The Sox gained more talented prospects for Rebuild 2.0.
Despite what ownership thinks, general manager Chris Getz is not going to turn things around quickly. This is a rebuild folks after the last one failed thanks to owner Jerry Reinsdorf, former manager Tony La Russa, current manager Pedro Grifol, and former general manager Rick Hahn along with former EVP Kenny Williams.
Now Getz must try to replenish the White Sox farm system that is currently ranked 20th in baseball. Hahn and Williams helped him get a head start with last year's trade deadline deals they made before they were fired. It was still not going to be enough to restock the farm to give this franchise a shot another title window.
The Sox added a top 100 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America in Drew Thorpe. He has one of the best changeups in the minor leagues.
Let's break down what we know.
— Duke Coughlin (@ThatPodGuyDuke) March 14, 2024
Samuel Zavala (who just barely missed the Top 100 according to multiple sites) had 14 HR, 71 RBI, 22 doubles, 20 stolen bases, a line of .267/.420/.451 with an .871 OPS in A ball last season.
...at 18 years old.
Drew Thorpe (no. 58 in the 2024… https://t.co/7H8MAy1dRs
Samuel Zavala is 19 and could finally be the prospect that solves the eternal problem in right field (or eventually replaces Robert Jr. if the Sox trade him eventually).
samuel zavala in 600 PA in A ball has a 135 wRC+...not a lot of 17, 18 year olds doing that
— enjoying the ride (@Sean_W_Anderson) March 14, 2024
Jairo Iriarte is a pitcher who throws heat and can be a future rotational piece.
Jairo Iriarte sat 96 with his fastball last year, 15” vertical break from a 5.4’ release, 6.8’ extension. Plus strikes on it, limited damage well. Plus pitch.
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) March 14, 2024
Slider and changeup to go with it. Slider added some velo as season progressed. Was 85 with 8” sweep late in year, 44%… https://t.co/ZmXeS8r1tH
All three immediately went into the Sox' top 10 prospects once they were acquired according to MLB Pipeline. Thorpe is now the Sox' second-best pitching prospect and third overall. Zavala is No. 6 and Iriarte is No. 9.
Colson Montgomery, Noah Schultz, and Jacob Gonzalez are the only three players in the top 10 the Sox drafted. Bryan Ramos was an international free agent signing. That is now six players the Sox acquired via trades to bolster the farm system. That is what a rebuilding team has to do during a teardown--leverage existing assets for additional future assets.