White Sox trade Zach Duke to Cardinals for Charlie Tilson

The Chicago White Sox have traded left-handed pitcher Zach Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfield prospect Charlie Tilson. Here's a quick take on what Tilson has to offer.

Charlie Tilson, OF: The Cardinals drafted Tilson in the second round in 2011 from high school in Winnetka, Illinois. A shoulder injury cost him all of the 2012 season but he performed well upon his return in 2013, hitting .303/.349/.388 in Low-A. He's put up steady numbers during his rise through the St. Louis system, hitting .295/.315/.388 last year in Double-A and .282/.345/.407 this year in Triple-A.

Tilson is a left-handed hitter and thrower, listed at 5-11, 195, born December 2nd, 1992. What power he has is to the pull side but generally he is a spray hitter who will lash liners to all fields. Home run power is not his strength but he can knock stuff into the gaps readily and has handled both fastballs and breaking balls well in the minors. He is a fairly aggressive hitter and doesn't draw huge numbers of walks, but he makes contact readily and has shown he can hit for average at all levels of the minors. He doesn't have the strongest arm and isn't a great fit in right field, but his range and instincts play well in left and center. He is an above-average runner and a threat to steal.

Overall, Tilson profiles as a fourth outfielder but would need to show more power to develop into a long-term regular in my view.