White Sox draft New Mexico CF Luis Gonzalez, Louisville reliever Lincoln Henzman on Day 2 – Chicago Tribune

White Sox director of amateur scouting Nick Hostetler received the impression that Libertyville product Evan Skoug might take some motivation in dropping to the Sox in the seventh round of the first-year player draft Tuesday.

Skoug, a catcher and left-handed hitter from TCU, was ranked No. 48 on MLB.com's draft prospects list, but Hostetler said a high strikeout rate in his junior season and questions whether he will stick at catcher likely factored into his slip to 207th overall. The Sox think the strikeout rate could be an anomaly, and Hostetler said he also brings with him "undeniable power" and an aggressive belief he can stay behind the plate.

Skoug was hitting .277 with 20 home runs, 67 RBIs, 39 walks and 87 strikeouts over 63 games for TCU, which advanced to the College World Series.

"He's driven right now," Hostetler said. "There's going to be a little chip on his shoulder. I expect to see a pretty impressive College World Series out of him."

The Sox started the day by selecting New Mexico's Luis Gonzalez in the third round. Hostetler said he's a five-tool player with an advanced approach who can stick in center field.

Gonzalez, a left-handed hitter, hit .361 with 22 doubles, eight homers, 58 walks, 32 strikeouts, 14 stolen bases and a .500 on-base percentage over 55 games this season with New Mexico. He also pitched.

Fourth-round pick Lincoln Henzman, a right-handed Louisville reliever, owns a 1.77 ERA and 16 saves over 35 2/3 innings and 25 appearances. He has walked nine and struck out 36. South Carolina right-hander Tyler Johnson and Louisville right-hander Kade McClure joined the club in the fifth and sixth rounds.

Hostetler said the Sox will stretch all three out to be starters.

Skinny on Sheets: On a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning, Sox second-round pick Gavin Sheets, a Wake Forest first baseman, said he watched a lot of Jim Thome video in honing his approach. Sheets, a power-packed left-handed hitter, hit .317 with 20 homers, 81 RBIs and a .428 on-base percentage in 61 games in his junior season.

"We both have open stances, and he hits for a lot of power," Sheets said. "The biggest adjustment this year I made is focusing on hitting the right pitches, not swinging at pitches that I can't do damage with."

Sheets' father, Larry Sheets, played eight seasons in the majors with the Orioles, Tigers and Mariners, and Sheets said he planned to lean on him for advice.

"He has been a huge help, and going forward he's going to be huge for me as a guy who has lived it and gone through the process," Sheets said. "I'll definitely be in his ear a lot."

Wrapping up: The Sox selected high school first baseman Sam Abbott from Washington, who originally had committed to play water polo in college. Indiana outfielder Craig Dedelow and Oklahoma right-hander JB Olson were their final picks of the day.

The draft continues with rounds 11-40 Wednesday.

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White Sox draft New Mexico CF Luis Gonzalez, Louisville reliever Lincoln Henzman on Day 2 - Chicago Tribune