The deadline to sign 2009 draft picks is less than three days away (11 p.m. central Monday) and the White Sox still have two of their top eight picks unsigned.

The above-slot signings from around the league have been flowing in at a rapid rate the last couple days and that will continue, but there has been little news on the White Sox front. Four notable picks remain unsigned and third rounder Bryan Morgado is the only one from college. Justin Jones (7th round), Dane Williams (15th) and Brian Goodwin (17th) are three talented high school prospects with strong college commitments.

Morgado has some unique circumstances surrounding him. He pitched for Tennessee last season, but wasn’t going to return to the Vols whether he signed or not. He improved his stock and leverage by pitching well at the Cape Cod League (32.1 IP, 3.06 ERA, 47 K, 15 BB). Obviously the control will have to improve, but this helps put to rest some of the concerns about his struggles in the spring. Adding another twist is that Tennessee now is trying to get the lefty to come back to school for what would be his junior season. The Sox will have to go over slot for Morgado and have supposedly offered such, but it looks like a coin flip right now.

Jones, another left-handed pitcher, appears set to honor his commitment to Cal. It’s not completely over, but the Sox seem very unlikely to sign the northern California product. Williams is likely to honor his North Carolina State commitment as well. The right-handed pitcher was always expected to do so unless the Sox wowed him with an offer and it appears they have not done so. Goodwin has long said he wanted to go to North Carolina and it is nothing new to say the centerfielder will not be turning pro.

As it stands, Morgado is the only of the four that the Sox have a good chance of signing. The White Sox lost two young lefties in the Jake Peavy trade so it would be nice to replenish the spot in the minor league system. We don’t know enough about the negotiations with Morgado to make a good judgment, but it sounds positive enough that the Sox could strike a deal. However, it would be a stunner to see any of the high schoolers sign, which is slightly disappointing because Jones had some positive write-ups on him following his senior year.