3 Things White Sox Fans Need to Know About 2020 First-Round Pick Garrett Crochet
By Michael Luciano
The Chicago White Sox could have gone in several directions with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, but they opted for the college starter route, picking hard-throwing Tennessee left-hander Garrett Crochet.
On the surface, Crochet seems like your standard toolsy prospect with a rocket arm. When you start examining the former Volunteer more closely, however, it becomes clear what a rare breed of player the newest White Sox stud is.
3. He Came To Tennessee Throwing in the Mid 80s and Left Throwing 100 MPH
Garrett Crochet is a heck of a story.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) June 11, 2020
- was headed to a Mississippi JUCO until Tony Vitello got the Tennessee job and swooped him up
- arrived on campus throwing mid-80’s and leaves being able to touch 100
- leaves as a first round pick with millions in his pocket
Crochet was going the junior college route until Tony Vitello, still the main man in Knoxville, came to Tennessee after years as an assistant with Arkansas. Crochet was a soft-tossing lefty without a ton of hope as a pro prospect. By the end of his college tenure, Crochet was a flame-throwing lefty that was picked 11th overall in the MLB Draft. This shows that Crochet is willing to work tirelessly in the name of self-improvement.
2. He Pitched in an NCAA Regional Game With a Broken Jaw...Twice
Hope Vol Nation will remember Garrett Crochet as a kid who pitched in an NCAA regional w a broken jaw - twice. Both were UT wins. pic.twitter.com/vglkfhqqvy
— Tony Vitello (@TonyVitello2) June 10, 2020
Crochet missed out on the SEC Tournament last year after breaking his jaw during his final regular season start. Crochet wasn't going to let an injury like that him from the postseason, however. The lefty pitched a few excellent games in relief during a matchup against UNC Wilmington, proving the kind of heart and determination housed within the newest promising White Sox prospect.
1. He's Earned Comparisons o Andrew Miller
LHP Garrett Crochet out of @UTKnoxville selected by the #WhiteSox at #11. #MLBDraft2020 #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/LtSk5dSqIB
— SadMariner (@sadmariner) June 11, 2020
Miller was picked No. 2 overall as a starter, but rose to fame as a reliever. The White Sox might consider putting Crochet down that path, as their repertoires are frighteningly similar. While the 100 MPH heater will get everyone's attention, it's the wipeout slider that Crochet used to pick up 51% of his strikeouts that really sets him apart. Be it as a starter or reliever, the White Sox added a guy in Crochet who's clearly one of the most unhittable pitchers in college baseball when he has command of his pitches.