FutureSox is highlighting the 2024 Chicago White Sox top prospects by position. This iteration includes the notable relievers in the system. Players ages are listed in parenthesis.
Jordan Leasure, RHP (25) – #18 MLB Pipeline White Sox Prospect
Leasure has made his big league debut and he opened the 2024 campaign as a member of the White Sox’s bullpen in Chicago. The 25-year-old is the highest ranked relief prospect in the organization and he slotted in at #23 overall on the FutureSox pre-season ranking. He ranked 18th overall in the latest update from MLB Pipeline as well. The 6-2, 195 righty profiles as a high-leverage relief option and he could play a significant role for the Pale Hose in Chicago going forward. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 14th round of the 2021 draft out of The University of Tampa and he signed for $125K.
The Dodgers loved Leasure’s athleticism and he thrived in their development system. He really improved his fastball shape and velocity and it’s one of the reasons why the White Sox targeted him via trade. They acquired him along with right-hander Nick Nastrini at last year’s trade deadline in exchange for veterans Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly. After joining the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A, the rightly posted a 4.02 xFIP while punching out 23 hitters and walking eight in 13.1 innings. Prior to the deal, he had posted 56 strikeouts with 16 walks in 35 innings for the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate.
Leasure possesses an 80-grade fastball that sits in the 96-98 mph range consistently and touches triple digits. His motion includes a low release with extension and carry up in the zone. He throws and upper 80’s power slider as well and has recently added a curveball to combat lefties. It’s all about control and command for Leasure at this point. If he can harness his stuff, he profiles as a high-leverage relief option that should pitch at the back half of a big league bullpen.
Prelander Berroa, RHP (23) – #19 MLB Pipeline White Sox Prospect
Prelander Berroa was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins for $200K out of the Dominican Republic back in 2016 and he’s been traded three times since. The White Sox acquired him this off-season from the Seattle Mariners in a deal for Gregory Santos. The 23-year-old really flourished in the Seattle system and he was very good as a starting pitcher in 2022. He transitioned to a relief role last season and the White Sox have the same intentions for him. The 5-11, 170 pounder posted a 2.89 ERA while averaging 13.9 K/9 and way too many free passes in 65.1 innings in Double-A prior to his brief big league debut last season.
The stout right-hander possesses two power pitches with his fastball and slider which both present as 70-grade offerings. The fastball sits 95-98 mph and touches triple digits. His fastball explodes with late life and finish but can get too straight at times when he struggles. The slider usually registers in the upper 80’s with late, downward break. Berroa has struggled to develop a third pitch and possesses a high-effort delivery as well. He’ll be a member of the Knights bullpen in Triple-A Charlotte but is a member of the 40-man roster and should pitch in Chicago at some point this season.
Alex Speas, RHP (26)
Alex Speas made his big league debut with the World Series champion Texas Rangers last season but the White Sox claimed the 26-year-old on waivers this off-season. The 6-4, 180 pounder was originally drafted by Texas as a fire-baller out of McEachern High School in Georgia in the second round of the 2016 draft. Speas threw 56 innings in the high minors last year and registered 85 strikeouts while doing so. He is currently in the Charlotte bullpen as a member of the Knights roster in Triple-A. It’s a solid step for Speas after he seriously considered retiring from the sport and took some time off after dealing with injuries a few years ago.
Fangraphs listed Speas as the #13 overall overall prospect in the White Sox’s system this winter. He’s another power arm who projects as a potential high-leverage option in the future.
Working at Tread Athletics in the off-season, Speas has worked to tweak his pitch mix. His premium fastball still frequently gets into triple digits and touches 102 mph at its peak. He has employed more of a cutter heavy approach to assist his command issues however. Generally, the cutter sits in the 89-95 mph range and there’s an 85-87 mph slider in the arsenal as well. Speas doesn’t get as much swing and miss as he should with his stuff and he has a tendency to be really wild at times.
Bailey Horn, LHP (26)
The White Sox drafted Bailey Horn in the fifth round of the abbreviated 2020 draft and paid him $150K to sign out of Auburn. The 6-2, 210 pounder was later traded in a deadline move with the Chicago Cubs to acquire reliever Ryan Tepera in 2021. The 26-year-old southpaw was re-acquired this winter after being designated for assignment by the Northsiders. The lefty has multiple minor league options and is a member of the 40-man roster. Currently, he throwing out of the bullpen as a member of the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A’s International League.
In 53 innings pitched with Iowa last season, Horn posted a 4.58 ERA while striking out 59 hitters. He made 45 appearances for Cubs affiliates in Double-A and Triple-A last season. Horn has been inconsistent but he does possess power stuff. His fastball sits in the 94-97 mph range and touches 99 at times. The Cubs’ development team added a nasty sweeper to his repertoire however and it’s now a plus-plus offering. The lefty throws a curveball as well but the sweeper is his out pitch. The southpaw displays some violent arm action and struggles to repeat his delivery which contributes to below-average control overall. Regardless, he should make his big league debut at some point in 2024.
Eric Adler, RHP (23)
The White Sox selected Eric Adler in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of Wake Forest. The 6-2, 190 pounder pumps his fastball in the high 90’s and the pitch gets great carry. The 23-year-old also displays a breaking ball with big depth and slider velocity. He struggles to throw strikes but does have the potential for three plus offerings.
Adler profiles as a potential high-leverage option with back end upside but his struggles throwing strikes have derailed his ascension too often. Over the course of 20 innings at Winston-Salem in High-A, the right-hander posted a 2.70 ERA while averaging 10.35 K/9 but 4.95 BB/9. He also averaged 15 K/9 in 11 innings with Kannapolis in Low-A to begin the 2023 season. Adler is expected to return to High-A to begin the 2024 season but he could be in Double-A with a solid start.