Chicago White Sox Select Former Boston Red Sox Pitcher in Rule-5 Draft

As the Chicago White Sox attempt to rebuild the roster in 2024, they've selected pitcher Shane Drohan in the Rule-5 Draft.

As the Chicago White Sox attempt to rebuild their roster in 2024, they've selected pitcher Shane Drohan in the Rule-5 draft. Drohan had been with the Boston Red Sox.

Per the team:

The #WhiteSox have selected left-handed pitcher Shane Drohan from the Boston Red Sox organization in the major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

The #WhiteSox have selected left-handed pitcher Shane Drohan from the Boston Red Sox organization in the major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 6, 2023

It's a good move by new general manager Chris Getz, who is getting talented players and giving them opportunities. Chicago won just 61 games a season ago and is looking for talent anywhere it can find it. It's already acquired Mike Soroka from the Atlanta Braves and appears willing to give Drohan an opportunity too.

He'll have to stick on the major league roster all year (if healthy) or be returned to the Red Sox.

While it's uncommon to see Rule-5 players excel, both Anthony Santander (Orioles) and Garrett Whitlock (Red Sox) are recent examples of players who found success with the teams that selected them.

Drohan was the No. 19 prospect in the Red Sox organization, per MLB.com. The following comes from a portion of his prospect profile:

Boston took him with its final pick in the shortened five-round Draft in 2020 and signed him for $600,000, the equivalent of late third-round money. He topped the system in strikeouts (157) and strikeout rate (10.9 per nine innings) while advancing to Double-A in 2022.

Drohan's changeup was his third-best pitch in college but now is his top offering in pro ball, as he delivers his low-80s cambio with deceptive arm speed and its late fade keeps hitters off balance. It works well with his fastball, which sits at 91-93 mph and tops out at 95, playing up a bit with its sink and run. His mid-70s curveball and mid-80s slider/cutter are average breaking pitches but neither is effective against same-side hitters.

Drohan has done a better job of translating his athleticism into strikes as a pro, though his control is still just average at best.

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