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AL Central: Team needs, possible fits for 2016 MLB draft

Hard-throwing pitcher Carson Fulmer, from Vanderbilt, fits the mold of the type of player the White Sox like to draft early. Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports

For the fourth straight year, we're doing a comprehensive audit of every organization in baseball leading up to the MLB draft.

By examining where each team's strengths and weaknesses lie -- and with a working knowledge of its typical draft strategy and tendencies -- we can get a sense of which player each team will select when the draft begins.

Click on the player names of the possible fits to get a full scouting report for that player. Also, the number in parentheses in the bonus-pool area is their rank among MLB teams, from most money (Reds are 1st) to least (Cubs at 30th).

Division-by-division draft outlook

AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West


Chicago White Sox
First pick: No. 10 overall
Bonus pool: $9,416,600 (7th)

System strength: Power arms and power bats. Carson Fulmer, Jordan Stephens and Robinson Leyer will all touch 96 mph, and Blake Hickman might do the same once he has recovered from Tommy John surgery. Micker Adolfo, Corey Zangari and Franklin Reyes all have plus power projection, and Courtney Hawkins is starting to pick it up at Double-A.

System weakness: Few of the White Sox's arms are no-doubt starting-pitcher prospects, even Fulmer. We're still waiting on some of the recent high-profile international signings to get going. Adolfo struggled for two years against Arizona League (rookie ball) pitching while Amado Nunez has been hurt.

Recent rop picks
2015: Carson Fulmer, RHP, No. 8
2014: Carlos Rodon, LHP, No. 3
2013: Tim Anderson, SS, No. 17
2012: Courtney Hawkins, OF, No. 13
2011: Keenyn Walker, OF, No. 47

Possible fits

Dakota Hudson, RHP, Mississippi State: The White Sox have drafted college pitching each of the past two years, and with Florida lefty A.J. Puk likely to be gone by the time they pick, Hudson likely will be the best college arm on the board at that point.

Blake Rutherford, OF, Chaminade College Prep (West Hills, California): Now that Mickey Moniak has passed Rutherford on most teams' draft boards, Rutherford could get to pick No. 10 if just one or two teams in front of the White Sox are in love with a prep arm like Braxton Garrett or Matt Manning, or if someone is engaging in some underslot shenanigans with a college bat like Zack Collins. He'd be great value at 10.

Robert Tyler, RHP, Georgia: The White Sox pick again at 26, where college pitching will again be within selection range. Tyler is a two-pitch guy with control issues, but so was Carlos Rodon during his junior year. Jordan Sheffield could make sense at 26 if the Sox think he can start. Alec Hansen could be an option here or at pick 49 with the right financial maneuvering.


Cleveland Indians
First pick: No. 14
Bonus pool: $7,499,600 (16th)