Terrell Tatum: White Sox 2023 Minor League Player Of The Year
Maybe it’s his size, or the fact he was relegated to DH during his final season at North Carolina State.
No matter the reason, 24-year-old Terrell Tatum is used to being overlooked.
When he was drafted by the White Sox in the 16th round in 2021, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound center fielder was not lacking motivation.
“I really believe my ability and I believe in myself,” Tatum said. “I think I’ve shown a lot of the facets of my game, from speed to my approach to my athleticism—and my power as well.
“I feel like I have all the tools to be able to play this game for a long time. It’s just about polishing up my game to make sure that I have what it takes to continue to play at a high level.”
After hitting .268/.434/.421 and stealing 32 bases in 60 games with High-A Winston-Salem, the lefthanded hitter was promoted to Double-A Birmingham.
Tatum did similar damage with the Barons and has become Chicago’s top outfield prospect.
“Terrell Tatum was undervalued (in college), but he has high-end tools,” White Sox scouting director Mike Shirley said. “He’s a big-time athlete. You’re always looking for that type of guy to drive your system.”
For all the value produced by Tatum’s .397 on-base percentage—boosted by 100 walks—or blazing speed that contributed to 47 stolen bases, he needs to make more contact after striking out 27% of the time.
“That will be one of my main focuses this offseason,” Tatum said. “No. 1: don’t miss when I go for my pitches early in counts. And No. 2: really hone in on staying in the strike zone with two strikes.
“I want to come to spring training with the mindset of, ‘I would rather strike out looking on a good pitch than strike out swinging at a bad pitch.’ “
Tatum is working toward making his MLB debut in 2024.
“Knowing that I’ve played with guys who have played in the big leagues keeps me extremely hopeful to know the work I’m doing is right and I have a chance to play in the big leagues.”
CHI-LITES
— Lefthander Noah Schultz was scratched from a scheduled start with Low-A Kannapolis in late August and shut down for the season with an impingement in his left shoulder.
— Righthanders Cristian Mena and Nick Nastrini were promoted from Double-A Birmingham to Triple-A Charlotte in late August.
