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Monday, November 17, 2008

Baseball America’s Top 10 Prospects: Chicago White Sox

So much for my Kinnis Pledger RC’s. Bummer.

1. Gordon Beckham, ss
2. Aaron Poreda, lhp
3. Clayton Richard, lhp
4. Brandon Allen, 1b
5. Jordan Danks, of
6. Chris Getz, 2b
7. John Shelby, of
8. John Ely, rhp
9. Cole Armstrong, c
10. Eduardo Escobar, ss

Fields, second baseman Chris Getz and maybe even Owens may get a chance to become regulars in 2009. Further away but more promising is a group of 2008 draftees—shortstop Gordon Beckham, third baseman Brent Morel and center fielder Jordan Danks—who have significantly replenished the system’s inventory of promising position players. First baseman Brandon Allen also took a huge step forward in 2008 and appears on the verge of moving into the conversation as an eventual replacement for Paul Konerko as Chicago looks to get younger and more athletic.

The system’s pitching depth took a hit with the Swisher trade, though lefties Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard are close to being ready to assume prominent roles with the White Sox. Richard was their most impressive pitcher in the AL Division Series against the Rays. Righty Adam Russell also had his moments in the bullpen, winning three games in one nine-day span.

Repoz Posted: November 17, 2008 at 06:15 PM | 12 comment(s)
Related News: General, Minor Leagues, Prospect Reports, Scouting, Chi White Sox

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1. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: November 17, 2008 at 05:27 PM (#3011127)

Bad list. As an indication, #9 Cole Armstrong isn't far removed from being a AAA phase Rule 5 pick.

2. CWS Keith Posted: November 17, 2008 at 05:46 PM (#3011142)

Bad list. As an indication, #9 Cole Armstrong isn't far removed from being a AAA phase Rule 5 pick.

It's bad, no doubt, but compared to last season it looks glorious. Seriously -- after the (first) Swisher trade, the Sox were looking at Poreda (who hadn't even touched AA yet) and Egbert as their two best prospects. The group above still isn't comparatively great or even average, but at the very least there's now two legit prospects on there (Beckham is kicking some major ass in the AFL and Poreda could probably step in and be a dominant reliever next season, if the Sox choose to go in that direction) combined with a couple other interesting characters -- Allen has big-time power and is coming off a very nice season and Danks is a nice project in the lower minors. Furthermore, the Sox are said to be in on the bidding for the 19 year-old Cuban kid (Viciedo?) and they'll also be getting some draft picks through Cabrera's departure.

Edited for grammar and added adjectives.

3. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: November 17, 2008 at 07:42 PM (#3011220)

As much as I'd like to see a position player come up through the system and contribute, I'm perfectly happy to have Kenny use the farm to cultivate trade bait.

4. Kyle C welcomes back our OBP Savior Posted: November 17, 2008 at 09:18 PM (#3011274)

Speaking of Beckham, I went to an AFL game last week and he looked awesome. Had a crushed LD HR to LF and had at least one other really hard hit ball. The ball obviously carries in the AFL, but if he can swing like that he's going to have quite a few XBH.

5. John DiFool2 Posted: November 17, 2008 at 10:31 PM (#3011309)

John Shelby, of

Junior?

6. Don Guillote (The Cheat) Posted: November 17, 2008 at 11:07 PM (#3011316)

I'm perfectly happy to have Kenny use the farm to cultivate trade bait.

So that he can turn them into lesser prospects 11 months later?

7. I am Ted F'ing Williams Posted: November 18, 2008 at 03:10 PM (#3011765)

and they'll also be getting some draft picks through Cabrera's departure.

Don't they have to offer him arbitration or hope someone signs him early in order to get those picks?

Surprised Cole Armstrong is on the list and Jon Link isn't. Oh wait, Phil Rogers wrote this.

8. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 18, 2008 at 03:29 PM (#3011801)

John Shelby, of
Junior?

He is the son of the former major leaguer, and they are both John T., but the younger Shelby does not go by Junior.

-- MWE

EDIT: He's actually John T. Shelby III.

9. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 18, 2008 at 03:41 PM (#3011825)

Danks should be #3, ahead of Richard and Allen. Richard's a finesse lefty who Rogers compares (inappropriately) to Mark Buehrle. Allen's a first baseman with a weight problem and strikeout tendencies who took two years to get past Kannapolis.

It's not a terrible list - the top 2 are as good as most teams have there, and Danks and Shelby have quite a bit of talent as well. But the system isn't deep and the bottom of it is pretty bad.

-- MWE

10. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: November 18, 2008 at 03:53 PM (#3011844)

So that he can turn them into lesser prospects 11 months later?

Well, the key is that Kenny can't afford screw-ups like the Swisher trade. It's fine to continue to trade prospects to not-so-bright GMs who think they'll amount to something (they never do), but you need to get something back of real value.

11. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 18, 2008 at 04:10 PM (#3011859)

FWIW: I'd flip-flop Shelby and Getz, then put Marquez just ahead of Getz on this list, and Nunez just ahead of Armstrong.

-- MWE

12. I am Ted F'ing Williams Posted: November 21, 2008 at 11:30 AM (#3013805)

This just in: Allen, Link, and Nunez added to the 40-man roster.

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