Drafted in the 16th round (487th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2003.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Armstrong was coming off a .228 season in low Class A when the White Sox plucked him from the Braves system in the Triple-A phase of the 2005 Rule 5 draft. He made big strides as a hitter in 2007, earning a spot on the 40-man roster, and has continued that development. In the Arizona Fall League, he emerged as a middle-of-the- order bat for the hitter-heavy Peoria Saguaros. Armstrong has solid power and has worked hard to improve his ability to hit for average, use all fields and work counts. Managers rated him the best defensive catcher in the Double-A Southern League. He has an average arm and threw out 36 percent of basestealers in 2008, and he's a good receiver who works well with pitchers. Armstrong is prone to extended slumps at the plate. He overthinks at times and falls into funks. He's not patient, looking to put the ball in play early in the count and drawing few walks. He runs like a catcher. His value is enhanced by being a lefthanded-hitting catcher, but the White Sox already have one in A.J. Pierzynski, so Armstrong may spend much of 2009 in Triple-A. He looked like Chicago's catcher of the future until the trade for Tyler Flowers, but he might fit well as Flowers' backup, providing quality defense and a lefty bat.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Chicago White Sox in 2009
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Southern League in 2008
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Carolina League in 2007
Scouting Reports
Armstrong was coming off a .228 season in low Class A when the White Sox plucked him from the Braves system in the Triple-A phase of the 2005 Rule 5 draft. He made big strides as a hitter in 2007, earning a spot on the 40-man roster, and has continued that development. In the Arizona Fall League, he emerged as a middle-of-the- order bat for the hitter-heavy Peoria Saguaros. Armstrong has solid power and has worked hard to improve his ability to hit for average, use all fields and work counts. Managers rated him the best defensive catcher in the Double-A Southern League. He has an average arm and threw out 36 percent of basestealers in 2008, and he's a good receiver who works well with pitchers. Armstrong is prone to extended slumps at the plate. He overthinks at times and falls into funks. He's not patient, looking to put the ball in play early in the count and drawing few walks. He runs like a catcher. His value is enhanced by being a lefthanded-hitting catcher, but the White Sox already have one in A.J. Pierzynski, so Armstrong may spend much of 2009 in Triple-A. He looked like Chicago's catcher of the future until the trade for Tyler Flowers, but he might fit well as Flowers' backup, providing quality defense and a lefty bat.
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