Pirates watch White Sox take son of MLB Hall of Famer after draft pick trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off a last-minute trade with the Chicago White Sox just ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft. The Pirates sent left-handed prospect Jaden Woods and their Competitive Balance Round A pick to the White Sox in exchange for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert.

On Saturday afternoon, the White Sox used that pick to select Landon Thome, the son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome. The elder Thome was a 22-year Major Leaguer who spent four seasons on the South Side of Chicago, so this is kind of a full circle moment for the five-time All-Star and his son.

White Sox select Jim Thome's son after last minute Draft Day trade with Pirates

The younger Thome is an prep infielder who's committed to play at Florida State next year, though having been taken with the 34th-overall pick, it's likely that he'll forgo that commitment. The 18-year-old is an above-average hitter — no surprise there — and will soon join his former teammate Jaden Fauske, who was drafted by the White Sox in the second-round last year.

Landon Thome has lightning-fast speed on the base paths. While playing for his Illinois-based high school last season, he swiped 54 of 56 bags. Though not necessarily an elite-level athlete, he possesses enough tools to be an impact player at the big-league level if he develops.

The Pirates, on the other hand, surrendered that draft pick in order to shore up their infield with rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin on the injured list. Additionally, Eisert could conceivably help bolster the Bucs' relief corps, but his 5.93 ERA and 1.244 WHIP suggest otherwise.

The trade itself, while underwhelming, should at least be viewed as a competitive move on the part of Ben Cherington and the Pirates front office. Pittsburgh is currently one game over .500 and just four games back in the chase for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

Pirates fans have to hope, however, that Friday's trade with the White Sox was not the last move Cherington and Co. make ahead of the MLB trade deadline. While the Milwaukee Brewers may have an unsurmountable lead in the NL Central, Pittsburgh could easily find their way into the mix of teams contending for a Wild Card spot.

But it's going to take more than a reliever with 5.00-plus ERA and a rookie infielder to move the needle. The Pirates need to become more aggressive before the August 3 deadline passes.

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