White Sox Minor Keys: May 8, 2022

Yoelqui Céspedes (Caleb Probst / FutureSox)

When Yoelqui Céspedes left Wednesday’s game against Tennessee after popping out to the catcher, it appeared that he might’ve been benched for standing in the box, watching a ball that would’ve landed in fair territory.

But he didn’t appear in any of the Barons’ remaining games against the Smokies, as he joins Oscar Colás (last played April 28) and Colson Montgomery (April 24) as players who are neither inactive or on the injured list.

Gwinnett 6, Charlotte 5

  • Yolbert Sánchez went 1-for-4 with a sac bunt.
  • Micker Adolfo was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, and reached on catcher interference.
  • Wes Benjamin’s hot start took another hit: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Tennessee 9, Birmingham 4

  • Lenyn Sosa went 1-for-4 with a triple and a wakl.
  • Jason Bilous: 2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP

Winston-Salem 5, Hickory 1 (completion of Friday’s suspended game)

  • Bryan Ramos went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
  • Luis Mieses was 1-for-4 with his 11th double.
  • Adam Hackenberg singled and struck out thrice.

Hickory 4, Winston-Salem 0 (Game 2, 7 innings)

  • Bryan Ramos was 0-for-3 with a K.
  • Luis Mieses, 1-for-3.
  • Harvin Mendoza was 1-for-2 with a walk.
  • Matthew Thompson: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 25 of 40 pitches for strikes.

Down East 2, Kannapolis 1

  • James Beard went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
  • DJ Gladney, 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
  • Chase Krogman was 0-for-4 with a K.
  • Wilfred Veras went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
  • Brooks Gosswein: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
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JimMargalusBiggestFan

Am I wrong to think that not one of these pitchers seems to be taking any sort of leap? You read reports from the Dodgers, Rays, Padres, etc. and they have a multitude of pitchers gaining velocity YoY, new pitch shapes, etc. There doesn’t seem to be one interesting, exciting, active SP in the minor leagues right now.

Right_Engel

Would Kohl Simas qualify? His FG writeup (#15 Sox prospect) actually refers to “interesting raw material” and says his “rate of progression is exciting.” It notes that he’s sustained a post-draft (2021) velocity bump of a couple MPH into the 93-95 range and “seems to have found a more consistent release” to harness his control. It also grades his slider and curveball as consistently average secondaries that have flashed better. It concludes with:

It’s sometimes hard to know whether to extrapolate on very quick improvements like this or anticipate a regression to the mean. In this case, though, Simas has sustained a new level of stuff and command for long enough to feel resolve that the White Sox plucked an undrafted guy with a shot to pitch in their rotation.

He’s only been facing A-ball competition, but his early results have been impressive: 4 GS, 19 IP, 3.32 ERA/2.57 xFIP, 15.16 K/9, 2.84 BB/9. I’d be interested to learn more about his outlook.

Last edited 1 year ago by Right_Engel
a-t

Cristian Mena says hello too

Willardmarshall

Is there a policy addressing disappeared minor leaguers?

mrridgman

Milk cartons. Saw one for Colas the other day.

joewho112

Pretty sure I saw his name on the side of a pop can the other day

Danetc85

I assume given the lack of organizational updates on these guys that it must be Covid related. Short of a Space Jam scenario it’s hard to explain why players would just be disappearing.

mrridgman

Other teams jealous of our farm system.

jorgefabregas

A dozen days seems like possibly a long time for a boosted young guy with COVID. Hope they are all doing ok.

knoxfire30

Bummer IL and Burger to AAA for Kelly and Yoyo