Andrew Vaughn
Andrew Vaughn came to the University of California as an un-drafted infielder looking for somewhere to play. What would develop was a power hitter who would go on to win the Golden Spikes award in 2018, an award given to the best college player in the United States.
In 2018, Vaughn would slash an incredible .402/.531/.819 while belting 23 HR with 63 RBI. He would also draw 44 walks over the season while striking out a paltry 18 times during his 54 games.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
This power and contact ability is something Vaughn has always showcased during his college career. As a freshman in 2017, he would slash .349/.414/.555 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI, an incredible feat for a player who was not drafted out of high school and was playing in his first year of college baseball.
Deemed one of the best hitters in the 2019 draft, the first baseman has been described as an all around hitter with a determined approach at the plate, showcased by his walks to strikeout ratio.
Who will draft him?
I personally don’t believe the Baltimore Orioles or the Kansas City Royals will select Vaughn in the draft. I also don’t think the Chicago White Sox will select him either, but the argument could be made either way.
While he is one of the best all around batters in the draft, the Sox have Jose Abreu entrenched at first base (who is also a good power hitter). The only problem is that Abreu’s contract will make him a free agent in 2020, so they could draft Vaughn and have him be the starting 1B in 2021 or 2022.
It all depends if Abreu becomes a free agent or becomes extended by the Sox, but even if he does get an extension, the White Sox could extend Abreu and have him become a DH (allowing the team to still draft Vaughn).
I personally think the White Sox will instead draft #4 ranked catcher Shea Langeleirs or #5 ranked SS C.J. Abrams. Both players have experience within college baseball and both have their pros, with Langeleirs being one of the best defensive catchers in the draft and Abrams having both power and extreme speed (a rare combination).
The White Sox are thin at both of these positions within their top 30 prospects and the major league starters could both be upgraded by a top prospect.
I will say that I while I do believe the Sox will not draft Andrew Vaughn, it will be hard for the team to pass on one of the best hitters in the 2019 draft (if he is still there).