Chicago White Sox Top 12 Prospect Rankings

by Dave Gershman on Jan 23, 2012 2:26 PM EST in Prospect Perspective

Tier 1 (4 points): Major League Star -- Number One Starter

Tier 2 (3 points): Stand Out/Above Average Regular -- Number Two/Exceptional Three Starter

Tier 3 (2 points): Solid, Average, Every Day Regular -- Number Three/Solid Four Starter

Tier 4 (1 point): Bench/Below Average Regular -- Borderline Four/Number Five Starter/Relief Pitcher

Although the White Sox contain arguably the least amount of impact talent of the thirty organizations in baseball, a case can be made that system has improved since last year. In Nestor Molina and Addison Reed, the Sox have at least two viable candidates to impact the major league roster in 2012 and, if things go as expected, the Sox could net a few more impact prospects at the July 31st trading deadline. Before we jump to that conclusion, let's take a look at what the Sox already have.

The system is probably the worst in baseball, but as I said before, it isn't completely barren. There aren't any 1st tier prospects, but then again that could be said for many teams. Also, the system's best prospects hold little upside, and that's mostly because of the organization's unwillingness to branch away from college players in last year's draft. If I'm correct, the White Sox selected only college players with their first twenty-one selections last year. The White Sox should target high school kids in the upcoming draft, but with the guys they already have in the lower levels of the system their progression will be integral for the club's sake. With little depth and huge holes, the Sox system easily ranks as one of the worst in the game. We'll see how things work out once the season starts.

Chicago White Sox -- 22 points

Tier 2:

Nestor Molina: RHP

Keenyn Walker: OF

Tier 3:

Addison Reed: RHP

Eduardo Escobar: SS/INF

Simon Castro: RHP

Tyler Saladino: SS/INF

Jacob Petricka: RHP

Jared Mitchell: OF

Tier 4:

Jhan Marinez: RHP

Ozzie Martinez: INF

Pedro Hernandez: LHP

Brandon Short: OF

Previously ranked organizations:

Tweet Comment 4 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Surprised to not see Trayce Thompson

What led you to keep him off?

@stealofhome

by Chris St. John on Jan 23, 2012 2:43 PM EST reply actions

I understand what you are trying to do here with this system.

And there will invariably be holes in any system. However, any system that values Keenyn Walker over Addison Reed (at least at this point in time) is in need of an adjustment.

by polodude017 on Jan 24, 2012 1:10 PM EST reply actions

Why's that?

You think a reliever should be ranked ahead of a toolsy athlete?

Dave Gershman - Beyond the Box Score
Penn League Report / Twitter: @Dave_Gershman / Getting Blanked

by Dave Gershman on Jan 25, 2012 2:15 AM EST up reply actions

Yes

Absolutely. Addison Reed projects as a solid closer who is close to being an established major leaguer. Keenyn Walker is a toolsy but raw athlete, and there are a large number of those guys in the minors that are more developed skill-wise and still flame out in AA – the chances of Walker becoming a major league regular are slim. Just because Reed is a reliever doesn’t mean his prospect status should be totally diminished – look at Craig Kimbrel last year. He was a reliever prospect, and was quite valuable to his major league club in his rookie season. If I’m a GM, sign me up for a prospect like that any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

by BenMc5 on Jan 26, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Network Bar

Beyond the Box Score -

A Saber-Slanted Baseball Community