Prospects and Scouting

Chicago White Sox Top 12 Prospect Rankings

By Dave Gershman Jan 23, 2012, 2:26pm EST

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 04: Addison Reed #43 of the Chicago White Sox pitches in the fourth inning during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 4, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

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.