CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 29: A tarp cover the field as the start of the game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees is delayed because of the weather on June 29, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
HOUSTON – OCTOBER 26: The Chicago White Sox celebrate after winning Game Four of the 2005 Major League Baseball World Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 26, 2005 in Houston, Texas. The Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 1-0 to win the World Series 4 games to 0. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
The White Sox added five prospects to their 40-man roster. This will protect those players from being Rule 5 Draft selections. The Rule 5 Draft is Dec. 14.
The Chicago White Sox filled their 40-man roster by adding five more prospects to it. This means all five players won’t be eligible to be selected as a Rule 5 Draft pick. The Rule 5 Draft is on Dec. 14 during the Winter Meetings. Teams had until 7 PM CST on Monday to add players to their rosters.
In a corresponding move, the organization outrighted Tyler Danish and Chris Beck to Triple-A Charlotte. That leaves the White Sox 40-man roster at 39.
Beck pitched out of the bullpen this season to the tune of 64 2/3 innings. However, he struggled posting a 6.40 ERA. Danish on the other hand was once thought of as a top prospect in the White Sox system. However, he struggled when he got to the higher levels of the minors. He threw in just 6 2/3 innings in the majors the past two seasons.
Check out who the White Sox added to their 40-man roster. Are you surprised by any of their additions? You can also check out the White Sox Top 30 Prospects.
SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 10: Eloy Jimenez /
Eloy Jimenez, OF
Eloy Jimenez was an obvious choice. We heard talks of him joining the 40-man roster before. He’s the number four prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline and looks to be a stud. It shouldn’t be long before we see him patrolling a the outfield for the White Sox.
He’s dominated every level of competition he’s played at. Most recently he played in the Dominican Winter League where he hit four home runs, drove in 21 RBIs, hit five doubles to go along with a .368 batting average. He’s just been unstoppable everywhere he’s gone.
It’s just a matter of time before he makes it the majors. Maybe it will be in 2018, similar to what the organization elected to do with Yoan Moncada in 2017. White Sox fans are giddy at the thought of his debut. And it probably makes it a little sweeter that he was acquired from the crosstown rival, Chicago Cubs.
Casey Gillaspie is the 11th ranked prospect in the White Sox system. The name may sound familiar. He’s the brother of former Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie. The White Sox acquired Casey from Tampa Bay in exchange for Dan Jennings.
Baseball America had him ranked as the 74th best prospect in baseball entering 2017. In 30 games at Triple-A Charlotte, he hit .210 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. Power is his best trait. Rick Hahn wanted to add power to the organization and this guy fits the bill.
Casey is a switch hitter but does most of his damage from the left side. It’s a plus because this team has lacked a power-hitting lefty since dare I say, Adam Dunn. His bat is his best asset and Casey could grow into an eventual replacement for Jose Abreu. Only time will tell, but he’s another solid addition to the 40-man roster.
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 29: A tarp cover the field as the start of the game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees is delayed because of the weather on June 29, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
Micker Adolfo, OF
Micker Adolfo is the third addition to the 40-man roster. Adolfo was the second-best prospect during the 2013-2014 international signing period. He hit .264 with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs in 112 games at Single-A Kannapolis this past season. He’s another guy in the system that has a lot of power.
The 21-year-old profiles as a right fielder and has a fantastic arm. His bat and his arm are his two best tools and should make him an interesting player to watch. The White Sox have a log jam of outfield prospects. But you can never have too many quality prospects.
Adolfo did have a great season in Single-A but we’d like to see him continue developing and take the other levels by storm. Similar to what Jimenez has done. That’s probably a lofty comparison but we can dream big!
Personally I was really high on Basabe but he hasn’t really been that impressive. And he’s slipped down the rankings within the organization. Still, he’s young and extremely raw. So there is a chance he can continue to develop. He’s a switch-hitting outfielder, who could potentially play center field. At High-A Winston Salem, he hit five home runs and had 36 RBIs, while hitting .221. He did manage to steal 21 bases.
If you read his profile on at mlbpipeline.com, they say he could be a 20-20 guy if he becomes more polished offensively. That would definitely be a welcome sight. The White Sox are looking to hit more home runs, so that type of production would help. And he has speed. So he could potentially be at the top of lineup. That sort of production is becoming the norm from the leadoff or two-spot. Of course he needs to continue to develop and seems a long way from that.
For those who don’t know, the White Sox do have some left-handed pitching in the minors. Ian Clarkin was a first round choice of the Yankees in 2013 and was part of the trade that sent the trio of Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to New York.
Clarkin wasn’t the headliner of the trade, but he has a sneaky good season at Advanced-A. For the season he made 18 appearances, 17 of which were starts, and was 4-5 with a 2.60 ERA. For Winston-Salem, he made three starts and had a 2.45 ERA.
He’s only 22 and does need some more time to develop. His fastball sits between 90-92 mph but he can occasionally hit 95. He also mixes in a changeup, slider and curveball. He has all the tools to be a solid starter, but he most likely won’t be a frontline starter. However, if the White Sox can develop him he could be a solid fourth or fifth starter in what has the makings of a really solid rotation in the future. Clarkin is the 22nd ranked prospect int he organization.
