Trey Michalczewski

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #13 prospect in 2017
  Michalczewski wasn't a regular on the amateur showcase circuit and didn't have as much exposure to high level competition as some of his peers. He was still valued enough to receive an over-slot bonus of $500,000 as a seventh-round pick in 2013. He tailed off in the second half of 2016, hitting .216/.301/.337 after the all-star break. Michalczewski looks the part, with a lean, athletic build that features a moderately high waist and wide shoulders. He has the footwork and above-average arm strength necessary to be an average defensive third baseman, though some evaluators see him profiling as a corner utility player. He has a loose swing with long levers and swooping motion that prevents his bat from staying in the zone for a long time, but that mechanism also allows him to loft the ball when he's on time. He projects as a fringe-average hitter with average power potential. Upon his jump to Double-A Birmingham, he struggled to execute an approach, often selecting poor pitches to swing at and putting himself into negative counts. He has plus raw power from both sides of the plate, though he has yet to really tap into it. Michalczewski will repeat Double-A in 2017, and he will still be one of the younger players at the level at age 22. He has a chance to develop into an average regular if he can improve his contact rate and continue to settle in defensively.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #6 prospect in 2016
  The top prep talent from Oklahoma in the 2013 draft, Michalczewski slipped to the seventh round but still commanded a bonus of $500,000, the equivalent of late third-round money. The young switch-hitter exudes athleticism and still has room in his 6-foot-3 frame to grow into more power, and he has met expectations at two full-season stops. Playing for high Class A Winston-Salem in 2015, he ranked second in the Carolina League with 35 doubles and 75 RBIs and third with 46 extra-base hits. Michalczewski's future hinges on his bat. Like so many White Sox draftees, he's athletic, somewhat raw and is a doggedly hard worker. His swing features a slight uppercut and produces leveraged, above-average power from both sides of the plate. He has made more contact (23 percent strikeouts) and hit for more power (.144 isolated slugging) from the left side in full-season ball, but he's not a slap hitter from the right side by any means--he just doesn't make as much contact. The White Sox expect him to spray the ball around and recognize pitches well enough to hit .270 with on-base skills and 15-20 homers. While not a natural at third base, Michalczewski has sound hands, a strong arm and enough range to project to average at the position. He just needs to improve his footwork to improve throwing accuracy. He's not a factor on the bases. Michalczewski will be ready for an assignment to Double-A Birmingham as a 21-year-old in 2016. While the White Sox could use help at third base sooner rather than later, he's still at least two years away from entering the big league picture.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #8 prospect in 2015
  A tight end on Jenks High's state championship team in 2013, Michalczewski was deemed the top prep prospect in Oklahoma and signed for $500,000 as a seventh-rounder. He finished 2014 at high Class A Winston-Salem, though he ran out of gas and hit just .225 in the last two months. Michalczewski in some ways is a typical White Sox draftee, for he's strong, athletic and somewhat raw. He stands out with his grinder mentality and offensive aptitude. His swing is sound from both sides of the plate, though he has more feel from the left side and more length from the right. He's confident enough to go deep in counts, and he has the average-to-plus power to profile for an infield corner. The White Sox believe in his ability at third base, and he has a solid-average arm that should be enough for the hot corner. He can get flat-footed at times, leading to some botched routine plays, but moves well for his size, and the White Sox believe he has the agility and hands to be an average defender. Other organizations aren't as confident in Michalczewski as a third baseman as farm director Buddy Bell, a former Gold Glover at the position. The White Sox believe Michalczewski can develop into a player similar to current third baseman Conor Gillaspie.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #19 prospect in 2014
  Michalczewski may be the greatest sign that with the change in draft rules, the White Sox have changed their scouting and player-development approach. Usually, the high school players the White Sox have drafted and signed are toolsy outfielders such as Courtney Hawkins or 2001 pick Chris Young. Michalczewski does have a football background, which fits Chicago's usual preference, as he played tight end at Jenks (Okla.) High, helping the team win a state championship. Despite his two-sport pedigree, Michalczewski has a fairly mature hitting approach and a sound swing from both sides of the plate. Scouts consider his hitting ability more advanced than his present power, a trait they prefer, especially in a physical, athletic player. He was a little raw at third base after playing shortstop in high school but has the arm strength and actions for the position, and he runs well for his size. He had to catch up a bit to the speed of the game in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, but managers there liked his feel for the game and considered his $500,000 signing bonus money well spent. He should earn a spot on the low Class A Kannapolis roster in 2014.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #81 prospect in 2013 draft
  Drew Ward has drawn more hype as a rare draft-eligible high school junior, but it's Michalczewski who's the best prospect among Oklahoma prep corner infielders. Ward has more power, but Michalczewski offers plenty of pop along with superior hitting skills and athleticism. A 6-foot-3, 210-pound specimen, he played tight end on Jenks' state 6-A football championship team and caught a 66-yard touchdown in the title game. He has a mature approach and bat speed from both sides of the plate, which should create solid power. He's content to drive the ball from gap to gap for now, with more home runs to come once he turns on more pitches. An average runner with good actions and a strong arm at shortstop, Michalczewski profiles as a third baseman in pro ball. Both he and Ward are Oklahoma recruits but should sign if drafted in the first four rounds.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #11 prospect in 2015
  As a young switch-hitter with an athletic body, Michalczewski draws high marks as soon as he walks out of the dugout. He's got power from both sides of the plate, though right now it's more to the gaps, for he ranked second in the Carolina League with 35 doubles and third with 46 extra-base hits. That should changes as he matures, learns the strike zone and gains additional strength. Managers around the league observed Michalczewski's improved recognition of curveballs and changeups, a good sign of untapped power potential. The big question evaluators have is whether he'll stay at third base. His hands are acceptable, but others question the mobility and throwing ability. If he does wind up moving to first base or the outfield, he faces higher expectations for his power output. One of the youngest players in the Carolina League, Michalczewski drove in 75 runs for Winston-Salem to rank second in the league, so there are plenty of positive signs to look for as he matures.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Michalczewski wasn't a regular on the amateur showcase circuit and didn't have as much exposure to high level competition as some of his peers. He was still valued enough to receive an over-slot bonus of $500,000 as a seventh round pick in 2013. He tailed off in the second half of 2016, hitting .216/.301/.337 after the all-star break. Scouting Report: Michalczewski looks the part, with a lean, athletic build that features a moderately high waist and wide shoulders. He has the footwork and above-average arm strength necessary to be an average defensive third baseman, though some evaluators see him profiling as a corner utility player. He has a loose swing with long levers and swooping motion that prevents his bat from staying in the zone for a long time, but that mechanism also allows him to loft the ball when he's on time. He projects as a fringe-average hitter with average power potential. Upon his jump to Double-A Birmingham, he struggled to execute an approach, often selecting poor pitches to swing at and putting himself into negative counts. He has plus raw power from both sides of the plate, though he has yet to really tap into it.
  
  The Future: Michalczewski will repeat Double-A in 2017, and he will still be one of the younger players at the level at age 22. He has a chance to develop into an average regular if he can improve his contact rate and continue to settle in defensively.