Pickett rewarded for faith in ACE program

CHICAGO — The following was the sentiment expressed by Devin Pickett on Nov. 10, 2011, when he joined four other players from the White Sox Amateur City Elite youth baseball program in signing their collegiate letters of intent during a ceremony at the home of the White Sox.

“Words can’t express how much they helped me out,” Pickett said of ACE. “I’ve been playing with the program for a couple of years now. They exposed me to a lot of big-time schools. I couldn’t ask for more. I really appreciate it.”

• Amateur City Elite program

Let’s move forward to Nov. 15, 2016, and to the yearly ACE letter-of-intent signing program at Guaranteed Rate Field. Twelve players took part on this occasion, pushing the total of scholarship participants to more than 130 since the program’s inception in 2007.

Pickett once again spoke, preceding White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams. Only this time, Pickett stood as a graduate from the University of Iowa, a working member of the White Sox baseball operations department and a proud example of the important opportunities provided by ACE.

“I’ve earned a greater appreciation for it now,” said Pickett, who attended Marian Catholic High School before making the journey to Iowa. “I see the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes into it.

“Seeing it translate and being on the other side …

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