With the 289th pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the White Sox used their 10th round selection on outfielder Cole McConnell of Louisiana Tech.

The 6´1´´, 210 Bulldog is a hit-first prospect, bringing power and pop. In a rare move for the Mike Shirley drafts, McConnell was selected in spite of some significant swing-and-miss. But his upside is power, along with speed that could see him take some reps sliding over from the corner and into center field.

An uncommon flag with McConnell is that he was suspended after the first series of the 2023 season for violating team rules, an infraction apparently so severe is saw him remain inactive all season after that.

Despite the severity of the punishment, McConnell spent all season with the team in practice, and continued to be a beloved teammate.

Cole McConnell’s Baseball Cube Talent Ratings
Durability 80
Hitting 76
RBIs 64
Speed 61
Power 57
Runs 55
Contact 53
XBH 48

2024 Chicago White Sox Draft Picks
First Round (No. 5 overall) Hagen Smith, LSHP (ranked No. 5 on MLB Pipeline)
Second Round (No. 43 overall) Caleb Bonemer, SS (ranked No. 71)
Second Round Competitive Balance Round B (No. 68 overall) Blake Larson (ranked No. 104)
Third Round (No. 78 overall) Nick McLain, OF (ranked No. 129)
Fourth Round (No. 107 overall) Casey Saucke, OF (ranked No. 127)
Fifth Round (No. 140 overall) Sam Antonacci, SS (ranked No. 201)
Sixth Round (No. 169 overall) Jackson Appel, C (not ranked)
Seventh Round (No. 199 overall) Phil Fox, RHRP (not ranked)
Eighth Round (No. 229 overall) Aaron Combs, RHRP (not ranked)
Ninth Round (No. 259 overall) Jack Young, RHRP (not ranked)
10th Round (No. 289 overall) Cole McConnell, OF (not ranked)

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