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Summary
Always in a state of flux, the White Sox system is once again one of the
thinner in baseball. In addition, there are decidedly few high impact prospects
advancing towards the big club. So, for now, Chicago will hope that the cream
of their crop (Gordon Beckham and Aaron Poreda) can overcome some potential
hurdles to their progression while some diamonds emerge from the larger group
of fringier prospects. As is always the case, look for the White Sox to bump
the value and ceiling on several of the below pitchers by teaching them to
utilize a cut-fastball (when possible).
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1. Gordon Beckham | Stats | Depot Grade: B+
6-0 / 185 | Age - 22 | SS | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2008 (R1) | University of
Georgia
Floor: Below AVG SS | Ceiling: Above-AVG SS | Projection: AVG SS
Notes: Beckham rode an incredible junior season to an appearance in the
finals at the College World Series and a Top 10 pick in the June Rule 4
Draft. Beckham has a lightening quick bat stemming from incredibly strong
wrists and hands. There is potential for him to hit for average as well as
above-average power, though a loopy/hitchy swing (broken down in our draft
preview) stands as a legitimate hurdle for him to overcome as he reaches the
higher levels of the minors. Defensively, Beckham has fringy range
(particularly up-the-middle) and his hands are average at best. He has shown
a solid ability to charge the ball and his arm is plenty strong for the left
side. He may have to shift to 3B or 2B, but for now it looks like he’ll be
able to stick. Next year should provide his first challenge at AA, and we’ll
get some idea as to how his swing will play.
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2. Aaron Poreda | Stats | Depot Grade: B+
6-6 / 240 | Age - 22 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2007 (R1) | University of
San Francisco
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: Late-inning Relief
Notes: Poreda’s fastball is a true “wow” pitch, sitting in the mid-90s and
touching the upper-90s (though he needs to improve his command and it tends
to flatten out at times when he dials it up). On the strength of this pitch
and a durable frame, the White Sox, as well as various scouts, insist he’s
got a future in the front-end of a rotation. We’re not so sure. As of today,
his secondary is stuff is severely lacking. His slider is an inconsistent
offering that he too often leaves saucering up in the zone. His changeup has
progressed, but not as quickly at you’d hope for your top pitching prospect,
and is still a ways off from a solid-average ML offering. Finally, while his
motion provides some deception, it isn’t particularly repeatable. This has
undoubtedly contributed to his command issues, and could also conceivably
account for some of the inconsistencies in his slider. He ranks as second on
our list because of his incredibly high ceiling, but it would not be a
surprise to see him in the bullpen when all is said and done.
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3. Jordan Danks | Stats | Depot Grade: B
6-5 / 205 | Age - 22 | OF | B/T - L/R | Drafted - 2008 (R7) | University of
Texas
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG OF | Projection: AVG CF
Notes: Danks could prove to be an impressive get in the seventh-round of this
year’s Rule 4 Draft. He carries the potential to be a four-tool outfielder
with above-average power, speed, defense and arm-strength. Throughout his
college career he improved upon his approach at the plate, his strikezone
command and his bat control, all of which have aided his ability to square-up
consistently. Curiously, his power still has yet to materialize in games.
Danks profiles as an above-average defensive outfielder that could likely
hold down center field on a Major League squad. If his bat comes along as
well, look out.
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4. John Shelby, Jr. | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
5-10 / 190 | Age - 23 | OF | B/T - L/R | Drafted - 2006 (R5) | University of
Kentucky
Floor: 4th OF | Ceiling: Above-AVG OF | Projection: AVG CF
Notes: Shelby has some pop in his bat, though he saw his strikeout rate
increase and OBP decrease at HiA this year. He’s still a bit raw in center
field and could stand to improve on his routes and his tracking. His arm is
fringy, but should play fine in center. He’ll make the jump to AA next year
and should compete with Danks for the future center field job.
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5. Dexter Carter | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-6 / 195 | Age - 21 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2008 (R14) | Old Dominion
University
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Dexter’s fastball sits in the low-90s and comes with solid late-life.
His curveball is an inconsistent offering, though it flashes “plus” when he
spins it well. He has good arm-action with his changeup, giving it
solid-average potential. Big and durable, Dexter has some room to add
strength and potentially velocity. He should head to LoA next year where he’
ll get his first shot at full-season ball.
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6. Chris Getz | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-0 / 180 | Age - 25 | 2B | B/T - L/R | Drafted - 2005 (R4) | University of
Michigan
Floor: Utility | Ceiling: Above-AVG 2B | Projection: AVG 2B
Notes: Getz had a strong showing at AAA Charlotte in 2008, displaying an
above-average approach at the plate. He has a quick bat with a short path to
the ball, helping him to square-up consistently. He’s proficient at working
the pitcher and has the bat control to hit late in the count. Defensively, he
has fringy range at second base. Some reports have his arm as below-average,
but each time I saw him it was more than adequate.
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7. Jose Martinez | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-5 / 170 | Age - 20 | OF | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2006 | Venezuela
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG OF | Projection: AVG OF
Notes: Martinez offers lots of projection, as well as room in his frame to
add strength and an up-tick in his already above-average raw power. He has
plenty of arm for right field and does a solid job of tracking the ball.
Still raw, Martinez will be tested as he takes on Eastern League pitching
next summer. If he can improve his pitch-ID, perhaps he’ll begin to see his
raw power manifest itself at gametime.
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8. Brandon Allen | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-2 / 235 | Age - 22 | 1B | B/T - L/R | Drafted - 2004 (R5) | Montgomery HS
(TX)
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG 1B | Projection: Below-AVG 1B
Notes: Allen has more raw-power than any other prospect in the White Sox
system. Standing in between his bat and potential 35 homerun seasons in
Chicago is fringy pitch-ID and an inability to square-up consistently (though
he has improved on the latter). He has slimmed down this year, though he’s
still a plodder in the field and on the bases. Defensively he is rough at
first base, though he still looks passable. It’s unlikely Allen will ever
hit for average, but he could develop into a middle-of-the-order power bat if
he’s able to keep off the weight and continue to improve his offensive
approach. He’ll likely begin 2009 back in AA.
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9. Jhonny Nunez | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-3 / 185 | Age - 23 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2003 | Dominican Republic
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: Middle-relief
Notes: Nunez came over to Chicago in the recent Nick Swisher deal. He comes
with a three-quarter delivery that helps his low-90s fastball attain solid
sink and run. His slider is a borderline plus-pitch already and could bump a
bit if he’s able to refine his command and consistency. His changeup is a
third offering that could be above-AVG when all is said and done. He
struggles at time to maintain his stuff the second time through the order,
making him perhaps a better fit in the bullpen. He’ll likely need to
increase his stamina and consistency to stick in the rotation.
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10. Clayton Richard | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-5 / 240 | Age - 25 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2005 (R8) | University of
Michigan
Floor: Bullpen| Ceiling: Back-end Starter | Projection: #5 Starter
Notes: Richard joined fellow top 10 White Sox prospect Chris Getz in New York
as participants in this year’s MLB Futures Game during All-star Weekend.
After three solid but unspectacular minor league seasons at HiA and below,
Richard broke out in 2008posting a sub 1.00 WHIP and a sub-2.50 ERA in 20
games between AA and AAA. Richard’s arsenal is solid but uninspiring. His
best pitch is a fastball with good sink that can touch the low-90s but more
regularly sits in the upper-80s. His changeup and curveball are both
fringe-average offerings that don’t qualify as swing-and-miss pitches. His
stuff plays-up due to plus-command, which helps his case as a starter. It’s
possible he’ll end up as a swingman or even a lefty-specialist proficient at
producing grounders.
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11. Dan Hudson | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-4 / 215 | Age - 21 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2008 (R5) | Old Dominion
University
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Hudson comes with a solid, durable build and a lively fastball that
misses bats. Beyond that, he’s still quite raw, boasting below-average
secondary stuff, including a curveball, slider and changeup. If he can bring
along his secondary pitches, and or perhaps add a cutter, he could see his
stock jump considerably. If he doesn’t hold up as a starter he could prove
useful as a solid righty arm out of the pen.
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12. John Ely | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-1 / 190 | Age - 22 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R3) | University of
Miami (OH)
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Ely’s best offering is an upper-70s changeup that carries with it
solid depth. He gets solid boring action on his low-90s fastball and throws
both his fastball and changeup using an almost identical arm action. He has
some deception in his motion which helps his fastball-changeup combo to
play-up. His curve is fringy. Some think his high-effort delivery would play
better in relief, but we’re confident he can stick in the rotation so long
as he continues to refine his offerings.
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13. Lucas Harrell | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-2 / 200 | Age - 23 | RHP | B/T - B/R | Drafted - 2004 (R4) | Ozark HS (MO)
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: Late-inning
Relief
Notes: Harrell pairs an above-average changeup with a plus-power sinker that
sits in the low-90s. Without a consistent breaking ball (his slider is fringy
at best) Harrell could develop into a solid late-inning option in the Sox
bullpen. If he’s able to develop his slider, or learn a cutter, he could
stay in the rotation. If the latter occurs, he could take-off.
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14. Brian Omogrosso | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-4 / 230 | Age - 24 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2006 (R6) | Indiana State
University
Floor: Middle-relief | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection:
Late-inning Relief
Notes: A mid-90s fastball with lots of late life highlights Omogrosso’s
arsenal. His slider is a solid offering that lacks consistent tilt, and tends
to get hit hard when it saucers. He has progressed with his changeup but it’
s still fringe-average. His command hasn’t come along as much as one would
like, and he could find himself in the pen for good sooner or later. If he
does wind-up in relief, he has the potential stuff to pitch in the eighth
inning – the ninth if he were able to command his pitches with more
consistency.
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15. Nevin Griffith | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-2 / 165 | Age - 19 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R2) | Tampa HS (FL)
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Griffith is a projectable righty with a fringy motion but a good feel
for his stuff. His fastball is a low-90s offering and both his slider and
curveball can be above-average pitches if he can improve their consistency.
His changeup is just a “show me” pitch, but there is plenty of time for him
to bring it along. Griffith could start out 2009 back in extended spring
training but should get a taste of LoA ball at some point.
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16. Jack Egbert | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-3 / 200 | Age - 25 | RHP | B/T - L/R | Drafted - 2004 (R13) | Rutgers
University
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Back-end Starter | Projection: Middle-relief
Notes: Egbert spent most of 2008 at AAA Charlotte where he hit his first big
bump in his five year career. His plus-changeup was still effective, but he
didn’t spot his upper-80s fastball particularly well and got knocked around
a bit. He’s always around the zone, and is aggressive in his approach on the
mound. If he hones his command over his fastball he could be a solid back-end
option for the Sox. If not, he could pitch out of the pen in low-leverage
situations.
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17. Stephen Sauer | Stats | Depot Grade: C
6-2 / 185 | Age - 185 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2008 (R10) | Arizona
State University
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Back-end Starter | Projection: Middle-relief
Notes: Currently, Sauer lacks the requisite stamina to remain a pro starter.
His fastball is a solid low-90s offering with good downward action. His
curveball is a solid average offering that flashes above-average late
downward break. His changeup is an unimpressive, flat offering, though his
arm action is solid. He’ll need to improve his stamina and his consistency
to remain in the rotation. His arm action and arm slot may make him a good
candidate to add a cutter.
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18. Gregory Infante | Stats | Depot Grade: C
6-2 / 185 | Age - 21 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2006 | Venezuela
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: Middle-relief
Notes: After cruising through twelve starts at Rookie-level Bristol, Infante
got roughed-up in three LoA starts, walking 12 and allowing 16 hits in 13.2
IP. He’s a raw, live arm that sits in the low- to mid-90s with his fastball
but struggles to command it. His CB is a mid- to upper-70s offering with
inconsistent spin and his changeup is still in the early stages of
development. He holds his velocity through the second time through the order,
but will need to dramatically improve his command and consistency to stay in
the rotation.
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19. Christian Marrero | Stats | Depot Grade: C
6-1 / 185 | Age - 22 | 1B | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2005 (R22) | Broward CC (FL)
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: AVG 1B | Projection: AVG DH
Notes: Marrero entered 2008 as a bat-first first-baseman and ended up logging
significant time out in right field. He’s a plodder with fringy range for a
corner outfield spot, but he didn’t look completely overwhelmed. It’s
debatable whether or not he can last there long-term, but he’s likely earned
a shot at it again in 2009. He has the potential to hit for average and for
power, and will likely advance as far as his bat will carry him.
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20. Lance Broadway | Stats | Depot Grade: C
6-3 / 200 | Age - 25 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R1) | Texas
Christian University
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Back-end Starter | Projection: Middle-relief
Notes: For the second straight season Broadway struggled to miss bats and
keep hitters off the basepaths at AAA Charlotte. His fastball can hit the
low-90s, though he’s more consistently in the upper-80s. He can throw an
average slider and a solid curveball in any count. His control is
above-average, but he’s inconsistent in his ability to command his pitches
in the zone, catching too much of the plate too often. He’ll then
overcompensate and get into trouble with walks. He still shows the potential
to pitch out of the back-end of a rotation, but the bullpen may be more
likely.
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10 More Prospects To Watch
Kevin Dubler
Brent Morel
Sergio Miranda
Ryan Strauss
Eduardo Escobar
Justin Cassel
Cole Armstrong
Drew O’Neil
Charlie Haeger
Oneli Perez
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Organizational Leaders:
Hitting – Gordon Beckham
Power – Brandon Allen
Defense – Robert Valido
RHSP – Dexter Carter
LHSP – Clayton Richard
Future RP – Aaron Poreda
2009 Breakout Candidates:
Pitcher - Dan Hudson
Hitter – Brent Morel
Bounce-back Candidate:
Lance Broadway
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