On their first day of the draft, the White Sox have started to load up on impressive arms.
With the 62nd pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the White Sox selected RHP Peyton Pallette from the University of Arkansas. This is a pretty high-value pick for the White Sox at this spot, and this pick finishes up their first day of drafting.
Background Information
Name: Peyton Pallette
School: University of Arkansas
Position: RHP
Height: 6’1
Weight: 180 lbs
B/T: R/R
DOB: May 9, 2001 (Age: 21)
MLB Pipeline Grades:
- Fastball: 60
- Curveball: 65
- Changeup: 50
- Control: 50
- Overall: 50
Draft Rankings:
- MLB Pipeline: 43rd
- Baseball America: 38th
- Fangraphs: 69th
- Keith Law (The Athletic): 57th
- Prospects Live: 51st
Why it Makes Sense
As previously mentioned, the White Sox were rumored to have identified their pitching staff as a weak link in the minor leagues. With both first-round pick Noah Schultz and now second-round pick Peyton Pallette, the organization has made an effort to rectify this.
Pallette was considered one of the top arms in the class, and likely would’ve been a top 10 pick in this year’s draft had he not undergone Tommy John Surgery this January. Though he will likely be unable to begin his professional career until some time next season, it’s hard to pass up on someone with top 10 talent this season.
Pallette has drawn similarities to Walker Buehler with his frame and quality of stuff. His fastball has climbed as high as 99 mph but routinely sits in the low-to-mid-90s. According to Tyler Jennings of Prospects Live, his curveball is his best secondary pitch, routinely posting spin rates about 3,000+ RPMs. His changeup is a work in progress but has the potential to be an above-average pitch, and it flashes well in its usage.
Before his injury, Pallette posted a 3.79 ERA across two seasons with Arkansas but truly established himself in 2021. He does have a limited track record, but the White Sox are clearly confident enough in his recovery from surgery to take the chance on him here.
It’s clear what the White Sox are trying to do, however. With both Schultz and Pallette, the team has selected pitchers with stellar offspeed stuff. Schultz (Slider) and Pallette (Curveball) both featured breaking balls with over 3,000 RPMs, well into the “elite” range of spin. This is an organization that clearly is prioritizing overall “stuff,” and it will be interesting to see who the White Sox select in Round 3-10 tomorrow.
Pallette, due to his injury, will likely be an underslot pick, giving the White Sox plenty of flexibility heading into Day 2 of the Draft.
Related Article: White Sox Draft Noah Schultz in First Round
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