Junius Worth
David Kerr
Charlie Nehl
gawlowskib
Andrew Martin
Jonathan C. Mitchell
johnczech
Daniel Marino
Michael Schwartze
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Spencer Schneier
William J. Tasker
The Chicago White Sox have been near the bottom of the league in regards to their farm system but the past two drafts have helped them add some high-ceiling talent and a few potential mid-rotation starters.
Below are our top 16 prospects with 2013 opening day age, position, and comments on each player. Below the top 16 is a small list of additional notable names. Enjoy.
| Player | Comments | |
| 1 | Courtney Hawkins (19-OF) | Drafted 13th overall in 2012 largely due to his plus-plus raw power that one team scout I spoke to graded an 80. He has a plus arm, perfect for RF, and he should have above-average range in RF. He is a bit raw and is suspect to breaking balls and offspeed stuff, especially down-and-away, but there is a lot of potential in this bat and arm. -Jonathan C. Mitchell |
| 2 | Carlos Sanchez (20-SS/2B) | Say quick bat three times, because Sanchez has one heckuva quick bat. He should be able to hit .290 or so, with the ability to spray line drives to all fields. In the field, it is questionable whether or not he can stick at shortstop or not, but I wouldn’t be surprised either way. -Spencer Schneier |
| 3 | Trayce Thompson (22-OF) | Thompson has plus power and a career 10% walk rate in the minors. He is a true center fielder with good range, speed, and plenty of arm for the position. So far he sounds like he should be a #1 prospect but his “but” is huge. He strikes out A LOT, I mean, Drew Stubbs territory. Even with the strikeout problem he could be a Big League regular who finds his way to a few All-Star games in his career. -JCM |
| 4 | Erik Johnson (23-RHP) | The 2011 2nd round pick has the body of a workhorse starter and the chance to be a very good #3 starter in the Majors. He has an above-average fastball/slider combination and his change-up is developing. He has above-average command of the first two pitches and excellent control and goes right after hitters. -JCM |
| 5 | Keon Barnum (20-1B) | A bit old for a player just out of high school but the power potential is unquestioned and his size, power, and position have drawn comparisons to Ryan Howard. He has a long ways to go to reach that potential with the bat but he has the chance to be an even better fielder than Howard (not saying a lot) and could be above-average at first base or potentially moved to LF. -JCM |
| 6 | Keenyn Walker (22-OF) | Gifted athlete with plus speed and ability to handle CF. He shows good patience at the plate but strikes out way too much for a guy with well below-average power. His build suggests there is potential for some power there but I don’t see it. I still think he ends up a good 4th outfielder who may get full-time reps a few seasons in the Majors. -JCM |
| 7 | Scott Snodgress (23-LHP) | Another college pitcher with a workhorse build and mid-rotation ceiling. Snodgress is behind Johnson in command and control but he improved as the year went on and finished strongly in the Carolina League with a 1.50 ERA and more than a K per inning. -JCM |
| 8 | Nestor Molina (24-RHP) | Molina took a step backwards as he saw his K-rate drop but he was also unlucky with a .361 BABIP in AA. His FIP was a solid 3.26 thanks to limitting walks and homeruns. I still believe he can be a mid-rotation starter. -JCM |
| 9 | Chris Beck (22-RHP) | Beck, despite his stuff declining his junior year, was selected in the 2nd round thanks to his starter’s build and four-pitch repertoire. He has the chance to be a mid-rotation guy if he can get his fastball back to the low-to-mid-90s. He has potentially plus slider so, if all else fails, he could be a useful reliever. I still think he ends up starting games in the Majors and looks like a potential steal in the draft. -JCM |
| 10 | Andre Rienzo (24-RHP) | The 6’3″ 160lb righty spent last year between High A, AAA, and AAA and pitched most of the year out of the rotation. Rienzo has a potential plus fastball sitting in the low to mid 90s with nice late movement on it. He has a promising curveball that projects to be a solid above average pitch featuring tight sweeping break. He still needs to work on the development of his changeup but Rienzo most likely ends up as a solid back of the bullpen arm. -Michael Schwartze |
| 11 | Jared Mitchell (24-OF) | Mitchell was drafted 23rd overall in the 2009 draft but he has not lived up to expectations. He missed all of 2010 due to an ankle injury and he has not been the same player since. The former first round draft pick is now looking like a fourth outfielder. He’s got some power left in the bat but he really struggles with making contact and his speed is not the same as it once was. He has the ability to play all three spots in the outfield and I think we most likely see him develop into a useful fourth outfielder. -MS |
| 12 | Joey DeMichele (22-2B) | DeMichele has a knack for squaring up pitches and has the ability to hit for average with the potential for average power. If he can stay at 2B, which he only started playing last year, he has the chance to be a regular. If he cannot play 2B regularly he could be a nice super-sub who should be able to handle 2B, 1B, LF, and maybe 3B in short stints. -JCM |
| 13 | Tyler Saladino (23-SS) | Saladino’s prospect stock has taken a bit of a hit since last year after he struggled a bit at AA and AAA. He does not have a tool that stands out but he is solid across the board. He has a line drive stroke and is able to drive it to all parts of the field. He has good speed and solid tools at short but I see him eventually sliding over to second base longterm. He could become a slightly below average starter at the next level but I think he could be a useful utility guy capable of playing third, short, and second. -MS |
| 14 | Simon Castro (25-RHP) | Where to begin with Simon Castro… A once top prospect in the Padres system a couple years ago, Castro really saw his stock drop when his fastball velocity dropped and his command showed no signs of improvement. I think at this point Castro best fits as a hard throwing righty at the back of the bullpen who makes an occasional spot start. If he improves his command he could make it as a number 4 or 5 starter. -MS |
| 15 | Jacob Petricka (24-RHP) | Petricka has a big, durable build standing 6’5″ 210lb. He has interesting potential in his arm with a fastball reaching the upper 90s and a hammer of a curveball but it’s very inconsistent. His change shows promise as well but it again is not consistent. Petricka has promising tools but shaky mechanics and very poor command may leave him destined for the bullpen. -MS |
| 16 | Brandon Brennan (21-RHP) | Last year’s 4th round pick has a workhorse starter’s build and a fastball in the 88-92 mph range with good sink that generates groundballs. He needs to develop his secondary offerings to reach his ceiling as an innings eating starter. -JCM |
A few more: Kevan Smith (C), Luis Castillo (3B), Myles Jaye (RHP)
Be sure to follow @Mike_Schwartze, @FigureFilbert, and @BaseballSpencer on Twitter, all of whom collaborated to put together these rankings.
Filed under: On the Farm - Prospects Tagged: | 2013 Top Prospects, Andre Rienzo, Brandon Brennan, Carlos Sanchez, Chicago White Sox, Chris Beck, Courtney Hawkins, Erik Johnson, Jacob Petricka, Jared Mitchell, Joey DeMichele, Keenyn Walker, Keon Barnum, Kevan Smith, Luis Castillo, Myles Jaye, Nestor Molina, Prospects, Scott Snodgress, Simon Castro, Trayce Thompson, Tyler Saladino
