White Sox Minor Keys: May 4, 2022

Chase Krogman (Sox Machine photo)

Last year, Chase Krogman opened his season in Kannapolis with a big couple of games before a hit by pitch in the third game knocked him out of action for four weeks. When he returned in June, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, setting the stage for an uneven rest of the year.

This season, he went 3-for-4 with a triple and a homer in the second game of the season versus Fayetteville, but exited the game after colliding with Logan Glass on the warning track in right center field.

Krogman returned to the Kannapolis lineup in far smoother fashion on Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk and three RBIs in the Cannon Ballers’ 5-4 victory over Down East.

Krogman saved his best work for the end of the 2021 season, going 13-for-35 with two homers, two doubles, five walks and 12 strikeouts over his final 10 games (41 plate appearances), so it was unfortunate for everybody involved that his attempt to pick up where he left off was delayed by the injury. Perhaps his first game back showed that it won’t be denied.

Charlotte 9, Gwinnett 6

  • Yolbert Sánchez went 2-for-5 with a strikeout.
  • Yoán Moncada, 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
  • Carlos Pérez was 2-for-4 with a double and a walk.
  • Adam Haseley went 0-for-2 with two walks, a strikeout and a stolen base.
  • Micker Adolfo went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and a strikeout.
  • Johnny Cueto: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Tennessee 10, Birmingham 4

  • Lenyn Sosa went 2-for-5 with a double and a strikeout.
  • Yoelqui Céspedes was 0-for-3 with a strikeout, and he appeared to be benched afterward for not leaving the batter’s box on a pop-up that drifted into fair territory.
  • Jose Rodriguez went 0-for-4 with a K.
  • Caleb Freeman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K

Hickory 8, Winston-Salem 2

  • Bryan Ramos went 0-for-2 with a walk, strikeout and sac fly.
  • Luis Mieses, 0-for-4.
  • Adam Hackenberg homered, singled and walked twice.
  • Harvin Mendoza was 0-for-4 with a K.

Kannapolis 5, Down East 4

  • Wes Kath went 1-for-4 with a triple, walk and two strikeouts.
  • DJ Gladney doubled, singled thrice, and struck out once.
  • Wilfred Veras was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
  • Chase Krogman returned to the lineup in a big way: 2-for-3 with a triple, walk and three RBIs.
  • Kohl Simas: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

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knoxfire30

Not super encouraging from Cueto…. do we know what his velocity has been?

jhomeslice

I noticed he’s not much more than a year older than Lynn, who turns 35 in a week. Hope he has something left, is still spring training for him. I know VV had a nice outing last time but I just can’t picture anything sustainable from him. I doubt he has success this weekend vs Boston, I hope I’m wrong.

Right Size Wrong Shape

I don’t know what his velo was last night, but the start before it was fine. I don’t really care about results so much as he got up to 74 pitches last night. He’s already shown he’s healthy, so I don’t think he really has to prove anything at AAA to get the call up. I think it’s more a matter of if the Sox will actually eat Kuechel’s salary and pay Cueto a major league salary for the rest of the season. I’m still skeptical.

soxfan

I agree and would add that we don’t know anything about what they are trying to do in AAA with Cueto. Are they trying to see what his stuff looks like or just trying to stretch him out so he’s ready when he gets to the majors? I’m much more concerned about the process (that I don’t know anything about) than the results (which are self-evident but largely unimportant). This is basically Cueto’s extended spring training/rehab stint where you don’t have to worry about the potential contributions of veterans so much as getting them to just demonstrate that they can be called on when necessary.

gibby32

I may be wrong about this, but I think the White Sox are on the hook for both their salaries through this year (18M for Keuchel, 4M for Cueto), unless, as to Cueto, he opts out as of May 15. The White Sox can leave him in Charlotte for two more starts before making a decision. If Cueto comes up, I can not see a spot on the roster for Keuchel.

Right Size Wrong Shape

I think you are right about that, but I guess I was assuming that Cueto would opt out if they don’t call him up. I shouldn’t assume that, but I would have to think some team could use him.

tommytwonines

Total aside – does Moncada (i.e. well-compensated major leaguer) take everyone out for a nice dinner when he does a rehab stint like this? That’s a thing, right, sorta paying it forward?

jorgefabregas

I have heard of players doing this, yes, but don’t know if it’s a near-universal thing.

tommytwonines

That seems reasonable for Beckham. I wouldn’t expect Mendick to do anything crazy now. Moncada spent some time in Charlotte not that long ago so maybe he’s a little more generous – one year supply of Twinkies.

GrabSomeBench

Let’s talk about a DFA for Harrison. He’s this year’s Eaton. I know it’s only 8 games in AAA for Sanchez but he’s actually doing better than he hit in AA and he was fantastic there also. As a former SS, I’m guessing he’s a better fielder than Harrison also. I fear that Cueto is the same as Keuchel but Harrison is definitely dead wood and we have a younger, better replacement player waiting.

FishSox

But, can he play RF?

jhomeslice

I’m afraid you’re probably right, and that they won’t get much from Harrison (or Garcia). But I do think with the shortened spring and cold weather, that they will see what the first couple weeks of warm weather brings for some of these guys. I doubt a DFA of Harrison is possible before at least June.

If Harrison isn’t doing something meaningful by end of May and Yolbert keeps hitting, then absolutely bring up Yolbert. I’d be in favor of now but I’m very biased against the 2b “solution” they decided on this winter.

They have to be comparing McGuire to Perez at some point too, assuming Perez’s fielding is tolerable. I hope McGuire gets it going, he was nowhere near this bad a hitter with the Jays.

Last edited 1 year ago by jhomeslice
Willardmarshall

Sample sizes have grown from small to smallish….

a-t

The guy has had 55 PAs. He’s BABIPing .190. His strikeout rate isn’t skyrocketing, his defense is competent, and he’s hitting the ball hard. He could walk a little more but in this sample size he is two (2) walks away from his career walk rate. Calm down.

FishSox

Minor red flag on Cespedes….

joewho112

Meh

Torpedo Jones

Another good outing for Joe Kelly, by the way. Hopefully he keeps that momentum going when he shows up with the Sox.