White Sox disrupt organizational trend with first round pick in 2025 MLB Draft

2025 MLB Draft | Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/GettyImagesAs the Chicago White Sox prepared for the 2024 MLB Draft, many fans had their hopes set on high school athlete Konnor Griffin.

Griffin, a raw but highly talented prospect that needed to be developed, represented the potential five-tool superstar that the White Sox could build a competitive team around.

Instead, Griffin ended up with Pittsburgh, and the White Sox opted for left-handed starting pitcher Hagen Smith out of Arkansas.

Smith was the safer pick. Scouts expected him to be much quicker to the Major Leagues, and the White Sox selecting him continued an organizational trend of selecting the "safe pick" instead of the high-risk,…