The White Sox kept leaning into the outfield in the seventh round of the 2026 MLB draft, and this time they took Clay Burdette from Xavier University with the No. 195 overall pick.
Burdette’s rise has been a pretty sharp one. Only three years ago, he was considered one of the three best shortstops in Ohio, but after transferring from Ohio State to Xavier, he developed into a right fielder.
Chicago clearly liked the package enough to move before its eighth-round selection, even though MLB had him ranked No. 248.
The appeal starts with the tools. Burdette has a strong arm that fits in right field, plus enough speed to handle center field in a pinch. At the plate, he brings real raw power and elite bat speed, and his exit velocities have been among the best in Division I.
There are questions, though, and they help explain why he wasn’t rated higher. He hasn’t piled up a huge sample against top-tier pitching because the Big East doesn’t provide the same level of weekly test, and his approach comes with some swing-and-miss risk. In 2026, he struck out 50 times and drew 23 walks.
For Xavier, the pick carries a nice bit of history: Burdette is now the highest-drafted Musketeers position player ever.
The scouting grades tell the same story. His running ability stands out most, with a 60 grade, but a 40 hit tool pulls his overall evaluation down to 40. That kind of profile can fuel a player, and Burdette looks like someone who may have a point to prove.
He’s expected to get moving quickly and could see time in Kannapolis later this summer.
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