The Washington Huskies added another player to their growing list of MLB draft selections on Monday, when pitcher Max Banks heard his name called in the 14th round by the Chicago White Sox.
Banks, who transferred to Washington after three seasons at Chapman University, starred at the top of coach Eddie Smith’s rotation after his 2024 season was cut short with an injury. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and CSC Academic All-District Team after accumulating a 7-4 record during his one season in purple and gold.
He was one of the best pitchers in the Big Ten, finishing No. 6 in the conference in wins (7), No. 7 in ERA (3.67), No. 8 in hits allowed per nine innings (7.21), and No. 10 in WHIP (1.18). Banks also led the Huskies with a .222 batting average against and 65 strikeouts as Smith’s team finished the year with a 29-28 record, and 17-13 in conference play, which was good for No. 5 in Washington’s first year in the new conference.
Banks was a dominant force during conference play, as the Huskies won nine of their ten series openers against Big Ten opponents with him on the mound. Now with the White Sox, he is a promising prospect with upside as a starter for a team that is desperately in need of pitching.
He could move through the organization quickly thanks to his experience at the college level, and while he likely won’t be ranked as one of Chicago’s top prospects — with left-handers Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith highlighting their system — the Washington product has intriguing upside and could turn some heads for a team that ranks No. 21 in the MLB in team ERA and hits allowed this season.
Banks was the only Husky to hear his name called in the 20-round draft, which also featured former UW infielder Aiva Arquette, who was taken No. 7 overall by the Miami Marlins.