White Sox Sign Top Pick 6/18/12
By: Scott Leber
Updated: June 18, 2012
CHICAGO - The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with outfielder Courtney Hawkins, their first pick (13th overall) in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Hawkins, 18, batted .437 (45-138) with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, 56 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, a .580 on-base and .874 slugging percentage in 36 regular-games with the Tigers this season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder also went 5-2 with a 0.96 ERA (5 ER/36.1 IP), 57 strikeouts and one save as a pitcher.
Hawkins, a native of Corpus Christi, was rated by Baseball America as the Second Best Power Hitter among high school players. The ESPNHS Gatorade Texas Baseball Player of the Year signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at the University of Texas.
Hawkins played for the West squad in the 2011 Double Duty Classic at U.S. Cellular Field and was named co-Most Valuable Player.
Hawkins, who was recommended by White Sox scout Keith Staab, will begin his professional career with Advanced Rookie Bristol of the Appalachian League.
