Nick Melotte's White Sox Top 20 Prospects

Want the recipe to my "secret sauce" of evaluating prospects? Give that mouse of yours a click right here for a detailed breakdown of the process.

The Grading System

My grading system will be familiar to those who keep up with college football recruiting or played the MLB2K video game series as I use a star rating system from one to five stars with half grades in between. An outline of what each level would represent looks like this, but remember these are examples and not definite.

The cream of the crop. A five star rating is reserved for the elite talents of the minor leagues. These players do not have a glaring weakness and if there is a blemish on their record, it is miniscule. Don't expect to see many of these, as this is reserved for players with the best chance to become super stars or top of the rotation stalwarts. Call this a 75-80 or A rating.

The rest of the elite. A 4.5 star rating encompasses players that are still elite, but not the potential mega stars a five star player would have. Receiving a 4.5 star rating means the player has all-star caliber potential with a good chance of being in a contending team's starting line up and have a long career. A 4.5 star pitcher could be generalized as a future #2 or 3 starter. Equal to 60-70 or A-/B+ type.

Garnering a four star rating means the player has the potential to be a productive major leaguer with an all-star season or two in his career. Four star players should develop into regulars in the lineup, dominant relief arms or a mid-rotation starters. This kind of player may have a true talent level higher but injuries may hold him back from reaching their full potential. Similar to a B/B- or 50-55 rated player.

A player receiving 3.5 stars projects to see time as starters in the majors, but more than likely on a team out of the playoff picture where a below-average season once in awhile won't kill them. Innings eating strike throwers would fall into this category, as would set up men and defensive-oriented starters. This would be a 45 or B-type of player.

Three star players are your 4th outfielders and relievers with live arms and control problems. Hitters who may lack enough tools to hold down a starting gig, futures as a platoon players, and swing men types capable of spot starting would be three star players. Recent IFA's with little or no track record usually are included here as well. A low 45/high 40 grade or C+/C type player would fall here.

Not every one gets to collect MLB paychecks, but some get them every once in awhile. 2.5 star players are your up and down guys who shuttle between the big leagues and AAA. September cups of coffee cielings fall here, as are the injury replacements and players riding the waiver wire. These players aren't expected to make any serious impact. 40 grade players and C type or lower organizational filler.

Anything below 2.5 stars is someone who doesn't project to be a major league player, therefore they are not mentioned.

Previous Team Ranks and #1 Prospects

Atlanta Braves - 2B Jose Peraza

Miami Marlins - RHP Tyler Kolek

New York Mets - RHP Noah Syndergaard

Philadelphia Phillies - SS JP Crawford

Washington Nationals - RHP Lucas Giolito

Baltimore Orioles - RHP Dylan Bundy

Boston Red Sox - 2B Yoan Moncada

New York Yankees - RHP Luis Severino

Tampa Bay Rays - SS Willy Adames

Toronto Blue Jays - RHP Aaron Sanchez

With the grading system and previous rankings out of the way now, we can crack open the AL Central and get things started with the Chicago White Sox. Here are the top 20 prospects in the White Sox organization for the 2015 season. All ages are how old they will be for the upcoming season and affiliates mentioned are where I expect them to begin the year.

Chicago White Sox

With Opening Day right around the corner, I'm facing a time crunch that won't allow me to do a breakdown for each player. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about any rankings or lack thereof, leave a comment.

1. LHSP Carlos Rodon - 22 years old, AAA Charlotte

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Blumenfield//Getty Images

2014 Stats (R, A+, and AAA) -

W	L	SV	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
0	0	0	9	7	24.2	20	9	8	0	13	38

ERA	FIP	WHIP	BB%	K%	K/BB	H9	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	BABIP
2.92	1.82	1.38	12.0	15.0	2.92	7.3	0.215	0.315	0.280	0.595	0.357

2015 Outlook -

As much as Rodon deserves to crack the rotation, there is a slim chance of that happening due to similar service time issues as another prospect from a Chicago team, Kris Bryant. Depending on how the Sox feel about Super 2 status, Rodon could be in the big leagues as soon as two weeks into the season. If they want to make sure he doesn't get an extra turn through arbitration, they could wait until June to promote him.

2. SS Tim Anderson - 22 years old, AA Birmingham

Photo courtesy of Jody Stewart/Winston-Salem Dash

2014 Stats (R, A+, and AA) -

PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO
362	345	57	104	21	7	9	40	10	5	9	82

G	BB%	SO%	XBH	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	wRC+	wOBA	ISO	BABIP
83	2.5	22.7	37	0.301	0.327	0.481	0.808	113	0.344	0.180	0.371

2015 Outlook -

Anderson spent most of the 2014 campaign with A+ Winston-Salem and was so impressive the front office had him finish the year off with a 10 game stint at AA Birmingham. That's his likely jumping off point this year as he hit well in the Carolina League despite a hyper-aggressive approach. Let's all hope he cracks double digits in walks this year.

3. RHSP Spencer Adams - 19 years old, Low A Kannapolis

Photo courtesy of Brian Carter/3NOutSports

2014 Stats (R) -

W	L	SV	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
3	3	0	10	9	41.2	49	22	17	4	4	59

ERA	FIP	WHIP	BB%	K%	K/BB	H9	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	BABIP
3.67	1.90	1.27	2.2	33.0	14.75	10.6	0.282	0.296	0.431	0.727	0.402

2015 Outlook -

Some weren't sure how well Adams would transition from small time high school ball to the pro ranks. He demolished the Arizona League and showed enough to jump the Pioneer League and start the year with Low A Kannapolis. I could see him taking a similar accelerated development path as Tyler Danish.

4. RHSP Francellis Montas - 22 years old, AA Birmingham

5. RHSP Tyler Danish - 20 years old, A+ Winston-Salem

6. 2B Micah Johnson - 24 years old, MLB Chicago

7. RHSP Chris Beck - 24 years old, MLB Chicago

8. 2B Carlos Sanchez - 23 years old, AAA Charlotte

9. 3B Trey Michalczewski - 20 years old, A+ Winston-Salem

10. RHSP David Trexler - 24 years old, Low A Kannapolis

11. LF Courtney Hawkins - 21 years old, AA Birmingham

12. RF Micker Adolfo - 18 years old, R+ Great Falls

13. LHSP Jace Fry - 21 years old, Low A Kannapolis

14. CF Jacob May - 23 years old, AA Birmingham

15. SS Tyler Saladino - 25 years old, AAA Charlotte

16. RHSP JB Wendelken - 22 years old, A+ Winston-Salem

17. LHSP Brian Clark - 22 years old, Low A Kannapolis

18. RHSP James Dykstra - 24 years old, AA Birmingham

19. CF Adam Engel - 23 years old, A+ Winston-Salem

20. LHSP Andre Wheeler - 23 years old, A+ Winston-Salem

Honorable Mentions (three star players, in no particular order) - RHP Luis Martinez, LHP Jordan Guerrero, LHP Chris Freudenberg, RHP Tanner Mendonca, RHP Tyler Barnette, RHP David Putman, LHP Devon Davis, RHP Nolan Sanburn, CF Trayce Thompson, RF Jason Coats, 3B Matt Davidson, SS Cleluis Rondon, 2B Jake Peter, 1B Keon Barnum, LF Antonio Rodriguez, SS Johan Cruz

	Chicago White Sox	Age	Pos	Team	Stars
1	Carlos Rodon	22	LHSP	AAA	4.5
2	Tim Anderson	22	SS	AA	4.5
3	Spencer Adams	19	RHSP	R	4.5
4	Francellis Montas	22	RHSP	AA	4
5	Tyler Danish	20	RHSP	A+	4
6	Micah Johnson	24	2B	AAA	4
7	Chris Beck	24	RHSP	AAA	4
8	Carlos Sanchez	23	2B	MLB	4
9	Trey Michalczewski	20	3B	A+	3.5
10	David Trexler	24	RHP	R+	3.5
11	Courtney Hawkins	21	LF	A+	3.5
12	Micker Adolfo	18	RF	R	3.5
13	Jace Fry	21	LHSP	R+	3.5
14	Jacob May	23	CF	A+	3.5
15	Tyler Saladino	25	SS	AAA	3.5
16	JB Wendelken	22	RHSP	A+	3.5
17	Brian Clark	22	LHSP	R+	3.5
18	James Dykstra	24	RHSP	A+	3.5
19	Adam Engel	23	CF	A+	3.5
20	Andre Wheeler	23	LHSP	A	3.5

Team Codes: AAA - Charlotte Knights, AA - Birmingham Barons, A+ - Winston-Salem Dash, A - Kannapolis Intimidators, R+ - Great Falls Voyagers, R - Arizona League White Sox, DSL - Dominican Summer League White Sox, DNP - Did Not Play