The Chicago White Sox extended their lead in the American League Central Friday night with an 8-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was a great night led by the team’s first-round draft selections as both Andrew Vaughn and Jake Burger, in his major league debut, record multiple hits. Rick Hahn deserves a lot more credit for the success the White Sox have had with their first-round draft selections since 2013.

Hahn’s Turnaround Of The White Sox Organization Is Truly Remarkable

Although Hahn has been with the White Sox organization since 2000, he has made a massive difference for the organization since his promotion to general manager at the end of the 2012 season. He replaced then-general manager Kenny Williams, who, although built a championship team in 2005, had struggled for years to successfully draft quality players. One year after Hahn’s promotion to the general manager position, The White Sox began their current run of successful first-round draft selections.

White Sox beat the Tigers, 8-2

If you’re a White Sox draft pick, you probably feasted. A big effort by Lance Lynn was backed up by a late wave of run support, as Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets homered and Jake Burger got two knocks.

Sox are 49-32, lead the central by six games

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) July 3, 2021

The first selection of Hahn’s general manager tenure came in 2013 when the team selected shortstop Tim Anderson with the 17th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. The following year, the White Sox selected starting pitcher Carlos Rodon with the third selection in the 2014 MLB Draft. Anderson has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball as he won the American League batting title in 2019. Rodon, although his career has been severely limited by injuries, currently is a CY Young favorite this season as he has a 2.37 ERA through 14 starts.

In 2016, the White Sox overhauled their minor league structure and made a significant focus to improve their ability to develop players at the minor league level. Since that point, Chicago has drafted Zack Collins, Zack Burdi, Jake Burger, Nick Madrigal, Andrew Vaughn, and Garrett Crochet. All of the first-round players that have been drafted have played for the White Sox in the last two seasons, with all but one demonstrating some form of success. It is the draft success that has provided Chicago with much needed depth this season to overcome injuries to several important players on the roster.

With Jake Burger called up, the #WhiteSox have seven of their former first round picks on the 26 man roster. Rodon, Anderson, Collins, Burger, Madrigal, Vaughn, Crochet

— Matt (@soxfangrubb) July 2, 2021

Hahn’s Success Could Pay Off Shortly For The White Sox and Himself

Shockingly, Hahn isn’t being discussed nationally as one of the best executives and best minds in all of baseball after looking back at the success he has had rebuilding the White Sox minor league system. Before his promotion with the White Sox in 2012, he was highly sought after by other teams as he constantly interviewed for general manager open positions. Sports Illustrated and Baseball Prospectus ranked Hahn as the best general manager candidate in 2007 and 2010.

Chicago White Sox senior vice president/general manager Rick Hahn has been chosen as the 2020 Sporting News Major League Baseball Executive of the Year! Hahn received the support of participating executives across MLB. pic.twitter.com/fUSBsIrsaY

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 15, 2020

The draft success and the depth created now gives the White Sox a significant advantage with the impending trade deadline on July 30th. With a potential need for either relief pitching and an infielder, Chicago could part with either Burger or Sheets instead of Vaughn or minor league pitcher Jared Kelly for a top-tier reliever or a potential All-Star second baseman in Adam Frazier. Where other MLB teams may have to part with their top-rated prospects, Chicago’s trade offers with lower-rated prospects still may win out in trade negotiations due to the team’s ability to draft talent.

After a couple close calls with Eduardo Escobar, the White Sox are also thought to be taking a close look at Pirates All-Star Adam Frazier. Talks are ongoing. Fit makes great sense but price tag has to be much higher.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 2, 2021

If the White Sox do make a deep playoff run or win the World Series in the next few seasons, team owner Jerry Reinsdorf will have an important decision to make regarding Hahn. With the amount of success his general manager, opposing teams may want to hire Hahn as a president of an organization to enact a rebuild. It may in Reinsdorf’s best interest to look to move Williams to another role within the White Sox organization to ensure that the White Sox can promote Hahn to keep him.

The White Sox are in a great position to be successful, and it is due in part to Hahn’s overhaul when it comes to the team’s drafting. In the mid to late 2000s, the White Sox repeatedly missed on their first-round draft selections year after year, as none would make it to the big leagues. Friday night’s victory against the Tigers demonstrated just how far the team has come under Rick Hahn, and it is because of that turnaround that Chicago’s general manager deserves all the acclaim and accolades.