​The White Sox wrapped up Day 1 of the draft with a back-to-back tackle on pitching arms, selecting Eric Segura at the 105th overall pick. Segura, a right-handed swingman from Oregon State University, stood out as a more affordable choice since he ranked as MLB’s 196th-best prospect on the draft board. This marks the first pick of the day for Chicago that comes from a lower position, suggesting a potential money-saving maneuver by the organization. Yet Segura’s resume hints at more than just a bargain bin selection; he has compelling upside that teams typically weigh when considering a later-round arm.
Segura earned his way into the Beavers’ rotation as a freshman, a testament to his adaptability and competitiveness. After spending his sophomore year working primarily from the bullpen, he followed up with an outstanding junior season in 2026. He posted a 2.22 ERA that ranked among the top 10 in NCAA Division I pitchers, and he markedly reduced his walk rate compared with 2025. Those improvements, combined with a refinable slider, have led evaluators to view Segura as a pitcher with the potential to contribute in a variety of roles at the professional level. While he may not be pigeonholed into a single bullpen niche, the evidence suggests he could develop into a versatile asset.
Segura’s delivery is the classic “sidewinder” with a smooth, deceptive motion, and while his overall arsenal may not overwhelm hitters, his fastball sits comfortably in the mid-90s. The trajectory of his college career points to a pitcher who is smart, crafty, and capable of adjusting on the fly, traits that scouts value highly when projecting future role flexibility.
In terms of his track record as a pro prospect, Segura carried a reasonable workload during his college stint as a weekend starter—15 games and 73 innings—indicating he can handle a structured rotation and a steady pace of competition. For the White Sox, the immediate plan appears clear: slot Segura into a depth role at Kannapolis later this summer, allowing him to gain important everyday repetitions and begin to refine his role for 2027, his first full season in the upper levels of the minors. The goal is to watch how his pitch mix, especially the slider, plays against more experienced hitters and to determine whether his ceiling includes a bullpen piece or a multi-inning starter down the line.
The 2026 White Sox draft cycle remains a central narrative, with continued coverage detailing every selection, evaluation, and development as the organization builds toward its long-term goals. This year’s draft class and the early returns on Segura will be revisited as part of that ongoing story, with editors and analysts tracking how his profile evolves from the college stage to professional baseball.