The White Sox kept swinging big in the 2026 MLB draft, and their latest move came with a familiar theme: talent first, money second.
With the No. 345 overall pick in the 12th round, Chicago selected Vanderbilt outfielder Braden Holcomb, the No. 226 MLB prospect. It came on the heels of the club agreeing to push the bonus high enough to land prep standout Kyle Casteel, another sign the White Sox are willing to work the bonus pool to pull players away from their amateur commitments.
Holcomb brings a lot to the table. He has experience at five positions, is a physical player with football background, and adds sneaky speed to the mix. The upside is obvious enough that he was viewed as a player worthy of the early part of Day 2.
So why was he still on the board this late? The answer starts with the bat.
Holcomb had 63 strikeouts in 2026, and his NCAA career has featured more than twice as many strikeouts as walks. There’s also a question about where he fits defensively, since his ability to move around the diamond may say as much about the lack of a true home as it does about versatility.
Even with those concerns, the ceiling is loud. Holcomb has the kind of power potential that could reach 30 homers if the swing-and-miss gets cleaned up. He could be headed to Kannapolis later this summer, where the White Sox will get to work on his swing and figure out where he belongs on the field.
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