White Sox Minor Keys: Aug. 26, 2023
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers only got one inning in before rain in Myrtle Beach Saturday, but the box score didn’t include George Wolkow, Ryan Burrowes or Ronny Hernandez, all of whom the White Sox recently added to the Low-A roster this week.
The development list requires a player to stay there for at least seven days, so they wouldn’t be able to appear in a game until next week at the earliest. They can also remain on the development list through the end of the season if the Sox so choose, because maybe the point is exposure to A-ball routines and practicing with older players. The White Sox haven’t used the development list on many prospects of note — Sean Burke is the only one I can recall — so they’ll be adding to their sample size here.
For the time being, Jeff Cohen talked to Wolkow, who is using the time to get some reps in center field. He said he doesn’t know when he’ll be suiting up.
Memphis 13, Charlotte 7 (Game 1, 7 innings)
- Seby Zavala struck out in his only plate appearance.
- Adam Hackenberg replaced him and went 1-for-3.
Notes:
*Zavala had an awkward follow-through on his foul tip strike three.
Charlotte 4, Memphis 1 (Game 2, 7 innings)
- Carlos Pérez was 1-for-3.
- Adam Hackenberg went 1-for-2 with a walk.
- Jordan Leasure: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, all eight pitches for strikes.
Birmingham 6, Rocket City 4
- Terrell Tatum went 1-for-3 with two walks and a strikeout.
- Colson Montgomery, 1-for-2 with two walks.
- Bryan Ramos, 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
- Wilfred Veras was 2-for-5.
- Alsander Womack went 0-for-3 with two walks.
- Tim Elko, 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
- Yoelqui Céspedes went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Ky Bush: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 HR
Winston-Salem 6, Bowling Green 0
- Loidel Chapelli walked once and struck out four times. He did steal a base.
- Jacob Burke homered, doubled, singled and struck out twice.
- Wes Kath went 2-for-4 with a homer and a strikeout.
- Mason Adams: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, 52 of 79 pitches for strikes.
Kannapolis at Myrtle Beach, suspended
Mason Adams has succeeded in getting my attention.
I like this Wolkow kid. Way to represent for all of us 239 pounders, though to be honest I just stopped keeping track around there and figure it sounds better than 247.
Or you could be like Trump and list yourself as 215. Everyone would totally believe it.
Anybody have a handle on how much space separates Lee, Perez, and Hackenberg on the depth chart heading into the offseason?
Hard to know without knowing who’s in charge. The current guys seem to like Zavala and hate Perez, so if it’s Getz and Grifol (shudder) than Zavala and Lee probably have the inside track for opening day roster spots.
Zavala apparently has the benefit of a lot if the pitchers like throwing to him. That is valuable.
Lee is young, faster, stronger armed version of Zavala. He needs to earn pitchers trust and hopefully have a better hit too to get to his power more often.
Zavala and Lee probably start next year on the roster. (Zavala has no options remaining and Lee will have 1 option year left).
Maybe a veteran is brought in to compete. But the Sox seem to like Zavala.
Perez can fit the 3rd/4th catcher role and sit in AAA, with 1 option remaining.
Hackenberg will be the 4th option at catcher, and does not need added to the 40-man until 2025 season. But the organization has progressed him and he has done well. I think he is viewed as a long-term backup option if Lee does not hit better than Zavala.
Quero is seen as the long term solution, but I think he aill start at AA next year again. We will see.
And I think Xavier Fernandez is a nice system depth option. His bat is nice, but he needs to continue working on his defense. He is Rule 5 eligible and should not be added to the 40-man in the offseason. But he could be a nice AAA guy in case of injuries in 2024.
Beyond that: