2017 Chicago White Sox Midseason Top 10 Prospects

White Sox Midseason Top 10

1. Yoan Moncada, 2B

2. Eloy Jimenez, OF

3. Michael Kopech, RHP

4. Luis Robert, OF

5. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP

6. Lucas Giolito, RHP

7. Dylan Cease, RHP

8. Jake Burger, 3B

9. Dane Dunning, RHP

10. Alec Hansen, RHP

As it turns out, the twin blockbuster trades the White Sox pulled off at last year’s winter meetings were only the beginning of their system overhaul. After trading Adam Eaton to the Nationals and Chris Sale to the Red Sox, Chicago still had plenty of intriguing pieces to deal.

In mid-July, they began enacting part two of their plan by sending lefty Jose Quintana, who was both productive and cheap, to the Cubs for a four-player package headlined by outfielder Eloy Jimenez and righthander Dylan Cease.

With Jimenez in tow and Yoan Moncada added in trade, the White Sox now have two of the top five prospects in baseball. Moreover, of their Top 10 prospects, only one—Alec Hansen—was in the system prior to last December. Of the remaining nine, seven were added via trade, one (Luis Robert) was signed as an international free agent and another (Jake Burger) was drafted this year.

Their system is already in its best shape in years and is approaching the best in the game, and it could get even better over the next couple of weeks. With closer David Robertson and third baseman Todd Frazier sure to be hot commodities at the trade deadline, the White Sox are in position to add even more high-value prospects to an already enviable collection.

1. Yoan Moncada, 2B
Triple-A Charlotte
Age: 22

After coming over from the Red Sox as the headliner in a four-player package that sent Chris Sale to Boston, Moncada has been as advertised. He’s shown above-average or better tools in all five categories, and is still believed to have a future as a perennial all-star. He’s worked and made strides with Charlotte manager Mark Grudzielanek on the finer points of playing second base, including turning the double play and how to position himself on shifts. About the only question with Moncada so far is why his above-average raw power hasn’t translated into home runs. The White Sox say a thumb injury early in the season impacted his power. Now fully healthy, they expect to see Moncada to go deep more often as refines his approach.

2. Eloy Jimenez, OF
High Class A Winston-Salem
Age: 20

Acquired in the mega-deal that sent Jose Quintana to the Cubs, Jimenez would be the No. 1 prospect in nearly every other system. Evaluators who recommended the White Sox acquire Jimenez saw an impact offensive player with the potential to hit for both a high average and massive power. He’s got at least 70 raw power, if not 80, on the 20-80 scouting scale and is a key part of the White Sox’s rapid rebuild.

3. Michael Kopech, RHP
Double-A Birmingham
Age: 21

Kopech was another highlight of the Chris Sale trade, and the big-armed righthander has performed up to standard as well. His fastball regularly visits triple-digits, and both his slider and changeup have shown plus potential. The White Sox have worked with Kopech to throw his slider more often and lean away from his instincts to simply blow away hitters with heat. Double-A pitching coach Jose Bautista has also added a two-seam fastball to Kopech’s arsenal in an effort to help keep his pitch counts lower.

4. Luis Robert, OF
DSL White Sox
Age: 19

The White Sox inked Robert to a minor league deal with a $26 million bonus in late May, just before new rules governing international signees took effect. For that money they got a young, talented Cuban dripping with tools. Those in the organization who’ve seen him early see a player with the potential to hit for both average and power and create havoc on the basepaths with his well above-average speed.

5. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP
Triple-A Charlotte
Age: 23

Lopez still shows premium stuff, but his command and control have a tendency to wander and as a result most evaluators see him as a reliever. When he stays closed through his delivery he can be dominant. When he gets offline, however, he’ll produce disaster starts. He also needs to work on keeping his curveball and slider from blending together.

6. Lucas Giolito, RHP
Triple-A Charlotte
Age: 23

The White Sox have worked extensively with Giolito to simplify his delivery and improve his fastball command. When he’s out of whack, he gets crushed—it’s that simple. When he gets his delivery flowing smoothly, however, he’s got the potential to throw no-hitters, something he did this season. He’s continued refining his changeup and has added a slider to get in on the hands of lefties, but command of his delivery and fastball will always be his key.

7. Dylan Cease, RHP
Low Class A Kannapolis
Age: 21

Cease possesses premium stuff, including a mid-to-upper 90s fastball that has touched 100 mph and a knockout 12-to-6 curveball, but also shaky command and control and has already had Tommy John, making him risky. He has a changeup that projects to average as well. If he doesn’t succeed as a starter, Cease could use his fastball and curveball and be an impact reliever.

8. Jake Burger, 3B
Rookie-level AZL
Age: 21

Burger earned a reputation as a polished, powerful hitter at Missouri State and was drafted No. 11 overall in June. Burger owns above-average bat speed and a polished approach that allows him to lay off breaking pitches and sit on fastballs, which he consistently crushes. There’s a chance he’ll stick at third base, but it will take work on both Burger’s and the White Sox’s part.

9. Dane Dunning, RHP
High Class A Winston-Salem
Age: 22

Dunning blitzed through the South Atlantic League before earning a promotion to high Class A. He’s been very good at his new level, but there are a few kinks to work out, too. Dunning will occasionally get out of sync in his delivery and has trouble staying over his front side. Even so, the White Sox are pleased with Dunning’s progress and see him as a mid-rotation starter.

10. Alec Hansen, RHP
High Class A Winston-Salem
Age: 22

A big pitcher with a big arm and scattershot control, Hansen worked with Kannapolis pitching coach Matt Zaleski to keep him over the rubber and downhill through his delivery. The result has been crisper stuff and a 7-5, 2.78 mark at two class A levels with 111 strikeouts and 32 walks in 90.2 innings.

RISING

• The only reason RHP Spencer Adams isn’t in the Top 10 is because of the additions of Jimenez and Cease. Adams works quickly with his low-90s fastball and an above slider to get his outs. He’s got above-average control and projects as a back end starter.

• OF Micker Adolfo has a dozen home runs this year and has begun to show the promise the White Sox expected when they signed him in July 2013.

• 3B Nicky Delmonico is 25 and is well-traveled, but he’s having a solid season in Triple-A and has shown defensive versatility.

FALLING

• C Zack Collins has been dinged for both his defense and his offense this year, and evaluators have pointed to a hitch at the top of his swing that has kept him from hitting for a high average.

• The White Sox have worked to smooth out RHP Carson Fulmer’s delivery, but he hasn’t performed at Triple-A the way the team would like.

HURTING

• Hard-throwing RHP Zack Burdi left a July 10 game with an elbow injury and will likely have Tommy John surgery.

• RHP Jordan Stephens was held back with tendinitis in his right elbow before making his season debut on June 3.

• OF Alex Call is rehabbing in the Rookie-level Arizona League after an intercostal strain sidelined him in early April.

GRADUATING

• C Omar Narvaez, originally recommended by the White Sox’s scouting department as a minor league Rule 5 pick, has developed into a reliable, defensive-minded major leaguer.

• 3B Matt Davidson has provided big-time power (his 18 home runs are tied with such notables as Edwin Encarnacion and Manny Machado) at third base, albeit with a heap of strikeouts thrown in.

• RHP Chris Beck has pitched well enough to work himself into a larger role in the White Sox’s bullpen.