With the eighth overall pick in the draft, the White Sox have selected Vanderbilt ace, Carson Fulmer. He was a consensus top ten talent in this year's draft, and was projected to be picked by either the Red Sox or White Sox. Fulmer at times was listed as high as first overall, but Dave Stewart wasn't able to convince the other decision makers in the organization; most notably, Tony La Russa.
Fulmer is the second selection out of Vanderbilt this draft, joining first overall selection (and his roommate) Dansby Swanson. He is expected to join the big-league club in the not-so-distant future, meaning that the White Sox may have two straight years in which their top picks rise quickly to the majors due to the surge of left-hander Carlos Rodon.
Fulmer made a team high sixteen starts in 2015, and posted an ERA of 1.92 in 107.2 innings of work. He pitched three complete games, two of which were shutouts. His K/9 rate was a fantastic 12.34, while his BB/9 rate could use some work, but isn't anything to worry about at 3.44 Fulmer has an electric fastball that reaches the upper 90's, which grades out at 70. He has a devastating curveball, and his changeup is starting to become a reliable out-pitch. He's been named as one of the four finalists for the Golden Spikes award, and has one of the highest ceilings of any pitcher in the draft.
Jim Callis notes that some scouts think Fulmer's future is as an elite closer, as his frame is smaller than the average starter, and his delivery can get out of whack at times. As you can see in the video below, his motion is quick, and fairly violent.