Going to White Sox ‘would be a great story’ for Mount Carmel shortstop Ed Howard

Ed Howard to the White Sox with the 11^th pick in the draft Wednesday would be a selection made in match game heaven.

Howard grew up in the south suburbs (South Holland and Lynwood), attended Mount Carmel High School at 64^th and Dante and was part of the Sox’ ACE program. What’s more, he has forged a friendship with Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. Howard figures to get picked in the first round, although Sox first-year scouting director Mike Shirley hasn’t exactly sent strong signals to suggest Howard is on the Sox’ top 11 possibilities.

Shirley might be just holding his cards close to his vest. But the 6-2, 185-pound shortstop won’t shed any tears if he doesn’t go to the Sox. Howard, who said he likes the Cubs also, he plans to watch the draft Wednesday [ESPN, MLB Network, 6 p.m.] with his family.

“Yeah, I was a Sox fan, and I went to more Sox games because it’s closer to home,” Howard told the Sun-Times recently. “But I like both teams, honestly. I think it was getting out there that I’m just a diehard Sox fan, but the reality is I like both of them. I liked the Cubs having their run, playing in the playoffs [and winning the World Series in 2016] things like that. I’m just a fan of baseball.”

Going to the Sox “would be a great story,” he said. “But obviously I can’t control that and whatever happens, happens. It’s not something I’m thinking about too hard.”

Howard watched the NFL Draft on television with his family and saw the Bears select tight end Cole Kmet of Notre Dame and St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights with the 43^rd overall pick. Kmet grew up a Bears fan.

The draft will be only five rounds this year instead of 40. Like the NFL Draft, it will be a virtual event.

“It was exciting to see those guys in their homes,” Howard said. “The MLB draft will be similar. It’s been kind of a dream, about being in that situation.”

While mock drafts are linking North Carolina State catcher Ed Bailey and Louisville left-hander Reid Detmers to the Sox, most project Howard going in the middle or second half of the first round.

“You know what he’s capable of doing,” Shirley said. “He’s done well for himself. I like Ed Howard, the kid, a lot. I like his family. I wish him the best. I really do. He’s a player we continue to talk about.”

“Going back to what we value most,” Sox vice president Ken Williams said, “the character of the young man, the way he presents himself in a confident way but a humble confident way — not arrogant at all — just in his belief in what he brings to the table, he’s going to be not only a good major league player but a good teammate and ultimately a good father and a good representative of whatever community of whatever team drafts him. He’s a solid young man and I look forward to seeing how his future plays out.”

The first 37 picks will take place Wednesday, with the Tigers leading off the first round and the Orioles second. The Astros forfeited their first round pick because of the sign-stealing scandal.