive storytelling real-life gravitas and impart nuance to scenarios that otherwise might just feel sad. Though Ajai and Kenny Dennis are basically strangers, they exist in a world Serengeti has spent nearly 15 years animating down to the last particular. Near the end of the album, when Kenny receives some clothes from Ajai, the gesture carries the weight of Serengeti’s long songwriting journey–practically a lifetime–even though the fleeting moment is mostly transactional. Ajai makes me even more excited to see where Serengeti goes next with his idiosyncratic narrative raps. v