White Sox Minor Keys: Aug. 30, 2019

When the White Sox released their player development staff list way back in January, no role stood out more than “Hitting Analytics Instructor,” a new position occupied by noted swing analyst Matt Lisle. The White Sox hired Lisle away from the University of Missouri before he even got settled in with the Tigers, with the hopes that he would be able to help hitters better maximize their abilities with data-driven tweaks to their swings.

With his hiring, and that of Ryan Johansen in Kannapolis, the White Sox made their move to catch up with the rest of the league. The addition of Lisle is one of only a couple times the White Sox are mentioned in “The MVP Machine.”

Anyway, the arrangement lasted just short of a full season.

Lisle said “there’s no controversy to be had” regarding his departure, and had kind words for the White Sox and Chris Getz in a subsequent tweet.

I have no real idea what to think of this move, because I don’t know what Lisle really did for the Sox. James Fegan wrote about Lisle’s addition, but couldn’t get anybody directly involved on record about his hiring. And while Fegan subsequently wrote about Johansen’s work with Kannapolis, Lisle’s name didn’t surface again.

Maybe the White Sox didn’t know how to use his skills and have no idea what they’re doing in this area. Maybe Lisle wasn’t a great fit for pro ball, or looking at the performances throughout the organization, maybe his results didn’t match his reputation. I suppose we’ll find out more if and when the White Sox make a move to replace him, even if we only learn indirectly.

Norfolk 2, Charlotte 0

  • Nick Madrigal went 0-for-4.
  • Luis Robert, 1-for-4.
  • Zack Collins was 0-for-2 with two wlaks.
  • Yermin Mercedes went 0-for-3 with a walk.
  • Danny Mendick, 0-for-3.
  • Carson Fulmer: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

More:

*Durham won, so the Knights are effectively trailing even though they’re tied since the Bulls own the tiebreaker.

Birmingham 6, Biloxi 5

  • Luis Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and two stolen bases. He’s back to .686 with two games to go.
  • Luis Basabe doubled, singled twice, struck out and stole a base.
  • Blake Rutherford went 1-for-3 with two walks and a strikeout.
  • Gavin Sheets, 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and an HBP.
  • John Parke: 1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
  • Tyler Johnson: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Winston-Salem 5, Lynchburg 1

  • Steele Walker went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
  • Carlos Perez, 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

Kannapolis 4, Delmarva 3

  • Lenyn Sosa went 2-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
  • Romy Gonzalez was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
  • Davis Martin: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1 HBP

Great Falls 6, Billings 4

  • Cabera Weaver went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
  • Kelvin Maldonado wore the collar and silver sombrero.
  • Harvin Mendoza was 0-for-4.
  • Lency Delgado went 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout.
  • Sam Abbott, 1-for-4 with a homer and a strikeout.
  • Anderson Comas was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
  • Kleyder Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
Take a second to support Sox Machine on Patreon
4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
PauliePaulie

Sox scouting and development appear to be trending toward rudderless.

jorgefabregas

The turnover suggests they know things aren’t working, but I have no faith in them fixing the problems.

PauliePaulie

Traded away J2 $. Promoted Hostetler. Have another top 10 pick coming and, to my knowledge, no head of amateur scouting. Talking about maybe altering the swing of the best prospect bat they’ve had in years, after 1700 minor league and 400 Major league PA’s(just last year Champion said they didn’t need to make a singly change to his approach, stance or swing since he came over in trade) . Giving Lisle all of 8 months on the job. Laumann still there. Timmays D regressing, McEwing still there. An analytically minded manager and hitting coach at Winston Salem and the opposite at Birmingham. Worrisome stories about info and game prep from the Major League level to A ball.

marquettepark

Broken, one word, that describes the White Sox organization.