Overview
- The Chicago White Sox used the Competitive Balance A pick (No. 34) to select Landon Thome, a Nazareth Academy shortstop, in the first days of the 2026 MLB Draft.
- Landon Thome celebrated the selection at Guaranteed Rate Field by throwing a ceremonial first pitch to his father, Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who serves as a special assistant to GM Chris Getz.
- As a senior Thome hit .535, was named the 2026 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year, recorded a school‑record 49 steals and logged a 91.1 mph average exit velocity.
- Scouts expect Thome to begin pro work at the White Sox draft camp in Charlotte and to move off shortstop to second or third base as he develops in the system.
- The selection follows the Sox using the No. 1 overall pick on Roch Cholowsky and closes the club’s early draft window before a later-day emphasis on college pitchers across rounds 5–20.