What was once viewed as a deep group for the White Sox organization a few years ago, has now become thin as of late. However, the outfield group still possesses some of the top prospects in the organization, along with some intriguing names throughout the lower levels of the minors.
Marco Paddy & Co. have played an important role in replenishing a position group that has needed a boost. Through international signings and the MLB Draft, this group has a good mix of young, high-upside talent and older prospects coming from the International ranks. Let’s take a look at the top outfielders in the White Sox farm system heading into the 2022 season.
1. Yoelqui Cespedes-Ranked 2nd Overall. Last Level; Birmingham (Double-A)
Cespedes, a $2.05M signing out of Cuba made his organizational debut in 2021. He spent time in Winston-Salem and Birmingham, where he slashed a combined .285/.350/.463 with 20 doubles, 8 home runs, 27 RBI, 83 strikeouts, and stole 18 bases in 72 games. As a 23-year-old making his professional debut, Cespedes was sent to the Arizona Fall League to end the year.
This was an opportunity for Cespedes to earn extra reps since his season got off to a delayed start. It was also a chance for him to showcase his talent against some of the best prospects that the sport has to offer. Unfortunately for Cespedes, he struggled throughout his time in Arizona. In 19 games with the Glendale Desert Dogs, Cespedes slashed .181/.244/.222 with just 13 hits, one RBI, two walks, and 22 strikeouts.
Despite the struggles in the AFL, Yoelqui Cespedes handled his own pretty well in Double-A Birmingham and showed flashes of things to be excited about in his game. Cespedes possesses above-average raw power and his ability to tap into that consistently in-game will determine how high his ceiling can go. He pairs that with plus-plus arm strength that seemingly makes him a good fit to slot into right field in the future.
Overall, Yoelqui Cespdes owns mostly average to above-average tools across the board and remains the top outfield prospect in the White Sox organization. He should begin his 2022 season where he left off in Birmingham but he could receive an invite to big league spring training. If all goes well, it’s not completely out of the question for him to potentially make his MLB debut in 2022.
2. Oscar Colas-Unranked. Last Level; N/A
Although Oscar Colas is not officially in the White Sox organization yet, he will be come January 15, 2022, as the the White Sox are expected to ink Colas to a $2.7M deal once the signing period opens. Colas was previously known for being a two-way player as both a pitcher and an outfielder. However, the 23-year-old is no longer pitching and will be joining the White Sox organization solely as an outfielder and hitter.
Colas is another White Sox prospect coming from the Cuban pipeline, where Marco Paddy has made a name for himself to say the least. Colas most recently played for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. During the 2019 season in the Japan Western League, Colas slashed .302/.50/.516 with 19 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 RBI, 19 walks, and 61 strikeouts in 66 games.
During that same year, Colas also spent time playing for Santiago de Cuba during the Cuban National Series. Colas went on to slash .259/.344/.449 with 20 hits, 4 home runs, 18 RBI, 10 walks, and 15 strikeouts in 14 games for Santiago de Cuba. Colas will begin his White Sox career as a 23-year-old, similar to Cespedes.
According to MLB Pipeline, Oscar Colas ranks as the fifth overall prospect in the upcoming International class. The left-handed hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder possesses all above-average tools. MLB Pipeline gives Colas a 55 grade for hit, run, arm, field, and overall and power is his highest graded tool at 60. At 6’1″, 209 pounds, Oscar Colas projects to be a middle of the order hitter and has the ability to play all three outfield spots, according to MLB Pipeline. A corner outfield spot seems much more likely at this point, however.
It’s tough to gauge where exactly Colas will make his organizational debut and there are a lot of moving parts. Given his age, he could very easily follow a similar path to Cespedes and begin the year with Winston-Salem. With him coming from overseas, you can’t completely rule out him starting in the Dominican Summer League either.
3. Micker Adolfo-Ranked 15th Overall. Last Level; Charlotte (Triple-A)
Micker Adolfo was the first major signing of the Marco Paddy era on the international side of the White Sox’s operation. The outfielder is now 25-years-old and his future with the organization is in doubt due to finally being out of minor league option. Adolfo will either be on the White Sox in the majors in 2022 or he’ll be in another organization. On July 2, 2013, the Dominican signed for $1.6 million. The 6-4 225 pounder has played just over 360 professional games with myriad injuries.
Adolfo underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 and he’s since made his way back to the field. The slugger has premium bat speed, strength and huge raw power in a swing that produces loft and leverage. He displays an aggressive approach at this dish though and strikes out way too much. He has a 70-grade throwing arm still and projects as an average outfielder with decent speed for a large human. In 2021, the outfielder hit .249/.318/.525 with 15 homers and a 128 wRC+ in 57 games with the Birmingham Barons in Double-A.
The 25-year-old earned a promotion to Triple-A to close out the year with the Charlotte Knights. Adolfo slashed .240/.301/.513 with a 112 wRC+ in 44 games. The big power was on display but he sported a strikeout rate well over 30% at both stops which remains troubling. There is a big league future here because someone will take a chance on the power but his future remains a mystery.
4. Misael Gonzalez-Ranked 22nd Overall. Last Level; Kannapolis (Low-A)
With the elimination of the Great Falls affiliate, there are going to be prospects who repeat in the Arizona Complex League or prospects who get pushed aggressively to Low-A Kannapolis. Misael Gonzlez fell under the former to start the year and it was an assignment that benefitted him tremendously. The 2019 12th round selection out of Puerto Rico, started off his professional career in Arizona and picked right back up there to being the 2021 season.
In the Arizona Complex League, Gonzalez reported to his assignment with a more filled out frame and he also began to tap into his power. As a prospect known for his speed and defense, this was a pleasant surprise. In 21 games with the ACL White Sox, Gonzalez slashed .311/.393/.595 with six doubles, five home runs, 23 RBI, six walks, and 26 strikeouts.
It wasn’t long before Gonzalez deservedly earned a promotion to Kannapolis where he would conclude his 2021 season. With the Cannon Ballers, Gonzalez got off to a hot start by homering in his first at-bat. However, he would finish the year struggling for the most part. In 31 games with Kannapolis, Gonzalez slashed .178/.286/.322 with three home runs, 10 RBI, 11 walks, and 40 strikeouts.
Misael Gonzalez came into the White Sox organization with above-average speed and fielding ability. His recent development of power is something worth monitoring as he continues to make a case for himself as one of the more intriguing outfielders in the White Sox farm system. He is likely to begin the year with Kannapolis as he looks to bounce back from a tough ending to the 2021 season.
5. Chase Krogman-Ranked 26th Overall. Last Level; Kannapolis (Low-A)
After being selected in the 34th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Krogman got his first taste of professional baseball in the Arizona Complex League. An injury caused Krogman to only see action in seven games. Krogman spent all of 2021 with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. With Kannapolis, he slashed .200/.350/.348 with seven doubles, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 49 walks, and 130 strikeouts.
The strikeout numbers are alarming for Krogman, however, he didn’t see much action in 2019 and had no minor league season in 2020. Kannapolis was an aggressive push and he was definitely a candidate for a repeat in the Arizona Complex League, but Chris Getz felt otherwise. Chase Krogman did end his season on a positive note, as he slashed .371/.439/.600 with two home runs, five RBI, five walks, and 12 strikeouts over his final 10 games after some significant swing alterations.
Hopefully Krogman can keep the momentum going when he begins the 2022 season, likely with Kannapolis again. Even with the struggles, there is still a lot to like about his game. Krogman has a good feel for the strike zone and there is power potential in his bat. He also has been impressive in the field during his brief professional campaign thus far.
6. Luis Mieses-Ranked 28th Overall. Last Level; Winston-Salem (High-A)
Luis Mieses was signed for $428K out of the Dominican Republic back in July 2016 in the same class that brought Luis Robert. The 6-3 180 pound outfielder was ranked as the #22 overall prospect last year at MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old had a very solid season in 2021. The left-handed hitter struggled to start the year with a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem. After a demotion to Kannapolis, Mieses posted a 116 wRC+ with six homers and 41 runs batted in in 52 games. After returning to the Dash in August, the outfielder hit .276/.306/.507 and his power was on display as he clubbed 15 total homers.
After signing, the outfielder really struggled in rookie ball but the tools were always apparent. He possesses a pretty left-handed stroke with leverage and projectable strength. It’s a traditional right field profile with power and arm strength. Mieses needs to be much more patient and hit the ball in the air more consistently. He swings at bad pitches too often. He’s an average defender with decent speed and 2022 will be an important season for him. He missed the 2020 campaign and wasn’t at the alternate site. He could finish next year in Double-A with the Barons however.
7. Erick Hernandez-Unranked. Last Level; N/A.
Erick Hernandez, like Colas, is expected to sign with the White Sox on January 15. The deal is expected to be for at least $1.0M. Hernandez is a left-handed hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder from the Dominican Republic. He is 16-years-old with a lot of upside and this feels like an International signing that the White Sox haven’t made in years. More recently, they’ve gone with older International prospects, so it’s exciting to see them take a chance on a younger prospect.
According to MLB Pipeline, Hernandez ranks as the 28th overall prospect in this upcoming class. At 6’0″, 175-lbs, Hernandez’s hit tool (60) and power (55) are his most intriguing traits. Scouts say he has an advanced plate approach for his age and has the ability to hit both righty and lefty pitchers. Scouts also mention that he has an athletic build with plenty of room to grow and add strength as he matures.
Erick Hernandez has the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. Defensively, scouts see an ability to play all three spots, but should he move to a corner spot, they believe he has the power to play there. Hernandez is a very exciting addition to the White Sox farm system. Not only does he find himself ranked as one of the best outfielders in the organization, but he will be ranked as a top 30 prospect as well.
8. Blake Rutherford-Unranked. Last Level; Charlotte (Triple-A)
Rutherford is still just 24-years-old and remains on the White Sox 40-man roster after a disappointing season in Triple-A with the Charlotte Knights. The 6-3 205 pounder was the 18th overall selection with an over-slot bonus in the 2016 draft. The Yankees traded him to Chicago in 2017 and he hasn’t lived up to his once lofty prospect status. In 115 games with the Knights, the left-handed hitter batted .250/.286/.404 with 11 homers in a hitter’s environment. He also posted a 98 wRC+ in 118 games with Birmingham in 2019.
During the 2020 season, Rutherford played at the alternate site and the organization was happy with some of the strength gains and swing changes that were made on a daily basis. It just hasn’t translated. Still ranked #23 overall in the system at MLB Pipeline, it’s a make or break season for the Californian as roster spots are at a premium. He profiles in a corner (probably left field) so it’s imperative that he hit for more power to achieve a big league future. He’ll likely receive an invite to big league spring training at the conclusion of the lockout.
9. James Beard-Unranked. Last Level; Kannapolis; (Low-A)
Taken in the fourth round out of a small Mississippi High School in 2019, Beard possesses 80-grade speed but a pretty raw toolset outside of the running ability. The 5-10 170 pounder also shows good bat speed but there are vast hit tool concerns. The right-handed hitter and thrower batted .192/.308/.286 with five homers in Low-A Kannapolis last year. Beard struggled in rookie ball as well and has posted astronomical strikeout rates. He likely begins the 2022 season at one of the A ball affiliates.
10. Benyamin Bailey-Unranked. Last Level; AZL (R)
Bailey was kind of considered to be the international man of mystery after his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2019. The 6-4 215 pound outfielder triple slashed .324/.477/.454 with a 21% walk rate and a 166 wRC+. He missed the 2020 season due to the pandemic and worked out on his own under the development staff’s employ. The 20-year-old struggled in his stateside debut last year however. In Kannapolis, the Panamanian hit .156 with a 30% strikeout rate in 21 games.
The outfielder finished his season with 40 games in the Arizona Complex League and while he walked at a 16% clip, he posted an 87 wRC+ while hitting three homers. Bailey possesses raw batting practice power and he displays patience at the plate. Scouts have praised his size but many have questioned his athleticism and worry that he’ll eventually end up at first base. Bailey likely returns to Low-A to play for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in 2022.
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.
Featured Photo Credit: Chicago White Sox
Micker Adolfo 642 ks to 152 bb is not looking good. I would trade him and Burger and another prospect to get Nick Madrigal back asap.
I went through every Sox outfielder on this list and they are all very bad at place discipline and I dont think any will scratch the majors, although Colas and Hernandez are yet to be seen. Every one of these Sox outfielders has 120k to 20bb ratio, except Bailey in his rookie ball campaign where he dominated.