The White Sox drafted Oswego East left-hander Noah Schultz 26th overall with their first-round pick in the major league draft Sunday night.
Schultz, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound Vanderbilt recruit, saw his velocity climb this spring, and his slider has been considered his best pitch. The tallest player in the draft, Schultz delivers from a three-quarters arm slot. Schultz’ velocity made advances this year, and at one point reportedly touched 98 mph.
The 26th pick has a slot value of $2,788,000, and Schultz is expected to sign. After missing much of his senior season with mononucleosis, he faced college hitters in the Prospect League and posted a 0.93 ERA in six starts covering 19 1/3 innings, racking up 37 strikeouts and allowing seven walks.
“Noah is a rare talent, and it was a bit unexpected to us that he would be available at pick No. 26,” Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said. “We could not be more excited about his future.”
Shirley said Schultz is athletic for his size.
“Noah has a huge ceiling, can anchor a rotation down the road and will be part of something very special for the White Sox. His talent and character speak loudly today, and we believe will be even louder in the future.
“You just don’t see these guys every day. He’s a unique talent.”
MLB.com ranked Schultz as the No. 49 prospect in the draft. Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 1 prospect in Illinois.
Schultz is the first high school pitcher taken by the Sox in the first round since Kris Honel of Providence in 2001.
“Yes, so, my heart stopped,” Schultz said Sunday night. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Major Leagues. And being drafted by the hometown team, it’s something I’ve been looking forward to my entire life. It was surreal.”
Schultz said his father is a Dodgers fan, and he was neither a Cubs or Sox fan.
With their second-round pick (62nd overall), the Sox chose Arkansas right-hander Peyton Pallette.
The second day of the draft Monday (rounds 3-10) saw the Sox select four more pitchers, three infielders and one catcher.
The draft concludes Tuesday with rounds 11-20.
