Chicago White Sox 2019 Top 30 MLB Prospects Midseason Update

Andrew Vaughn. The team should be sellers again at the trade deadline. The White Sox are still a ways way, with needs to fill in the outfield and on the pitching staff, but there is positive momentum.

---

1. Luis Robert, OF

After a year beset by adjustments and injuries, the multi-talented outfielder is proving why he’s one of the best prospects in the sport. Triple-A will be a big test, but he has the potential to be a true center fielder with huge offensive impact.  

2. Andrew Vaughn, 1B

The No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, Vaughn was the best hitter on the board and could fit the mold of the classic big, hairy monster in the middle of a lineup.

3. Dylan Cease, RHP

Improved arm action led to improved command, which led to his first big league callup. He still needs to refine his fastball command, but his offspeed pitches will get him plenty of swings and misses.

4. Michael Kopech, RHP

Kopech showed impressive stuff in his big league debut last season, but Tommy John surgery will keep him out until the middle of 2020.

5. Nick Madrigal, 2B

An absolute contact machine, Madrigal has the skills to hit toward the top of a lineup and create havoc on the bases. If he continues to show immaculate barrel awareness with the new, juicier Triple-A baseball, his power could improve dramatically.

6. Matthew Thompson, RHP

Thompson has a high-end, if inconsistent, fastball that has touched the mid-90s. He couples it with a snappy slider and a projectable frame that could lead to a power profile.  

7. Andrew Dalquist, RHP

Chicago’s third-rounder in the 2019 draft, Dalquist couples a three-pitch mix fronted by an above-average fastball with a projectable frame and easy delivery. He also earned a strong reputation as a strike-thrower.

8. Blake Rutherford, OF

Rutherford started the season slowly but has worked diligently to adopt a more all-fields approach. He’s been extremely impressive in the second half and has begun showing the power he’ll need in order to fit in a corner outfield spot.

9. Steele Walker, OF

Walker is a high-floor outfielder with a chance to play center field, but his more likely role is in left field with as an average hitter with power that could get to average with further development.

10. Luis Gonzalez, OF

The White Sox are still optimistic about Gonzalez’s future, but outside evaluators have serious concerns about his approach and whether he’ll get to his power enough to fit in a corner. 

11. Dane Dunning, RHP

12. Zack Collins, C

13. Micker Adolfo, OF

14. Gavin Sheets, 1B

15. Jonathan Stiever, RHP

16. James Beard, OF

17. Konnor Pilkington, LHP

18. Bryce Bush, OF

19. Anderson Comas, OF

20. Luis Mieses, OF

21. Ian Hamilton, RHP

22. Alec Hansen, RHP

23. Luis Basabe, OF

24. Lenyn Sosa, SS

25. Caberea Weaver, OF

26. Codi Heuer, RHP

27. Damon Gladney, 3B

28. Seby Zavala, C

29. Jake Burger, 3B

30. Kodi Medeiros, LHP

Rising

RHP Jonathan Stiever has made a big impression this year and is considered by some outside evaluators as the best arm in Chicago’s system.

OF Bryce Bush’s numbers aren’t particularly impressive, but scouts are uniformly intrigued by his set of loud tools. 

Falling

RHP Alec Hansen continues to have excellent stuff, but inconsistencies with mechanics and command have severely limited its effectiveness. It’s been an on-again, off-again problem for Hansen going back to his college days at Oklahoma.

RHP Lincoln Henzman hasn’t shown scouts enough to believe he fits in a big league rotation. 

Hurting

RHPs Michael Kopech, Dane Dunning and Jimmy Lambert, as well as OF Micker Adolfo, have each had Tommy John surgery and are in varying stages of rehab.

RHP Ian Hamilton suffered severe facial injuries after he was hit in the face by a line drive.

3B Jake Burger sustained a severely bruised heel while recovering from a second surgery to repair a torn Achilles.

Graduate

OF Eloy Jimenez was signed to a big league contract toward the close of spring training and has begun capitalizing on his massive potential with the White Sox. An ulnar nerve injury has slowed him down recently, but he remains a long-term fixture for the White Sox’s rebuild.