White Sox: 5 under-the-radar players to watch this spring
Jul 9, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Rob Brantly (19) connects for three-run homer during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Temperatures may be below freezing in Chicago, but the hype surrounding the South Siders is hotter than ever, because Chicago White Sox spring training is officially underway.
Though full-squad workouts aren’t set to begin until February 24, a significant portion of the White Sox contingent is already in camp.
Prospects like Carlos Rodon, Micah Johnson, and Tim Anderson have been grabbing all the headlines, but there is some intrigue beyond the bigger names in the system.
Whether these players have a chance at the final opening day roster spot, some could see time in Chicago at some point in ’15, or are simply depth that can be used in a midseason trade.
Here are five under-the-radar names to watch this spring from the White Sox organization.
Next: Under the Radar: Trayce Thompson
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Trayce Thompson (OF)
Mar 10, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Trayce Thompson (75) swings against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Trayce Thompson is probably one of the more recognizable names on this list because he does check in at #14 on MLBPipeline.com’s rankings of the top 20 organizational prospects.
For those of you who know Thompson, it probably feels like the 23-year old as been in the organization forever. That’s because he has, as this will be the outfielder’s seventh season with the club.
Thompson is a former second round draft pick from 2009, and has shown a nice blend of speed and power throughout his minor league career.
In 2014, Thompson posted a .237 average with 16 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and an additional 40 extra base hits that didn’t leave the yard while with Double-A Birmingham. MLB Pipeline at least notes his potential, saying this of Thompson:
Thompson strikes out too much to hit for a high average, but he is capable of contributing in all of the other phases of the game. Thompson’s quick bat and long levers give him above-average raw power. He runs well for a big man, and he has an average arm, which allows him to play all three outfield positions.
That profile sounds like the perfect piece to complete Chicago’s roster. Thompson can supply major-league caliber defense at all outfield positions now and could offer some right-handed power off the bench.
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While J.B. Shuck probably has the edge on anyone in camp for the final roster spot, I think Thompson will be his greatest challenger. It is really a matter of how the White Sox envision him long-term.
Thompson will look to make a splash this spring
While Thompson could potentially see time in Triple-A and develop into a feasible regular, the White Sox outfield is as crowded for the foreseeable future as the U.S. Cellular stands hopefully will be. The more ideal fit for Thompson may in fact be as a fourth outfielder.
When the White Sox acquired Jeff Samardzija from the Athletics, I was glad to see that Thompson wasn’t a part of the package because I think he’s an athletic player who deserves to see the big league field at some point in his career.
At the moment, his brother Klay Thompson is excelling in the NBA as a member of the Splash Brothers duo, and this spring, Thompson will look to make a splash of his own.
Next: Under the Radar: Tyler Saladino
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Tyler Saladino (IF/OF)
Tyler Saladino
(Photo credit: MiLB.com)
Anderson and Johnson are certainly flashier names, but Tyler Saladino put together a solid 2014 before he underwent Tommy John surgery in August. Saladino posted a .310/.367/.483 over 82 games at Triple-A Charlotte while showing some defensive versatility.
His .367 OBP was just above career norms, but his average was significantly better than anything he had previously shown in lower levels of the system. So the question with Saladino is, how much of his 2014 is the real deal?
Saladino’s greatest asset is that he can play shortstop and has the chance to give veteran Alexei Ramirez some rest. He even spent some time in left field, which means he could have an impact as a super-utility type in ’15.
With Gordan Beckham and Emilio Bonifacio already serving roles that would fit Saladino, I think he’ll have a difficult time getting to Chicago out of spring training.
Rebound candidate Matt Davidson is ahead of him on the depth chart for third base, and that is the other position where Saladino theoretically could vie for the most playing time.
Saladino is worth watching over the next few weeks not only because he is a crucial depth piece, but also because his value could best be served in a midseason trade. If the White Sox go after a big name player at the trade deadline, players such as Frank Montas or Tyler Danish might headline the package, but Saladino could very well be another significant piece in the deal.
Thus, his performance this month has other meaningful ramifications aside from his push to see time on the South Side in ’15.
Next: Under the Radar: Chris Beck
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Chris Beck (RHP)
Feb 22, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Chris Beck (71) poses for a photo during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Beck. Repeat that in your head because it is a name you need to know.
As it stands now, Frank Montas’ best chance to see time in the big leagues in ’15 is as a reliever, while Erik Johnson needs to have a considerable rebound if he ever wants to see the mound at U.S. Cellular again. That leaves Beck as the White Sox’s most viable rotation replacement from the right-side.
Beck is a non-roster invitee this spring, and will try to prove why he was a second-round draft pick in 2012. The 24-year old is the White Sox’s #12 prospect and possesses an above average fastball and change-up according to MLBPipeline.com.
Beck has been on my radar for awhile now because there’s always been buzz about him being a potential steal. Rowan Kaver wrote this about Beck shortly after he was drafted:
“If the White Sox can return Beck to his previous form, they may get a top-10 talent.”
Granted, it has been almost three years since Beck was drafted and he hasn’t exactly lived up to this lofty ceiling. Regardless, the stuff is there. Beck pitched to a 3.54 ERA across stints in Birmingham and Charlotte last year, sporting a 7.6 SO/9 rate over 7 starts with Charlotte.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Beck broke out in 2015 at the triple-A level, considering he has the repertoire to succeed. While Beck may not be a big strikeout guy and may no longer have front end potential, he’s the closest right-hander to the majors in the White Sox system.
If Hector Noesi doesn’t prove to be serviceable, Beck is next in line to take his place as the second right-hander in the rotation.
Next: Under the Radar: Rob Brantley
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Rob Brantly (C)
Jul 2, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Rob Brantly (19) fields a ground ball for an out in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
When the White Sox signed catcher Geovany Soto to a minor league deal in January, he immediately was pegged as the favorite to claim the backup catcher’s spot. As a result Soto will get the most hype this spring because he’s a solid veteran who really only needs to show he’s healthy to earn a spot behind the plate.
Outside of Soto, most White Sox fans are probably focussed on veteran catcher George Kottaras, who was brought in via a minor league deal in December. Kottaras is intriguing because of the power he offers from the left-side, but his defense leaves much to be desired.
What a lot of people might forget is that before these aforementioned moves, the White Sox claimed catcher Rob Brantly off waivers from the Miami Marlins right at the start of the Winter Meetings.
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- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
This move was lost in the subsequent frenzy that ensued, but Brantly would actually be a good option to back up Tyler Flowers in ’15 despite his sub par defense.
Brantly shined to a .290 average over 31 games with the Marlins in late 2012, but imploded to a .528 OPS over a 67 game stretch when he was given the chance to start with Miami in 2013. Brantly spent 2014 in the minors and didn’t perform much better.
Still, Brantly is just 25-years old, bats left-handed, and was once a top prospect in both the Marlins’ and Detroit Tigers’ farm systems before he made it to the big leagues.
With a hot spring by Brantly and a injury-riddled spring by Soto, Brantly could easily find his way to the South Side in ’15.
Next: Under the Radar: Dan Black
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Dan Black (1B)
Dan Black
(Photo credit: MiLB.com)
First-baseman Dan Black is my dark horse for 2015. He’s 27-years old and will be in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Black doesn’t register a blip on any casual scans of Chicago’s system, but he’s quietly put together some solid numbers throughout his minor league career.
Black had a .768 OPS in 48 games as a member of Triple-A Charlotte in ’14.
Last fall, 1B prospect Andy Wilkins looked undeniably overmatched against major league pitching and with Dayan Viciedo now out of the organization, Black is in a position to potentially see a look at first base or designated hitter in the event of an injury to Adam LaRoche or Jose Abreu.
First-baseman Dan Black is my dark horse for 2015
I’m not saying Dan Black is going to become a household name, but the switch-hitter is very much under the radar and doesn’t have much ahead of him on the depth chart.
With an exceptionally strong spring, Black could put himself into the ’15 conversation as a trade piece, injury depth, or even as a September call up.