Trey Yesavage vs Jac Caglianone: Exploring the better fit for the Chicago White Sox in the 2024 MLB draft
Amid another rough season, the Chicago White Sox have quite a few options with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. General manager Chris Getz is in his first season at the helm, while manager Pedro Grifol is in year two.
With talented players near the top of the draft class, it is really anyone's guess how the first round will turn out. Particularly with the top 10 picks, as many elite college stars (as well as a high school player or two) could be taken.
For the White Sox, the question is: do you prioritize a player who can potentially help you out at both the plate and on the mound in Florida's Jac Caglianone? Or on a pitcher who could become the ace that your team desperately needs in East Carolina's Trey Yesavage?
Caglianone could impact White Sox in a big way.
The two-way star does have his detractors, as many scouts think that he should stick strictly to hitting at the next level. But if the White Sox can develop him in a manner that allows him to continue to play both ways, then he could potentially have a much bigger effect on the South Side club and for a longer time frame.
His power-hitting ability has been hailed numerous times, with scouts drooling over what is widely regarded as his most valuable tool. Sluggers like Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso and Shohei Ohtani have impacted their teams and the MLB as a whole, and the man known as "Cags" might have a similar effect.
Hitting .419 and 35 home runs are nothing to sneeze at, even at the collegiate level. Although some scouts have questioned his sustainability, Caglianone's batting average last season does help him in that debate.
The White Sox desperately need playmakers. Starting pitcher Garrett Crochet and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. could be long-term pieces, but they might be dealt at the trade deadline.
Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn have failed to live up to the hype. Drafting Caglianone might help remedy the need for a star who could play the entirety of his career in the Windy City.
Yesavage could be the next ace in waiting for Chicago
With the rate at which velocity and spin rates have taken over MLB, a team can never have too many arms in their system. There has been a systemic problem with pitching injuries over the past few years, as pitchers' elbows and other important body parts keep breaking down.
Well, Yesavage could help with the White Sox's lack of impact arms. The former East Carolina Pirates ace had a dominant 2024 campaign, being named a consensus First-Team All-American.
The right-hander started 15 games for the Pirates, going 11-1 with a 2.02 ERA. He also threw a complete game this season, something that has become a rare occurrence in the pros. He also led the program with 93.1 innings pitched and struck out 145 batters.
After a successful collegiate career, it is safe to say why teams see Yesavage as a potential long-term difference-maker for their pitching staff in the majors. Will the White Sox see him in the same light? Come Sunday, we will see if that is indeed the case.