DALLAS -- The 121 losses endured by the 2024 White Sox would have derived the organization one major benefit in years past: The top pick in the 2025 Draft.

But that benefit doesn’t exist in the Draft Lottery era, with the White Sox set to select at No. 10 overall. As MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo explained Tuesday when discussing the Nationals earning the No. 1 pick, “The White Sox and A’s would have qualified for the Lottery based on their 2024 record but were not eligible to participate. The White Sox received a Lottery pick in the 2024 Draft, and they are a “payor club” -- a team that gives rather than receives revenue sharing dollars; those clubs are not allowed to have consecutive Lottery picks.”

"My preference would be to be able to go inside the top 10. The rules are the rules,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said. “There's nothing I can do about it.

“I'm not going to lose sleep over it. That's just the current setup of the CBA right now, and we'll try to maximize with what was given to us from the Draft Lottery and continue to build toward a competitive Major League club, which we feel like we're on the right track for."

Left-hander Hagen Smith was the White Sox top pick in the 2024 Draft, selected at No. 5 overall. That selection slot was one lower than the White Sox would have had, been based on their 101 losses in ’23.

They will have the top pick in every other round in ‘25, trying to contribute to the White Sox overall rebuild process.

“Yes, sir. That will be the best part,” White Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said. “We are hoping that gives you some security. You can secure a good player in each and every round. It’s the rules. It’s how the CBA is built. What are you going to do?”

Shirley prefers high-end, premium high school players in the early stages of the Draft. Picking No. 10 might give the White Sox that opportunity with other teams feeling safer via the top-notch college talent at the top. Then again, picking No. 1 always is the best option.

“Amen,” Shirley said with a laugh. “But it never changes things. As I’ve stated before, it’s really important we get the Draft right each and every year. It’s the most important piece of how you build a franchise.

“You can do significant damage and build security to your franchise just by drafting well. It’s the safest play you can make. We are always prepared and diligent in our work and the White Sox scouting staff will do the absolute best job we can to secure the best player at 10.”