​The White Sox continued to mine the high school ranks in the sixth round by selecting Alex Weingartner from St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) High School with the No. 166 overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft. Weingartner was known as a pitcher who touched 95-96 mph on the mound entering his senior year, but his profile shifted toward a stronger emphasis on hitting as he closed out his high school career. He climbed to No. 159 on MLB’s pre-draft board, a reflection of growing interest that suggested the White Sox acquired a bit of a steal by grabbing him while he remained available.
With a lower selection, there could be questions about whether the White Sox can offer a bonus large enough to sway Weingartner away from his commitment to Penn State. Still, it’s clear the organization isn’t taking a gamble with a sixth-round pick; they appear to be addressing a real need and aiming to develop a player with upside. The defensive position for Weingartner, however, remains a bit of a puzzle. In high school he functioned as a shortstop and pitcher, yet the Sox announced him as an outfielder in their drafting call. Regardless of where he lines up in the field, Weingartner’s speed stands out, with both his raw sprint speed and overall baserunning value rated in the 60-grade range. His standout speed was on full display when he blazed a 6.24-second 60-yard dash at an offseason showcase, a time that helped shift evaluators’ perceptions and likely contributed to the belief that he has the speed to handle center field and an arm capable of handling right field duties.
Offensively, Weingartner projects to have solid raw power, roughly in the 50-grade category. What might have kept him from being a first-round consideration is a longer swing that some evaluators worry could hinder his ability to catch up to higher velocity pitching as he advances. Still, the White Sox see a player with enough upside to contribute, and they likely anticipate that his hitting will play up with professional development.
Expect Weingartner to come out of the gates with a plan to make an immediate impact, potentially getting time in Kannapolis later this summer as the organization continues to evaluate how he fits within their system and what kind of ceiling he can reach. The sixth-round selection represents a calculated bet on a high-upside, high-speed talent whose ceiling remains intriguing as he progresses through development and adjustment to professional pitching.
This season’s White Sox draft coverage is part of our ongoing 2026 draft storytelling, offering a comprehensive look at every selection and the implications for both organizational needs and the players’ paths to the majors.