The rebuild is over and White Sox brass have stated that the “window is open.” The team is now focused on winning at the major league level after years of focusing on building up talent in the minor leagues. Moving forward, how the White Sox utilize their farm system, whether it’s with internal promotions or trading prospects to acquire outside talent, will be noteworthy.
When resident 108er, question-haver, and all around cool guy, BeefLoaf, posed the following scenario below, it piqued our interest here at FutureSox.
It’s an interesting thought exercise to explore, and one that’s worthy of a deep dive into each possible scenario. First, how much different would the ranking look if it was solely based on the prospects most likely to help the White Sox roster in 2021/2022? Second, how different would the ranking look if it was based on the valuations of the prospects in a possible trade?
Prospect re-rank: Most likely to help the White Sox in 2021/2022
Our preseason top 30 contains a mix of both more immediate and further away talent, which is rather evident when examining our top 10.
Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet and Nick Madrigal will all leave Glendale as members of the White Sox. At this moment in time, it remains to be seen if Andrew Vaughn will break camp with the big club. In the event that he doesn’t, it doesn’t seem likely that Vaughn will spend a great deal of time in the minor leagues in 2021.
Jared Kelley, Matthew Thompson, Andrew Dalquist and recently signed Norge Vera are all intriguing, but further away prospects. Barring some meteoric rise through the system (which would be a fantastic turn of events), the quartet doesn’t seem likely to help the major league club, either this year or next.
Jonathan Stiever made his major league debut in 2020 after not previously pitching higher than A ball, but he will likely return to the upper minors this season for further development. Yoelqui Cespedes, the club’s top international signing in 2021, is expected to play stateside this season and could be a fast mover through the system.
Now that this theoretical top 10 has open slots available, how would it be structured regarding the parameters of most likely to help the White Sox this season or next?
Who makes the list?
The top four prospects on our list would remain in the same order here (Vaughn, Kopech, Crochet and Madrigal) and doesn’t need much explaining. Vaughn looks like he can shore up the White Sox DH woes and spell Jose Abreu at first. Kopech and Crochet will be in the big league pen this year with eyes on starting next season. Madrigal is set to build upon his rookie campaign as the White Sox second baseman and shore up those defensive and base running miscues.
Stiever would fall next in line on the list, as he could be called upon for spot starts if/when injuries occur this year, with a possible, but albeit outside shot at a rotation spot in 2021. Luis Gonzalez would slot in next, as he can play every outfield position and be a lefty bat off the bench with a bit of pop. Jimmy Lambert made his major league debut last season, and from the brief glimpse we saw of him in 2020 in addition to him changing up his arsenal, could be a nice addition out of the pen, as the rotation looks to have few openings moving forward.
Zack Burdi has always had the stuff, injuries have just stood in his way. Newcomer to our top 30 list Kade McClure impressed scouts this fall with added velocity to mix in with his above-average slider. Yoelqui Cespedes is an advanced player and someone that could be in the majors in the near future. Banking on him to be a major contributor in 2022 may be a tad overzealous. However, he possesses the talent that could see him debut as early as next season.
Honorable Mentions
Caleb Freeman fits the mold of a player that the White Sox have liked aggressively pushing through their system. This year is big for Gavin Sheets, as the path to first base is essentially blocked. If he is able to prove he can play in the outfield, it could open up more opportunities for him to crack the White Sox lineup. Tyler Johnson is another player that could come up in a pinch and help out in the bullpen if called upon.
Prospect re-rank: Most likely to help the White Sox via trade in 2021/2022
To preface the beginning of this particular topic, I’m not looking and/or hoping that the White Sox will trade any of the players mentioned below. With the White Sox focusing on winning at the major league level, trades of minor league talent seem inevitable. I’m merely trying to gauge who I think opposing teams would be most interested in when trying to strike up a deal with the White Sox.
First and foremost, the top of this list is the same as the top of the previous one. Inquiring teams would certainly come calling Rick Hahn about Vaughn, Kopech, Crochet, and Madrigal.
The quartet of prospects may currently be the most valuable prospects in the system (although they won’t be considered prospects for much longer). It’s understandable why they’d be coveted by other teams in trade talks. Unless the White Sox are trying to acquire a top talent in the MLB, it seems unlikely that any of the four players would be moved.
Jared Kelley, the big right-hander out of the Texas high school ranks, would surely be of interest to teams. Kelley was considered a first round talent prior to last years draft, but the White Sox were able to secure his services with an overslot bonus in the second round.
Bryan Ramos is the biggest riser of any player on the list. Ramos, a corner infielder who may be adding second base to his position list in the near future, impressed scouts in fall instructs this year after a stellar showing in the AZL as a 17-year-old in 2019. There was even a report that teams were already inquiring about him in trades.
Stiever would make sense for clubs, as he is someone who is on the doorstep of being able to contribute in the major leagues. Thompson, Dalquist, and Vera would not be that far behind, as the White Sox tout an impressive collection of talented youth in their starting pitching ranks.
Bryce Bush, Jose Rodriguez, Benyamin Bailey and James Beard could all fall next in line, as they are all young, high-upside players with different intriguing skill-sets.
Honorable Mentions
The honorable mention list here isn’t a slight on anyone’s talent. While writing up this piece, I took into account the trades we saw unfold this offseason.
Sheets, Gonzalez, Blake Rutherford, Micker Adolfo and Jake Burger are all talented players that hold value. The valuation of these types of prospects, though, has shifted. Teams are targeting upside and youth, hoping to strike gold.
DJ Gladney and his impressive exit velocity and power could intrigue teams, especially if he’s able to cut down on his strikeouts. Chase Krogman is also another recent high school draftee of the White Sox that has caught some industry attention as well.
Dinner is Served
Beefloaf, I hope this answered your question and that there wasn’t too much rambling going on. It was an interesting question that deserved a well thought-out response. If there is one thing to be taken from this piece, it’s that the White Sox have intriguing options in both of your scenarios. Re-ranking them was as enjoyable as it is to willingly watch a full Major League Baseball game with the foul pole directly in your sight line.
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Jimmy Lambert first starting pitcher to be called up. As far as a trade, it might as well be(my favorite) Yermin Mercedes. I would love for the Sox to go with 3 catchers. Collins and Mercedes platooning at DH. However, the Sox don’t seem to know what to do with Mercedes so they may as well trade him. Then after he becomes the next Babe Ruth they’ll be sorry.