With the 259th pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the White Sox used their ninth round selection on right-handed reliever Jack Young of the University of Iowa.

The fact that MLB had a slide ready for Young as opposed to some high-profile guys begs some questions, not the least of which his fastball being listed as 89-91 mph but touching 97:

As you might tell from the photo, Young is a sneaky righty. He’s The 5´10´´ and 185 pounds, throwing as a sidearmer who gives batters a really different look from the mound. As a low-slot pitcher, Young has a dangerous, sweeping slider that helped him to his breakout senior season (2.76 ERA in 28 games).

The White Sox are betting that something has really clicked with Young this past season, as his numbers both at Iowa and Parkland College in Champaign before that would not have warranted a draft pick.

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)

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