In this post-Mother’s Day edition of the White Sox Minor League News and Notes, the latest on Cuban free agent OF Luis Robert, C Kevan Smith gets an extended opportunity at the big league level and Baseball America releases new top 100 prospect rankings. In addition, we will get you caught up on the happenings, news, notes and transactions regarding the White Sox minor leaguers and affiliates.
White Sox Rumored Favorite to Sign Robert
Beginning Saturday, May 20, highly anticipated Cuban free agent outfielder Luis Robert is able to sign with any major league team. The White Sox are seen by some to the front-runner to sign the 19-year-old. In an interview with 670 The Score, MLB insider Jon Heyman said “I’d almost be surprised if went somewhere else” referring to the White Sox when asked about Robert. According to Heyman, the White Sox will be bidding against eight other teams including St. Louis and Houston. Previous reports have listed San Diego, Oakland and Cincinnati among the teams interested in signing Robert.
Among the positives listed as to why the White Sox may be a front-runner to sign Robert, include Chicago being a large market, the need for outfielders and history of successful Cubans playing on the Southside which currently includes 1B Jose Abreu and in the near future will include top prospect Yoan Moncada.
Transactions
Charlotte
- SS Everth Cabrera assigned to Charlotte from Kannapolis
- LHP Will Lamb assigned to Charlotte from Birmingham
- LHP Cory Luebke retired
- White Sox recalled C Kevan Smith
- Activated C Carson Blair from disabled list
- Disabled OF Jason Bourgeois
- White Sox optioned OF Cody Asche to Charlotte
- White Sox purchased the contract of RHP Gregory Infante
Birmingham
- Disabled OF Courtney Hawkins
- OF Jeff Gelalich assigned to Birmingham from Winston-Salem
- Activated LHP Scott Snodgress from disabled list
Winston-Salem
- Activated OF Landon Lassiter from disabled list
- Activated 1B Telvin Nash from restricted list
Kannapolis
- No transactions
Injured Prospects Update
We have a wave of reports on some injured prospects and their status to report:
- OF Alex Call has been taking swings in the cage in the past few days, so he likely returns soon from his intercostal muscle injury.
- RHP Victor Diaz is on the DL for shoulder soreness. He is in Arizona rehabbing, but recently suffered a small setback. No timeline for his return.
- RHP Jordan Stephens is now throwing in Extended Spring Training as he returns from his injury, and should be assigned to a club soon.
- 1B Corey Zangari had Tommy John surgery, so he is likely out for the rest of this season.
- OF Jameson Fisher is still on roster for Kannapolis but injured his leg with a foul ball – he is day to day.
For the Record
- Charlotte picked up a game on first place Durham following a 4-3 week that began with three straight losses (at Indianapolis) and ended with four straight wins (at Louisville). The Knights sit in third place in the International League South, five games out of first with an overall record of 18-17. During the road trip, RHP Carson Fulmer improved to 5-1 on the season, while RHP Lucas Giolito earned his first victory as a member of the Knights. Charlotte heads home for three games versus division-leading Durham, before heading back out on the road to Norfolk for four games.
- Birmingham still sits in last place of the Southern League North Division after limping through a 1-6 week that has them currently on a five-game losing streak. RHP Michael Kopech earned the only win of the week for the Barons. The Barons continue their five-game visit to Chattanooga before heading home for five games against Tennessee.
- Winston-Salem remains in last place of the Carolina League Southern Division with an overall record of 12-25 after a 1-5 week that currently has them on a four-game losing streak. The Dash head home for eight games against Lynchburg and Carolina. With 16 of the next 19 games at home, the Dash have the talent to turn their season around. The return of Nash from a 50-game suspension should give the offense a boost.
- Kannapolis turned in another four-win week against only one loss. While the Intimadators remain in fourth place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division, they sit just two games behind first-place Hagerstown with an overall record of 19-15. The finale at Augusta was cancelled due to a power outage. Reliever Mike Morrison saved three of the wins to up his total to seven for the year. Intimidators begin the week with two more games on the road before heading home for an eight-game homestand versus Hickory (five games) and Greenville (three games).
In Case You Missed It
- Our writers have been spending a lot of time at the affiliates in North Carolina lately, providing lots of content. Here are some of the recent posts you may have missed:
- Prospect Deep Dive – in-person report with video and quotes on RHP Alec Hansen
- Q&A with the Charlotte Knights – six interviews
- In-person reports with videos and quotes on four Charlotte pitchers likely to make it to Chicago this year
- In-person reports on a handful of key hitting prospects in Charlotte (yes, including Moncada)
- There’s more to come this week! Meanwhile, you can also peruse about 70 new prospect videos on our YT channel, all free.
- As the Tribune’s Colleen Kane reports, C Smith will have to adjust again after his second call-up of the season due Geovany Soto‘s injured elbow. Smith’s stay looks to be extended as Soto is having surgery on his right elbow as is expected to miss up to 12 weeks.
- In Baseball America’s updated Top 100 prospect rankings for May, five White Sox prospects are currently listed in the top 51.
- Jon Greenberg of The Athletic snagged an interview with GM Rick Hahn, heavily focused on the rebuild, and it is worth the read.
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