Vaughn will start in left field Friday against the Brewers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox are scrambling to fill in for injured left fielder Eloy Jimenez, who will miss a minimum of five months with a ruptured left pectoral tendon. Vaughn, who is projected to be team's primary designated hitter, will get his first exposure to the outfield Friday while the team evaluates other internal options, including Adam Engel (hamstring), Leury Garcia, Billy Hamilton and Nick Williams.

Vaughn could play some left field in 2021 with Eloy Jimenez (shoulder) sidelined, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn is on track to make the White Sox's Opening Day roster and should mainly serve as the team's primary designated hitter. However, Jimenez will be sidelined five to six months since he'll require surgery to repair a ruptured left pectoral tendon, and Adam Engel (hamstring) will also miss several weeks. As a result, general manager Rick Hahn said Thursday that Vaughn could see some time in left field this year. Vaughn hasn't yet played above the High-A level but has hit .286 with two home runs, five RBI and one stolen base this spring. He'll start in left field during Friday's Cactus League game against the Brewers and should see extra time there over the final few spring matchups, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Vaughn is expected to make the White Sox's Opening Day roster and should begin the season as the team's primary designated hitter, barring an injury late in spring training, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn has yet to make his MLB debut and is unlikely to work out a long-term contract extension before Opening Day that would allow the organization to buy out his arbitration years, but Chicago apparently won't play service-time games with its top hitting prospect. Despite having yet to play above the High-A level since being drafted in the first round of the 2019 first-year player draft, Vaughn more than held his own in summer camp last season and during spring training this year, which has convinced the White Sox he's ready for look in the big leagues. Through 20 Cactus League games to date, Vaughn has slashed .289/.396/.489 with two home runs, a stolen base and a 7:9 BB:K. Vaughn has typically occupied a bottom-three spot in the batting order when the White Sox have used lineups consisting mostly of regulars, but the top-to-bottom strength of the starting nine should make a lower placement less punitive for the 22-year-old in terms of run-producing and run-scoring opportunities than if he were on another team.

The White Sox have engaged Vaughn in discussions on a contract extension this spring, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Through 13 games in Cactus League play, Vaughn has impressed in his bid for an Opening Day roster spot, slashing .273/.385/.394 while striking out eight times in 33 at-bats. Though Vaughn has yet to make his MLB debut, the White Sox have already identified the 22-year-old first baseman as a core player. Rather than having to manipulate Vaughn's service time by keeping him in the minors to begin the season, the White Sox are hoping he's receptive to an extension that would grant him more financial security early in his career, albeit at a club-friendly price that would push back his free agency. Chicago was able avoid service-time games last year with another top prospect in Luis Robert -- who signed a six-year, $50 million deal with two club options prior to Opening Day -- but a similar deal for Vaughn isn't yet believed to be imminent. Expect negotiations with Vaughn to continue over the next two weeks, but if a deal can't be reached, he may end up waiting until the second half of April to debut with the White Sox.

Vaughn went 1-for-2 with a walk, a three-run home run and an additional run in Tuesday's spring game against Texas.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn lifted a first-inning, three-run homer off Kohei Arihara, his first long ball of Cactus League play. The 2019 third-overall draft pick also has three walks through his first two spring training games. Vaughn is projected as the team's starting designated hitter, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com, and the rookie's plate approach and power potential appears ready for MLB.

Vaughn took his first batting practice of training camp Monday, Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn is the latest White Sox prospect entering spring training with buzz. In 2019 it was Eloy Jimenez and last year Luis Robert was the toast of camp. Both of those players cemented full-time roles in the lineup, and now Vaughn begins his competition for the open designated hitter job. The 2019 third-overall draft pick hasn't played above Single-A, but decision-makers in the organization feel he's ready to hit MLB pitching.

General manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday that Vaughn is "very much in the mix" to make the Opening Day roster, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn is one of the organization's top prospects, and he was invited to major-league spring training ahead of the 2021 season. The 22-year-old has appeared in just 55 minor-league games, slashing .278/.384/.449 with six home runs and 36 RBI. Hahn has said he's a viable option at designated hitter in 2021 and there wouldn't have been much doubt regarding Vaughn's major-league readiness if there had been a minor-league season in 2020, offering optimism he could make the club to begin the 2021 campaign.

Vaughn received an invitation to major-league camp Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn is still just 22 years old and has a mere 55 professional games under his belt, but he's an advanced hitter whose big-league debut may not be far off. Under ordinary circumstances, he probably would have spent last year in the upper minors and could have even pushed for a callup with some strong performances, but the canceled minor-league season robbed him of that opportunity. While he may not be given serious consideration for an Opening Day spot, he could be with the team fairly early in the season if he looks good in camp and in the minors.

Vaughn is a viable option at designated hitter in 2021, according to general manager Rick Hahn, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago's top prospect and a top-10 fantasy prospect in the game, Vaughn spent the summer impressing White Sox brass at the alternate training site. He has an excellent command of the strike zone and connects with plus power to all fields. Considering he has never played at Double-A or Triple-A, Vaughn shouldn't be expected to win a job in spring training, but he could be assigned to Triple-A with a chance for a first-half call-up.

Vaughn worked out extensively at third base Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaughn, the White Sox's first-round pick (third overall) in 2020, is viewed as the first baseman of the future, but the White Sox feel he can handle the additional position. "There are several of us that believe he's capable of moving around. He's got really good feet, his exchange is very good, got a very good arm. He has all the makings of being able to play that position," said manager Rick Renteria. With Yoan Moncada (undisclosed) not working out with the team, there are available reps at third base for Vaughn, although he is not expected to open the season on the 30-man game roster.