White Sox have a loaded farm system with many top prospects, but there are a few fringe prospects who can make positive impacts this year and beyond.
With so much hype up and coming in the White Sox farm system, it is easy for the lower rated prospects to be forgotten. The higher rated prospects, such as Eloy Jimenez, Michael Kopech, along with others, have the skill and potential so great that they basically eclipse the skill of other prospects who would more than likely be cherished more by other organizations. Instead, they now sit in the shadows of the hype that is the White Sox future.
The purpose of this article is to bring attention to those players. Their skill more than qualifies them as a talented prospect, and for the duration of this article, their skill will be the main focus.
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Casey Gillaspie – 1B (#11 on White Sox Prospect List)
Gillaspie, the younger brother of former White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie, just missed the top 100 list. Much like his older brother, Casey played at Wichita State. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 20th overall pick in 2014. His potential was on display in 2016, leading the Rays farm system with 18 home runs. The only thing that lowered his value and allowed the White Sox to acquire him in a one-for-one swap for Dan Jennings was his slump during the 2017 season.
A switch-hitter, Gillaspie’s power potential is very good. So good that the day we will see him contributing at a major league level is inevitable. To compliment his power, Gillaspie is also viewed as an above-average defender. As a first baseman, the hope is that one day he will be able to take over part time there to allow Jose Abreu to become a designated hitter.
Evan Skoug – C (#24 on White Sox Prospect List)
Any catcher with a relatively high ceiling is an asset for the White Sox. It has been quite a while since the organization has seen a mainstay at the catcher position. Skoug has the chance to one day be the answer behind the plate for the Sox. A highly touted college player, Skoug spent 2017 with the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs and led the Big 12 Conference with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs.
After sliding down to the seventh round of the draft, the White Sox decided to take Skoug with the 207th overall pick. At 23-years-old, Skoug is already rather mature for his age. He is touted for his leadership skills, a trait that is essential at the catcher position. Although he has the build and mentality for a catcher, some believe his future will see him switch positions. Both his arm and fielding are rated a 45 out of 80 by MLB.com, barely above average. However, if Skoug’s offense continues to carry him, it could carry him all the way to the major league level sooner than intended.
Micker Adolfo – OF (#14 on White Sox Prospect List)
It has been four years since the day the White Sox signed Adolfo, who was an international free agent. He ended the five-year hiatus that the White Sox saw after a scandal hit their international scouting department in 2008. Adolfo was seen as the hope for the future long before we saw and Yoan Moncada or Kopech. His raw power potential and through the roof arm strength gives him the makings of a star corner outfielder one day.
His 2017 stats saw a lot of positives, as well as negatives. He smashed 16 home runs and hit a rather appealing .264. However, he only had 31 walks at the plate while striking out 149 times. He is still very young, only 21 years old, so the walk to strikeout ratio is not a concern. The hope is that Adolfo’s numbers will improve as he receives more at-bats. With average speed to go along with his other traits, Adolfo has the potential to be a five-tool outfielder one day.
Jameson Fisher – OF (#25 on White Sox Prospect List)
If the day comes that we see Fisher reach the Major League level, he will immediately be a fan favorite. His name is screaming baseball player, and he has a mustache that contributes to his intimidating image as much as his name does. His skill is nothing short of intimidating as well. In fact, some scouts labeled him as the best college hitter in 2016. The White Sox were lucky enough to acquire Fisher in the fourth round of 2016, 116th overall.
He spent time in Kannapolis and Winston-Salem in 2017, hitting .269 and .221, respectively. He is also an asset because of his ability to play multiple positions. In college, he spent time at both first base and in the outfield. In fact, he also some spent time at third base in the White Sox instructional league.
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Though Fisher, 24, still has a way to go to make his way to the top of the White Sox organization, his ability is there. After some harvesting in the farm system, Fisher has a good chance to make an impact somewhere at the major league level.