White Sox select OF Jaden Fauske in the second round of the 2025 draft (No. 44 overall)

The developing theme for this draft class? Young position players

With their second round pick (No. 44 overall), the White Sox selected outfielder-catcher Jaden Fauske from Nazareth Academy (Ill.). The 6´3´´, 220-pound prep has experience behind the plate as well, but is expected to be an outfielder first.

Fauske was Illinois’ High School Player of the Year and was a Roadrunners teammate of Jim Thome’s son, Landon, and benefited from the Hall-of-Famer’s tutelage. The lefty hitter/righty thrower was also a member of Chicago’s Area Code Games team, as was last year’s second-rounder, Caleb Bonemer.

MLB had Fauske ranked as the No. 57 prospect in the draft, so not a massive cut in talent at this spot. Fauske is committed to play at Louisiana State in 2026, so it’s not known whether the White Sox will have to exceed the $2.22 million designated for this slot to sign him.

2024 Chicago White Sox draft picks

First Round No. 10: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) H.S. (slot value $6.24 million)
Second Round No. 44: Jaden Fauske, OF/C, Nazareth Academy (Ill.) ($2.22 million)