MLB: 5 can’t-miss prospects ready to debut in 2021
By Nick Stevens
MLB prospects: Andrew Vaughn just about ready for the White Sox
Fans of the Chicago White Sox have a long list of reasons to be excited about the 2021 season, from the additions of Lance Lynn and Liam Hendriks to an enormously talented lineup, with Eloy Jimenez, Jose Abreu, Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada making up the heart of this beast, and a starting rotation ready to welcome back Michael Kopech to the fold.
But the White Sox won’t be waiting long to insert yet another power-hitter to the lineup in top prospect Andrew Vaughn.
The first baseman hit 50 home runs and posted a 1.183 OPS in 160 games at the University of California, earning high praise as one of the more decorated college hitters ever and a first-round pick of the White Sox sure to move up the ranks quickly with his advanced approach at the plate and MLB-ready power.
Vaughn quickly worked his way to High-A in 2019, hitting .252 with a .349 OBP, 11 extra-base hits, and a 17/16 K/BB ratio in 29 games with the Winston-Salem Dash of the Carolina League to close out his 2019 campaign, that after a grueling college season grinding through a competitive Pac-12 conference.
Chicago’s lineup recorded a league-high 13.6 Wins Above Replacement in 2020, finished third among all MLB teams with 96 home runs, and finished fifth in team-slugging percentage (.453). Adding another power hitter like Andrew Vaughn in 2021 will leave opposing pitchers without a single easy out to look forward to when facing this unit.