Welcome to Rankings Week, midseason 2021! Twice a year, we rank the top prospects in the White Sox system. With the first half and trade deadline behind us, the schedule of events looks like this:
- Monday: Just missed
- Tuesday: Prospects ranked 16-30
- Wednesday: The full list
- Thursday: Top 30 prospects podcast
- Friday: Mailbag/Twitterbag questions
Each day there will also be a top 30 from one of our voters that will be released for Patreon subscribers.
The White Sox farm system is very top heavy and packed with elite prospects, but there’s a lot of uncertainty behind the top names. Overall, the system is in a much better place than when the rebuilding process broke ground in 2016. Since our last list in February, four prospects have graduated (Andrew Vaughn, Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet and Nick Madrigal), another four have left the system (Luis Gonzalez, Zack Burdi, Bernardo Flores and Bailey Horn).
That brings us to this list: 21 players who did not make the top 30 this cycle, but who our writers discussed and considered in some fashion. Check out our last version of this “just missed” group from the preseason. These are prospects on the edge of the radar and history suggests that some will contribute value down the line in some form.
Note: Players are listed in alphabetical order
Benyamin Bailey, OF
The range of reports on Bailey haven’t been promising in 2021. He played in the fall instructional league and received mixed reviews. During batting practice, the Panamanian showed big raw power but he struggled to get to it in instructional league games. Some scouts love his patience and size, projecting more power as he gets older. Others believe he lacks athleticism and question whether or not he can stay in the outfield. Bailey is one of the biggest boom or bust prospects in the system. The 19-year-old struggled badly in 21 games in Low-A to begin this season. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has posted a 16.8% walk rate in the Arizona Complex League but the strikeout rate (33%) is too high. He’s still young and should get another crack at a full season opportunity in 2022.
James Beard, OF
Beard was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft out of Loyd Star High School in Mississippi and he was considered to be a raw talent coming out of the state. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder possesses plus bat speed and shows some power potential, but he’s struggled in 58 games with the Cannon Ballers in Low-A in 2021. In addition to preparing all of the meals in the clubhouse, Beard has smashed four homers and flashed defensive ability in the low minors so far. 80-grade speed is the outfielder’s carrying tool and it has been evident since he was drafted. The 20-year-old should get an opportunity in High-A to begin 2022, but a repeat of Low-A wouldn’t be a huge surprise either.
Bryce Bush, OF
Bush brings lighting quick bat speed and a ton of pop in his 6-foot, 200-pound frame. Transitioning from third base to the outfield, Bush battled injuries throughout 2019, but also managed to experience about half a season in Low-A Kannapolis at just 19. In 67 games, Bush hit .201/.285/.346 for the Intimidators. He showed a good walk rate (27 in 288 plate appearances), which was the most encouraging sign considering how young he was for the level. He has a violent swing, which helps his power, but will need to be refined as he moves up the minors. Bush struggled in a small sample during his promotion to High-A with Winston-Salem to begin the 2021 season and he was quickly placed on the 60-day injured list after participating in one contest at the complex in Arizona last month. The 21-year-old signed for $290,000 out of a Michigan high school after getting drafted in the 33rd round in 2019.
Cameron Butler, OF
The White Sox drafted Butler out of a small high school in California where he regularly competed against pretty weak competition. In the 15th round, the 18-year-old received $150,000 and he’s currently playing for the club’s affiliate in the Arizona Complex League. Baseball America ranked Butler as the No. 210 overall player in the 2021 draft class. The athlete possesses a strong, athletic build and Mike Shirley gushed over his five-tool potential. The 6-foot, 185-pounder could get to plus power in the future, but already shows a plus arm in the outfield while displaying plus run times as well. Butler is lauded for his quality makeup and his prolific tools make him an intriguing follow into the future. He’ll likely play during instructional league this fall and that will determine his role in 2022.
Anderson Comas, OF
This 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder was signed out of the Dominican Republic in the White Sox’s 2016 international class. His lengthy, projectable frame led the organization to spend $425,000 to get him in the fold. Like most players signed in the international market, Comas began his career in the Dominican Summer League and showed future power potential. He played stateside for the first time in 2018 and hit .306 in the AZL. Comas is loaded with projection, but still needs to add more strength. Comas hit .345/.345/.897 with four homers in eight games at the complex this year, but has struggled in eight games since joining Low-A Kannapolis. The Advanced Rookie level was an uphill climb in 2019 as well.
Christian Edwards, RHP
The White Sox drafted Edwards in the 11th round of the 2021 draft and he signed for $150,000. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder posted a 2.48 ERA while surrendering 42 hits and compiling 83 strikeouts with 27 walks and a WHIP of 1.00 over the course of 69 innings with Jacksonville State. The 22-year-old has “loud stuff” according to Mike Shirley and the club was impressed when they saw him in person this year. Edwards has a fastball that sits in the 94-98 range. He possesses a solid breaking ball as well while being a “plus athlete with starter materials and big velocity.” Edwards will develop as a starting pitcher, but has the traits to move quickly in a relief role as well.
DJ Gladney, 3B
After getting drafted and signing out of high school, Gladney blasted eight home runs in the Arizona League. He hit .264/.309/.428. The local product out of Illiana Christian High School struck out 82 times in 220 plate appearances, which is a red flag to watch as he develops. Gladney has a projectable 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with room to grow. Scouts saw him at instructs, but nothing seemed to change from his profile. They still believe in his power while also showing concern about his hit tool. Gladney has played some first base and he’ll need to stay at third to remain on the fringes of the prospect radar. In 58 games in Low-A, the infielder has hit .192/.297/.310 with a walk rate of 11%. The strikeout rate is over 40% though and it’s an issue while he’s only clubbed five homers. He likely remains in Kannapolis for the 2022 season.
Brooks Gosswein, LHP
Athletic southpaw selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft that might already be the best left-handed pitcher in the system. The White Sox see Gosswein as a starter with a four-pitch mix including a slider and slurvy curveball to go with his fastball. The 22-year-old pitched at Bradley University and signed for $200,000 in July. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder sits in the mid 90s and shows big life on his sinker. In five innings in the Arizona Complex League, Brooks has compiled five strikeouts without giving up an earned run. He should finish his season in Low-A and could start with an A-ball affiliate in 2022.
Ronaldo Guzman, LHP
Guzman has been on the radar since Baseball America’s Ben Badler called him an intriguing sleeper prospect last year. The 18-year-old lefty posted a 4.53 ERA with a 3.19 FIP in the Dominican Summer League in 2019. He was really young for the level and struck out 76 batters over 51 2/3 innings. The southpaw was the best pitching prospect on the DSL White Sox roster with a fastball that touches 91 mph with easy arm action. Guzman employs an athletic repeatable delivery and his calling card is an advanced changeup. He was signed for $75,000 out of the Dominican Republic and he could’ve made his stateside debut in 2020. Guzman was noticed by scouts in the fall instructional league and his fastball showed significant carry. The southpaw has struggled in 28 innings in the ACL with 29 strikeouts and 40 walks over eight starts.
Tyler Johnson, RHP
Johnson was with the group in Schaumburg in 2020, but didn’t get a shot in the majors. The 2017 fifth-rounder has good stuff and minor league production on his resume but 2021 has been a tough season. Johnson began the season on the 40-man roster and earned a spot in big league spring training. The 26-year-old righty struck out 17 hitters in 12 innings with the Charlotte Knights this year but posted an ERA over 12. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was recently released and re-signed by the White Sox due to undergoing knee surgery. Johnson will likely be invited to spring training in 2022 with a chance to pitch in the majors.
Harvin Mendoza, 1B/OF
Mendoza is a 22-year-old Venezuelan that is having a solid year with the Cannon Ballers in Low-A Kannapolis. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder plays mostly at first base, but has moonlighted in the outfield as well. The left-handed hitter has posted a 117 wRC+ with a triple slash of .304/.381/.407 after struggling in High-A to start the year. Mendoza can hit and he’s a good player, but the power output has to increase significantly for first base to be viable going forward. He should get another crack at High-A in the near future.
Carlos Perez, C
This 24-year-old catcher has been lauded for his defensive traits throughout his time in the system. He has a strong throwing arm and pitchers have reported that he’s an adept game caller behind the dish. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder has struggled at the plate throughout his minor league career, but he has smashed nine homers in 83 games at Double-A in 2021. The Venezuelan has hit .257/.316/.397 on the year and while he doesn’t walk often, he doesn’t strike out either. His solid bat to ball skills and arm strength make him a likely third catcher in the big leagues someday.
Johnny Ray, RHP
Ray pitched at Illinois State and John Logan Community College before landing at TCU with the Horned Frogs. The White Sox were very familiar with the Quincy, Ill., native and selected him in the 12th round of the 2021 draft, securing his services with a bonus of $150,000. The 22-year-old possesses multiple above-average offerings, but his fastball was beat around this year causing his fall to day three of the draft. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder was ranked as the No. 220 overall player in the class, but his lack of a track record and poor results really hurt his stock. Ray has worked to lower the intensity of his violent delivery, but he does struggle to repeat his delivery. Hie fastball touches 97 mph and he should get better results than he does currently. He’s pitching in the Arizona Complex League currently and could finish his season in Low-A with Kannapolis.
Blake Rutherford, OF
Rutherford was seen as one of the best prep players in the 2016 draft class coming out of California and the Yankees gave him a bonus north of $3 million in the first round. The White Sox acquired him in a trade for Todd Frazier and David Robertson in 2017 and the outfielder has never really lived up to expectations as the centerpiece of the deal. The 24-year-old shows an all fields approach and still has a smooth left-handed stroke, but he doesn’t hit for enough power to make up for a fringy arm that likely forces him to left field and just average speed. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder has heated up lately with the Knights, but his bat must carry him as a prospect and he’s struggled in the hitter friendly league that the Knights play in. In 2021, Rutherford has hit .249/.287/.395 with seven homers. He has walked less than 5% of the time and posted a wRC+ of 78. There’s still time for him to turn it around, but he’s occupying a space on the club’s 40-man roster currently. He’s fallen off our top 30 for the first time since joining the organization.
Hunter Schryver, LHP
The White Sox acquired Schryver in a deadline trade back in 2018 for international bonus pool space. The southpaw was a seventh-round pick of Rays out of Villanova back in 2017. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder received an invite to big league spring training with the Sox in 2020, but succumbed to Tommy John surgery that season. The left-hander is back pitching with the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A and his numbers are underwhelming, but he sports an average of 10 strikeouts per nine while being especially tough on lefties. Data centric front offices love his high release point because it’s a unique delivery with good extension. Schryver shows a low 90s fastball paired with a slider that flashes plus. He’s close to the majors and will be a threat to get plucked in the Rule 5 draft this December if not protected.
Luke Shilling, RHP
Shilling was drafted in the 15th round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Illinois and injured his lat muscle almost immediately after signing with the White Sox. He was released in 2020. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder improved his body and delivery while he was away from the organization and he returned to the organization on a minor league deal this past January. Pitching for the Winston-Salem Dash in High-A, it was evident that Shilling’s stuff had returned. He was throwing in the upper 90s with a nasty cutter/slider that outside scouts called a “plus pitch” while also displaying an inconsistent curveball as well. He appeared to be on the fast track to the big leagues and internal evaluators thought he could move quickly in a relief role. Shilling had another career setback and underwent Tommy John surgery in June. The 23-year-old is a minor league free agent at season’s end and he should have interest after averaging 13.5 K/9 in his time with Winston-Salem.
Yoelvin Silven, RHP
Baseball America and Fangraphs have both noted Silven in a group of “intriguing White Sox prospects” far down their respective lists. He was signed out of the Dominican Republic in May 2018 and immediately went to the Dominican Summer League. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-hander posted a 3.66 ERA and struck out nearly 10 hitters per nine in 64 innings in the DSL. In 15 games, his 2.78 xFIP produced 71 strikeouts in 64 innings. In 2019, Silven started in the AZL where he threw 44 innings. The righty punched out 51 hitters and induced lots of weak contact while only walking just over one hitter per nine. He posted a 3.48 ERA with an xFIP of 3.05. His fastball touched 96 mph frequently during fall instructs. The righty has below average present secondary stuff, but the White Sox are “tinkering with a couple different breaking balls” according to Fangraphs. The 22-year-old was recently promoted to High-A Winston-Salem after throwing 31 innings with a 4.43 xFIP in Low-A.
Bennett Sousa, LHP
The White Sox clearly like Sousa because he was with the alternate site group after pitching in the Arizona Fall League in 2019. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound lefty was a 10th round senior sign out of Virginia back in 2018. Bennett was the closer in college and he’s put up decent numbers against lefties during his minor league career. The 26-year-old made it to Double-A Birmingham in 2019 and he was slated to begin the 2020 campaign there as well. The southpaw posted a 2.70 ERA in Winston-Salem in 2019 with 32 strikeouts and just five walks in 30 innings pitched. He’s really taken off in 2021. After averaging 13.86 K/9 over 21 innings in Double-A, he was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte. In 11 innings with the Knights, the southpaw has posted a 3.97 ERA while averaging 11.91 K/9 with just 1.59 BB/9. He could make his big league debut down the stretch in 2021.
After the 2019 draft, Nick Hostetler told FutureSox that Torres “can really flat out catch and throw.” Hostetler stated that his defensive skills are, “elite and plus across the board.” The catcher was drafted in the 11th round out of Puerto Rico and signed for an over-slot bonus of $175,000. Torres was ranked 25th in the system according to Baseball America before last season and their snippet lauds his “advanced ability to handle a pitching staff and call his own games as a 20-year-old.” Torres mostly controls the running game and threw out 30% of base stealers in the AZL in his draft year. The young backstop struggles with framing and blocking at times and passed balls were an issue in games. He also must add strength to his frame. Torres was a favorite of the pitchers in Low-A this year, but he still struggled at the plate. He was recently re-assigned back to the Arizona Complex League where he’ll likely finish 2021.
Emilio Vargas, RHP
The White Sox were awarded Vargas on waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks in November 2020 and they’ve since effectively out-righted him to the minors. The 25-year-old right hander has made 11 starts in Double-A with the Barons and has amassed a total of 62 innings on the season. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has posted a 2.61 ERA with 71 strikeouts and has averaged 3.19 BB/9. Vargas shows an athletic and repeatable delivery. He possesses a decent fastball that is well commanded with a breaking ball that has two plane break. The numbers have been solid and he has backend starter potential. It’s possible that his stuff would play up in a bullpen role as well.
Caberea Weaver, OF
Weaver was drafted in the seventh round in 2018 out of South Gwinnett, Ga. He plays center field and bats and throws from the right side. After signing, Weaver posted a 112 wRC+ with a 10% walk rate and stellar defensive skills on display in the AZL. In his first full season in 62 games with Great Falls, the 20-year-old struggled with a line of .254/.317/.377 and alarming strikeout totals. The young outfielder is very skinny with top scale speed and athleticism. He projects as a difference maker defensively and possesses lots of upside, but he’s the type of player who could’ve been really impacted by the shutdown. Scouts noticed a filled out body at fall instructs and strength gains are apparent. Scouts also reported that Weaver has “shortened his swing” which gives evaluators more confidence in his ability to hit. The White Sox have tried to get him to incorporate his legs more in his swing which should help the now 21-year-old drive the ball. He’s a plus runner with a below average arm and he was recently promoted to High-A after some moderate success with the Cannon Ballers.
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom on a mobile device) and click create subscription. Our list is completely spam free and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.
Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.