It took until the last week of May, but FanGraphs finally got around to posting its top 25 White Sox prospects list. It's 2-3 months later than usual, which would at least give it the advantage of recent information, but it's hard to know how much of the 2018 performances went into the process.
Some observations:
*Zack Burdi was ranked fifth, which is the most bullish number I've seen for him. I get the reasoning to an extent even with the Tommy John surgery, although I'd want to see him succeed pitching back-to-back days -- something he didn't do in Charlotte -- before fully buying in.
*Zack Collins got tagged as a first baseman, which was purposeful. Also has the same hit tool as Eloy Jimenez for some reason.
*Jake Burger's write-up mentions an Achilles injury, although it's not clear whether Kiley McDaniel knows he tore it twice.
*Ryan Cordell is ranked six spots ahead of Luis Alexander Basabe, and doesn't mention Cordell's broken clavicle or Basabe's knee surgery.
*Jameson Fisher is handling Birmingham rather well (.245/.337/.408) considering his disappointing production at Winston-Salem, and a loft-added swing might be helping.
*Jordan Stephens behind Ian Clarkin and Spencer Adams is one that looks like a poor bet right now.
Charlotte 5, Lehigh Valley 1
- Kevan Smith returned from the DL and went 0-for-3 with a walk while catching.
- Casey Gillaspie went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Carlos Rodon: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K, 58 of 86 pitches for strikes. Hopefully he's ready to roll.
More:
*James Fegan has everything you want to know about Michael Kopech's origin story.
Chattanooga 1, Birmingham 0
- Danny Mendick went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Zack Collins, 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Eloy Jimenez was 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Jameson Fisher was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
- Tito Polo, 1-for-2 with a walk.
More:
*The White Sox added yet another former Tigers reliever in Jairo Labourt, placing him on Birmingham's roster.
Myrtle Beach 6, Winston-Salem 2 (10 innings)
- Joel Booker went 0-for-5 with a strikeout and a stolen base.
- Luis Alexander Basabe was 0-for-4 with a strikeout and a CS.
- Micker Adolfo, 2-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Blake Rutherford went 1-for-4 with a K.
- Yeyson Yrizarri singled, walked, was plunked, struck out and was caught stealing twice.
- Alex Call lined out in a pinch-hitting appearance.
- Dylan Cease struggled: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 54 of 94 pitches for strikes.
More:
*Gavin Sheets went on the disabled list with a strained foot. Mikey Duarte took his place on the roster.
