Don’t tell White Sox scouting director Nick Hostetler safe draft picks exist. They don’t, and Hostetler and the Sox are looking to avoid a bust with the No. 3 pick Monday.
‘‘It’s what keeps us up at night, and that’s what makes this job so hard,’’ Hostetler said. ‘‘I wish we had a magic ball. My favorite line I always hear is, ‘That guy was a safe pick.’ I can promise you none of these guys are safe. They all have volatility to them. It’s just part of what this is.’’
There are many reasons for that volatility. Becoming a pro brings challenges. Amateur hitters are switching from aluminum to wood bats, and the balls are different.
Figuring out who will make the transition is key for Hostetler in what might be the Sox’ last top-three pick for a while.
‘‘There’s just so many things that are different in the college and high school games to the pro game that the variables make it so hard,’’ Hostetler said.
No Moncada
Third baseman Yoan Moncada was available but didn’t play, with manager Rick Renteria using Sunday and the Sox’ day off Monday to give him a little extra rest. Renteria said Moncada has been dealing with ‘‘a leg issue, as a lot of these guys have been dealing with things.’’
‘‘They’ve been playing a lot of games in a short period of time,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘I think it’s time for us to give him a back-to-back day. Today and [Monday] would really be helpful for him.’’
Sunday was the Sox’ 33rd game in 33 days.
‘‘We have to be mindful of where they’re at physically,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘It’s still a long season. He’s been grinding and pushing. These guys that get on base a lot, they’re going to fatigue.’’
Taking the honors
Outfielder Luis Robert (Class AA Birmingham) was named the Sox’ minor-league player of the month for May, and teammate Kyle Kubat was named their minor-league pitcher of the month.
Robert hit .311 with two home runs, 14 RBI, eight stolen bases and 16 runs scored. Kubat, who was promoted to Birmingham from Class A Winston-Salem on April 30, went 3-1 with a 1.38 ERA in six starts.
A familiar name
Right-hander Zach Plesac, the nephew of former major-league pitcher Dan Plesac, allowed one run and four hits and struck out seven in seven innings for the Indians.
Plesac, who is from Crown Point, Indiana, said pitching at Guaranteed Rate Field was ‘‘extremely special.’’
‘‘Before the game I heard a lot of people yelling my name, and to see my family and people I haven’t seen in a long time, it was a special moment for me,’’ he said. ‘‘It was awesome.’’
Jay update
Renteria said outfielder Jon Jay (strained right hip) had been ‘‘pretty active’’ while the Sox were in town but didn’t have a timetable for when he would go on a rehab assignment.
