2025 South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 100: Cole McConnell
This lefty can get on base and take it yard
Cole McConnell
Center Fielder
6´1´´
210 pounds
Age: 24
First Appearance on the South Side Sox Top 100
2024 High Level Louisiana Tech (NCAA)
Age relative to high level +1.4 years
SSS rank among all center fielders in the system 7
Overall 2024 season stats 60 games ⚾️ 18 HR ⚾️ 71 RBI ⚾️ .378/.461/.671 ⚾️ 29 BB ⚾️ 71 K ⚾️ 1-of-2 (50%) SB ⚾️ .990 FLD%
The White Sox selected McConnell in Round 10 (No. 289) of the 2024 MLB Draft. The lefty played five seasons for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, including the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and a brief four-game stint in 2023 due to a season-long suspension for violating team rules. Despite the hiccups, McConnell was solid at LT, slashing .347/.431/.558 with 31 homers and 179 RBI over 187 games. He ended his notable Louisiana Tech career ranking fifth in school history in RBI (179), sixth in hits (249), and fifth in doubles (55).
Additionally, the center fielder earned two selections on the First Team All-Conference USA squad. He was also one of 68 semifinalists in 2024 for the Dick Howser Trophy, which is the most prestigious award in college baseball; players are considered for the trophy based on performance, leadership, moral character, and courage. You may recognize the names of a few former recipients: Robin Ventura (1988), Alex Fernandez (1990), and Andrew Benintendi (2015).
As demonstrated by his impressive slash line, the Texas native puts the ball in play, can knock it out of the yard, and drives runners home — all things the White Sox so desperately need. However, the concern lies with his 24% K-rate. He needs to work on getting that south of 20% to play at the big league level. If he can do that, Chicago could find themselves with an on-base machine who can also hit for power. Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
LEADER OF THE MON⭐️
— Diamond Dogs (@LATechBSB) April 28, 2024
WALK OFF THREE-RUN JACK pic.twitter.com/1FeA9gEb37
McConnell’s Baseball Cube player ratings
Hitting 81
RBIs 72
Power 67
Runs 60
XBH 54
Speed 52
Contact 47
McConnell is a bit of a question mark when it comes to his starting point and trajectory in 2025. As a draft pick with solid college experience, he should touch down with Low-A Kannapolis in April, although there is a possibility that McConnell is eased into pro ball with extended time at Camelback Ranch and move to the Cannon Ballers later in spring.