Weekly White Sox farm update, 10/31

Welcome to the Halloween edition of the weekly White Sox farm system round-up that includes AFL and Caribbean Winter League updates and an exciting waiver claim of a former top prospect.
Arizona Fall League
Hitters
Danny Hayes (.176/.263/.265, 4 BB, 10 K in 38 PA)
Courtney Hawkins (.175/.209/.300, 2 BB, 15 K in 42 PA)
Zack Collins (.167/.375/.167, 4 BB, 5 K in 16 PA)
Trey Michalczewski (.129/.229/.161, 4 BB, 12 K in 35 PA)
It is not a good sign (spooky perhaps?) when all four of your position players representatives are hitting well below the Mendonza Line. Hayes was the only player to improve his average from last week, thanks to a 3-5 game on Wednesday. Hawkins launched a home run during the same game, but is striking out at a alarming 35.7% rate and barely drawing any walks. Collins has yet to make much if any hard contact, as he only has two singles, but still showing strong plate discipline with four walks over just sixteen plate appearances. Michalczewski is only 21 years-old, but after a full season in AA Birmingham he is off to a disappointing start to his AFL campaign as he is right on Hawkins’ heels with a 34.2% K rate.
Pitchers
Nolan Sanburn (11.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 6 H, 6 BB, 9 K)
Brian Clark (8.2 IP, 2.08 ERA, 8 H, 3 BB, 8 K)
Louie Lechich (7.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K)
Colton Turner (4.1 IP, 6.23 ERA, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K)
It is a much prettier picture for the White Sox hurlers, as Sanburn, Clark, and Lechich are producing nicely for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Sanburn spun five innings of two-hit ball during his third start on Wednesday, striking out three and walking two. It appears the White Sox are giving Sanburn a chance to start in 2017 and so far the results are solid. Brian Clark continues to quietly take care of business out of the bullpen and the 23 year-old will likely start 2017 in Charlotte with a good chance at seeing Chicago at some point. Lechich threw two more scoreless innings this week to continue his miraculous transition from outfielder to reliever. The former 6th round pick has now started his pro pitching career off with 22.1 consecutive scoreless innings across rookie league, A-ball and now fall ball. Colton Turner allowed three runs to score over two innings this week and has been scored upon in three of his four AFL appearances.
Caribbean Winter Leagues
Venezuela
Gerson Montilla (.083/.313/.083 in 6 games)
Alfredo Gonzalez (.176/.222/.245, in 8 games)
Cleuluis Rondon (.077/.111/.154 in 11 games)
Mexico
K.C. Hobson (.125/.125/.500 in 2 games)
Puerto Rico
Wilfredo Rodriguez (.167/.444/.167 in 2 games)
Dominican Republic
Rymer Liriano (.263/.462/.368 in 7 games)
Other than Liriano, nothing good to see here. Though it’s early in those seasons.
Transactions

• Claimed Rymer Lirano on waivers, adding him to the 40 man roster. Liriano is a former top prospect and is still (barely) eligible for prospect status. Check out our write-up on the news here.
• Re-signed David Holmberg to a minor league deal. Holmberg was a 2009 2nd round draft choice of the White Sox but was shipped to Arizona in the Edwin Jackson trade. The Sox signed him as a minor league FA last spring and he had a solid 2016, compiling a 3.84 ERA over 28 starts between Birmingham and Charlotte.

Links and Notes

• Vinny Rottino, who was a utility player with the Charlotte Knights in 2016 and recently retired, has now become a pro scout with the Rangers (per tweet from Kyle Glaser, Baseball America writer).
• Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline did a check-in on the White Sox prospects in the AFL, with particular focus on Zack Collins’ work behind the plate.
• We are doing a mailbag, so if you have any questions about White Sox prospects or the minor leagues, either comment on this article with your question or respond to our posts on Twitter, Facebook or SoxTalk.

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