Another pick, another bat, another California high-schooler, as a lefty backstop comes to town
With their fourth round pick (No. 106 overall), the White Sox selected catcher Landon Hodge from Crespi Carmelite (Calif.) H.S. The 6´1´´, 175-pounder is a lefty bat who hits for more average than power, and uses all fields to do it.
MLB had Hodge ranked as the No. 164 prospect in the draft, which is an interesting call given the very first pick on Day 2. Talent as high as No. 35 overall (outfielder Mason Neville, who went to Cincinnati at No. 114) was still on the board.
Although all fourth round picks are commonly thought to be automatic signs, the money (less than a million in bonus) doesn’t not guarantee that. With Hodges committed to LSU, there is no guarantee. That said, the White Sox may like Hodges enough to over-slot his bonus. Surely with the 12 or so hours spent before Day 2, the White Sox shored up an informal agreement with Hodges’ reps.
2024 Chicago White Sox draft picks
First Round No. 10: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) H.S. (slot value $6.24 million)
Second Round No. 44: Jaden Fauske, OF/C, Nazareth Academy (Ill.) ($2.22 million)
Third Round No. 76: Kyle Lodise, SS, Georgia Tech ($1.08 million)
Fourth Round No. 107: Landon Hodges, C, Crespi Carmelite (Calif.) H.S. ($722,600)