The Chicago White Sox took shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first pick of the amateur draft this past weekend, and Tampa Bay selected shortstop Grady Emerson one spot later.Yes, both those teams are currently in first place.Pro drafts — even those with lotteries — generally start with some of the weakest teams from the previous season. But because baseball doesn’t conduct its draft until the middle of the ensuing season, sometimes the teams picking at the top have already made impressive strides. The White Sox lost 102 games last year and Tampa Bay dropped 85. Now they’re in contention — and adding possible help for the future via the draft.Here are a few teams that actually reached 90 wins the same year they had the top pick:2008 RAYS (97-65)This was Tampa Bay’s fourth No. 1 pick in a 10-year span, and the Rays haven’t had one since. Starting in that 2008 season, which ended with a World Series appearance, Tampa Bay became a lot more successful. The Rays didn’t take full advantage of that final No. 1 pick, selecting infielder Tim Beckham when Eric Hosmer and Buster Posey went later in the top five.2024 GUARDIANS (92-69)Cleveland won the draft lottery, then proceeded to win the AL Central. The Guardians drafted Travis Bazzana, who made his big league debut earlier this season.1984 METS (90-72)The Mets began their mid-1 …
