ESPN has another story about the plight of trying to survive on a minor-league salary, which isn't to say you've read it before. It hits all the familiar notes -- how is one supposed to live without anxiety on $8,000-$14,000 during the season, especially in a job that requires improving physical performance? On the other hand, this one opens with Angels pitching prospect Kieran Lovegrove contemplating suicide. The overarching theme of the system's unfairness are known to people who care one iota, but we're only scratching the surface on the individual stories of struggle and despair.
Specific to the White Sox, it mentions something that Chris Getz briefly referenced in a Scott Merkin story about the new Kannapolis ballpark: The Sox are to some degree involved in setting up housing for its prospects.
There is no league-wide policy among MLB teams on what they need to give minor leaguers, and teams keep information sparse on what they do provide. ESPN reached out to all 30 teams asking whether they provide housing stipends, whether they pay players held back for extended spring training, how many meals they provide daily and whether they are planning any changes in the immediate future.
Seven teams -- the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Phillies, Nationals, Giants and White Sox -- said they provide housing stipends, pay for extended spring training, feed players two to four meals per day and are considering positive changes for the 2022 season. The Phillies said they provide housing for players in High-A and extended spring training. The Giants pay 100% of the housing costs for the Arizona Complex League, Low-A and High-A.
As is often the case, the White Sox can do worse (more than half of teams did not respond to comment), but they could do much better. The Houston Astros, who had the reputation of treating players coldly during the Jeff Luhnow era, provide minor leaguers fully funished housing up and down the chain.
These stories emphasize that housing is the biggest issue for minor leaguers. It's the largest monthly expense, the biggest hassle to arrange due to promotions and demotions, and has a direct impact on health and safety, especially mentally. It's probably something that was easier to shrug away when teams only had two-year commitments to a city, but with Player Development Agreements now locked in for 10 years, it should be easier for teams to invest in those areas, which then invests in their talent.
Memphis 12, Charlotte 1 (Sept. 29)
- Romy González went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Jake Burger returned from his ankle injury, singling, walking twice and striking out.
- Micker Adolfo was 0-for-4 with a K.
- Blake Rutherford went 1-for-3 with a double.
Memphis 6, Charlotte 4 (Sept. 30)
- Romy González went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and a strikeout.
- Jake Burger was 2-for-4 with a walk.
- Blake Rutherford went 0-for-5 with a K.
- Kade McClure: 3 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
DSL Padres 10, DSL White Sox 9
- Victor Quezada went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. He was also picked off/caught stealing.
- Yohemy Nolasco: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
