​The White Sox pulled off a back-to-back, forceful outfield-focused move in the seventh round, selecting Clay Burdette from Xavier University with the No. 195 pick in the 2026 MLB draft. Three years ago, Burdette was regarded as one of the top three shortstops in Ohio, but he has since blossomed into a standout right fielder after transferring from Ohio State to Xavier. Although MLB’s board ranked him 248th, the White Sox were wary that Burdette might be gone by their eighth-round pick and chose him anyway, valuing his potential even with a lower overall ranking.
There isn’t an obvious reason for Burdette’s relatively modest ranking in the MLB prospect lists. He possesses a strong arm for right field and enough speed to handle center field if needed. He also wields a rare combination of raw power and rapid bat speed, with exit velocities that rank among the best in Division I. Yet his performance against higher-level competition—particularly in a smaller conference like the Big East, where Xavier competes—has limited him to fewer plate appearances against top-tier pitching. He also displays some swing-and-miss tendencies and selectivity concerns, evidenced by 50 strikeouts to 23 walks in 2026.
For Xavier fans, Burdette’s seventh-round selection marks him as the highest-drafted Musketeers position player in program history. On the surface, his scouting profile is impressive for a seventh-round pick, with his speed and defensive versatility standing out, earning a running score of 60. However, his hit tool sits at 40, which drags his overall evaluation to 40. That gap suggests Burdette will need to prove he can translate raw tools into consistent hitting at the pro level.
Expect Burdette to hit the ground running and receive opportunities in Kannapolis later this summer, as a player who has been somewhat overlooked until now and who must prove his mettle at the higher levels. The 2026 White Sox draft storystream contains all of our draft coverage, and this piece is part of that broader narrative, aimed at enhancing search visibility while telling Burdette’s early pro story in depth.