2007 Chicago White Sox Prospects

by John Sickels on Dec 23, 2006 12:06 AM EST in News Comment 18 comments

Ryan Sweeney, OF, Grade B (great swing but I still doubt his power)
Gio Gonzalez, LHP, Grade B (control and consistency were issues in Double-A)
Josh Fields, 3B, B (developing his tools, but still strikes out a lot)
Lance Broadway, RHP, B- (polished but not a lot of upside)
Charlie Haeger, RHP, B- (knuckleballer is hard to predict, could turn into anything)
Aaron Cunningham, OF, B- (good tools, skills are advancing)
Kyle McCulloch, RHP, B- (polished but not a lot of upside)
Chris Carter, 1B, C+ (impressive raw power but will need time)
Matt Long, RHP, C+ (throws hard but secondary stuff is shaky, numbers horrible)
Boone Logan, LHP, C+ (should be a good LOOGY, not a good sign that he's rated this high)
Jack Egbert, RHP, C+ (sleeper swingman type prospect)
Dewon Day, RHP, C+ (This is a stretch grade and C would be more appropriate probably, but I really like his arm and I think he is a sleeper I want to point out)
Sean Tracey, RHP, C (needs better command)
Adam Russell, RHP, C (another guy who needs better secondary stuff)
Ray Liotta, LHP, C (completely fell apart)
Lucas Harrell, RHP, C (another good fastball who needs better secondary stuff)
Jerry Owens, OF, C (Ok as a reserve outfielder)
Clayton Richard, LHP, C (bothered by knee injury)
Justin Cassel, RHP, C (interesting arm from '06 draft)
Carlos Vazquez, LHP, C (fallback LOOGY if Logan fails, rule 5 guy)

Others to Consider: Lee Cruz, OF-2B; Justin Edwards, LHP; Chris Getz, 2B; Francisco Hernandez; C; Pedro Lopez, INF; Donny Lucy, C: Brian Omogrosso, RHP; Oneli Perez, RHP; Heath Phillips, LHP; Tyler Reves, C; Jason Rice, RHP; John Shelby, 2B: Robert Valido, SS.

The White Sox in One Sentence: This system has thinned out considerably, as even the best prospects have a questionmark or two, with lack of positional depth a serious issue.

As with all systems that are rather thin, the mass of Grade C guys is indistinguishable and can be moved up or down at will, depending on taste.

ALL GRADES ARE PRELIMINARY. If you hate a grade, feel free to make a case for me to change it, though remember that cases phrased respectfully using logic and facts are more likely to be viewed positively than those featuring insults and invective.

There is a lot of slack in the B-/C+/C range and players may move up and down depending on how my thinking progresses. Feel free to make comments, point out sleepers I may have missed, etc. Note that there is only a limited amount of space in the book, and the max I can do is 35-36 players per team.

And, as always, there is the helpful reminder to Buy My Book, which will lay out reports for all these guys (and more) in detail.

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Comments

John

I feel bad that you had to try and come up with 20 names for the Sox. The top five-six are okay, but from about eight to twenty, you could just pick names out of a hat and nobody would notice the difference.

My only gripe is Oneli Perez not being in the top twenty, but that's now two publications (you and Phil Rogers) who have left Perez out of the top twenty. I know he doesn't possess Grade A stuff, but he tore through A and AA last year. I would think at the very least he would be in the top fifteen, if not a fringe top ten guy.

And, although they don't necessarily qualify as prospects, the Sox have added three high-upside arms who Don Cooper might be able to help in Aardsma, Sisco, and Floyd. Couple that with Brandon McCarthy, and the aformentioned Gonzalez, Broadway, and Haeger, and the pitching side of things isn't all gloom and doom.

Haeger in particular will be interesting to watch. At 23, he has to be one of the youngest to 'master' the knuckler. He doesn't have a spot in the Sox' rotation this year, but it'll be interesting to see what becomes of him. I'd like the Sox to keep him as the sixth man in the bullpen, as having a guy who could pitch (more or less) everyday would give Ozzie some major leeway, but I could understand if they want a more 'consistent' pitcher in that sixth spot.

by CWSKeith on Dec 23, 2006 12:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Question

John, I'm kind of surprised by Heath Phillips not even making the top 20. I figured him for at least a LOOGY, but potentially a 4th or 5th starter. Is there something I'm really missing here? I have him ahead of Liotta right now as well as Logan, and right there with Broadway/Haeger/McCulloch to be honest. Maybe a B- is a bit high, but he's a C+ at least. I was honestly shocked when I didn't see him in the top 20.

I don't get enjoyment out of reading baseball books. I'd rather watch a sci-fi movie on TV. -Joe Morgan, Emmy winning BASEBALL analyst

by gatling on Dec 23, 2006 12:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gio Gonzalez

I don't understand how having control issues after a promotion make a guy's grade go from B+ to a flat B. Players often struggle after promotions and his lack of control was EXTREMELY uncharacteristic, so it would be reasonable to expect that problem to be fixed quickly. I still think Gio was one of the most underrated pitchers in the minors

by rangersfan24 on Dec 23, 2006 12:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i dont agree

his homerunrate had gone up gradually at each level before finally exploding at the AA level.

short lefties who give up tons of homeruns to go along with injury concerns doesnt really make him that underrated in my opinion.

by npurcell on Dec 23, 2006 12:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

are we talking about the same gio

because 1. any injuries he's had have been MINOR, as he pitched over 130 innings last year and 124 this year. for a young pitcher in the minors that is actually a hefty load. and 2. giving up a ton of home runs?? he gave up 8 last year, that isnt very much. And I would say going from 3 to 5 home runs while making a transition is pretty damn gradual

by rangersfan24 on Dec 23, 2006 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HRs

Part of the problem was that he pitched a large amount of his innings last year at home (Reading) which, IIRC, is an extreme hitters and HR park. He pitched 40 more innings at Reading, and it showed, as he gave up 17 homers at home compared to seven on the road.

That's not to say his HR rate is very good at all, it's clearly one of his weaknesses. But he still has great stuff and he's been young for his level for his short time in the minors. His issues are command related. Lots of walks forcing him to throw some 2-0, 3-1 cookies.

by CWSKeith on Dec 23, 2006 1:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks for this info

i did not know about Reading's ballpark. However, I still disagree that it is a major weakness. 8 home runs in 130 innings isnt bad. 24 in a season obviously is, but nothing about his record suggests that is what you can expect from him

by rangersfan24 on Dec 23, 2006 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ricardo Nanita

Surprised not to see him get a mention. Moderately notable drop in OPS, but otherwise was consistent at AA in 2006 with his A production that earned him a Top 20 rating in 2005.

by StickRat on Dec 23, 2006 3:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

faster, john!

faster!

by wily mo on Dec 23, 2006 5:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sweeney's Power

I'm curious as to why John doubts Sweeney's power. I don't think he's ever going to have huge power numbers in the big leagues, but the Sox have always thought 20-HR power would eventually come around and he really took off late in the 2006 season while p;laying in a tough pitcher's park. Seems like everything is in place for him to hit 15-20 home runs next year.

by FI on Dec 23, 2006 8:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Power

He also had offseason wrist surgery prior to last year. And a great sign was his ISO power went up each and EVERY month of the season. That is no fluke when it goes up consistently like that as opposed to a hot streak or two. I personally think Sweeney is going to have a huge year this year and destroy the International League with his surgery a full year behind him. Don't forget he was kind of young for the International League last year, too.

by mcq fesijiba on Dec 24, 2006 7:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

John, I love the logo....thanks !

I know that you and others have always questioned Sweeney's power and are waiting for proof. I think you'll see it this year. He should hit 20+.

I'm sure that if it doesn't come, the Sox enthusiasm will be tempered as well. There's a big diff. between him being a 15 homer guy and a 25-30 guy, which I predict that he will be.

I think Fields is the greater mystery. Some say that he'll be a monster and that he is such a great athlete that he will overcome his deficiencies. Ofcourse, we've all heard that before.

However, due to the Joe Crede situation, Fields ascent is very key to the White Sox.

Overall, great work, John !

Thanks and enjoy the holidays.

by White Sox Randy on Dec 23, 2006 11:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sweeney's Ceiling?

How high of an average can he hit for?

by ISC on Dec 23, 2006 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Robert Valido...what is this guy's deal?

What do you think has caused Valido to go from one of the Sox most promising prospects in 2003 to barely making the "others" list in 2006? Injuries? Poor performance? Any ideas?

Jeremiah 29:11

by BowmanChromeAddict on Dec 23, 2006 2:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Danks

How high would Danks be on this list if that trade had happened 24 hours earlier? He's clearly top-4, but it's definitely arguable that he would be a B+ and therefore #1.

by drob320 on Dec 23, 2006 3:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs