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White Sox minor league players earn honors at all levels

By Kristen Bentley

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Pitcher Dylan Cease #29 of the Chicago White Sox and the U.S. Team works the ninth inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Pitcher Dylan Cease #29 of the Chicago White Sox and the U.S. Team works the ninth inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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As the Major League White Sox players start to win more games, the minor league counterparts are earning kudos for their work, too.

In fact, several White Sox #NextSox players have earned awards, recognition, and achievements that are separating them from other minor league players.

At all levels of the minor leagues, from the Triple-A Charlotte Knights to the Arizona Fall League teams, future ChiSox players are making themselves known. This is exciting news for White Sox fans who will get to enjoy watching these young players eventually make their way to the Bigs.

Jimenez and Cease

And no one is doing more than Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease. According to a press release from the White Sox, these two earned the honor of being the White Sox Minor League Players of the Month for August and September. But, this is not the first time the pair shared the honors.

Jimenez was the player of the month in May and July. Cease was a pitcher of the month in July. Jimenez has been outstanding during his time with the Triple-A team. In fact, he has had the best batting average and on-base percentage in the International League since his call-up in mid-June. His slash in Charlotte is .355/.399/.597 in 55 games.

Double-A honors for catcher Collins

In the Double-A Birmingham Barons, Zack Collins was named the catcher of the Southern League All-Star Team. He was the only Baron to make the team and did so because of his .384 on-base percentage being higher than all other hitters. The left-handed batter was drafted by the White Sox in 2016. Collins has 101 walks in 122 games.

Up-and-coming talent in Single-A

Even the youngsters playing in Single-A for the Winston-Salem Dash are making themselves known around their league. The team won both the first and second halves of the Southern Division. This team includes players like Nick Madrigal, Luis Robert, and Blake Rutherford who were new additions to the #NextSox in 2018.

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Madrigal, who went 4-4 in the final game of the season on Labor Day, was drafted by the Sox in 2018. Robert joined the White Sox minor leagues in 2017 after a handful of seasons in Cuba. He went 3-4 with two doubles in one his final games of the season. And, Rutherford joined the White Sox in 2017, but was originally drafted by the Yankees. He hit a career-high seven home runs in Single-A this season.

The other minor league teams also saw season success bringing them into post-season play. The Class-A Kannapolis Intimidators made the playoffs in the Southern Atlantic League. And, at the youngest level, the Great Falls Voyagers also earned a playoff spot.

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And, as a final highlight of the 2018 season, several #NextSox will play in the Arizona Fall League: Luis Robert, Luis Alexander Basabe, Laz Rivera, Zack Burdi, Zach Thompson, and Tanner Banks. They will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs. This is a big honor for these young men who will play along with prospects from the Yankees, Orioles, Indians, and Dodgers.

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