The White Sox offseason has been a whirlwind of excitement, with the MLB Draft Lottery taking center stage as the team secured the first overall pick for the first time since 1977. All eyes are on UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, who is poised to be the top pick in the 2026 draft. With qualifying offer players now signed, the White Sox also hold the 41st overall pick, sparking buzz about potential targets.
MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis has weighed in, linking the White Sox to Landon Thome, son of Hall of Famer and front office assistant Jim Thome. The White Sox have a history of drafting players from their Area Code Games team, and Thome fits that mold perfectly. Callis notes that "everyone in baseball knows that Chicago covets Thome."
Ranked as the 42nd best prospect, Landon Thome is known for his impressive hitting skills. A left-handed batter, he combines contact and power, though his future defensive position is still up for debate.
While currently an infielder, some scouts see him transitioning to left field. Committed to Florida State, Thome is expected to pursue a pro career given his projected draft position.
Jim Thome, a White Sox legend from 2006-2009 with 134 home runs, now serves as a special assistant in the front office and as an assistant coach at Nazareth Academy. His son Landon, a standout at the Area Code Games, could be a strategic pick at 41, aligning with his slot value and allowing the White Sox to maximize their bonus pool.
Adding Landon Thome could not only bring a familiar name to the roster but also a promising left-handed hitter. As the White Sox aim to build a robust pipeline of talent, fans have plenty to look forward to with the potential influx of young talent this July.