White Sox Minor League News and Notes – August 14

By / / News

In this edition of the White Sox Minor League News and Notes, Reynaldo Lopez makes his White Sox debut, Eloy Jimenez has remained hot at the plate since being acquired last month, and Michael Kopech continues his dominance of the Southern League. In addition, we will update you on the rest of the happenings, news, notes and transactions regarding the White Sox minor leaguers and affiliates.
Future Promotions
Following the recent high profile promotions of 2B Yoan Moncada and Lopez, White Sox GM Hahn has indicated that a handful of players will be promoted before the season is over, that is likely to include RHP Lucas Giolito. While Giolito has struggled at times at Charlotte, he has been more consistent as of late, with an ERA close to a run lower per game in the second half of the season.
Hahn indicated in a recent interview with 670 The Score that other September promotions would likely include a third catcher, more bullpen arms and possibly another outfielder due to the injury to Willy Garcia. Another infielder may also be needed depending on how long 3B Matt Davidson remains on the disabled list.
RHP Dylan Covey could be headed back to the White Sox soon (currently rehabbing with Charlotte), while RHPs Tyler Danish and Carson Fulmer could see time in Chicago’s bullpen before the season is out, as both are already on the 40-man roster. With the recent trade of RHP Tyler Clippard to the Astros, the White Sox have plenty of 40-man roster space to add bullpen arms including some of the recent veteran additions to Charlotte like RHPs Al Alburquerque, Danny Farquhar, Steve Johnson, Mark Lowe and Jean Machi.
C Rob Brantly is the most likely to be promoted as the third catcher, though he would have to added to the 40-man roster. Brantly appeared in 14 games with the White Sox in 2015 and is in his second go-around with the organization after being added to Charlotte at the end of June. He has hit .278 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 29 games for the Knights.
OF Jacob May could get a second chance in the big leagues in September following April and May struggles. Other Knight position players who have a chance of being promoted include 1B Danny Hayes, OF Rymer Liriano, 1B Casey Gillaspie and OF Cody Asche.
Transactions
Charlotte

Birmingham

Winston-Salem

Kannapolis

Great Falls

  • No transactions

AZL White Sox

  • LHP Joseph Benitez placed on temporary inactive list

DSL White Sox

  • No transactions

For the Record

  • Charlotte went 3-4 for the week (49-71 overall, 24 games back) and sit in last place in the International League South. The Knights snapped a five-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over Lehigh Valley. The highlight of the week was OF Jason Bourgeois collecting his 400th  hit as a member of the Knights. Bourgeois joins former OFs Jordan Danks and Joe Borchard as the only other Knights to rack up 400 or more hits with the team. The Knights are at home this week to face Toledo and Lehigh Valley for three games apiece.
  • Birmingham went 2-3 for the week (20-28 overall 2nd half, 13.5 games back) and sit in last place in the Southern League North. RHP Kopech continues his brilliant season, as he allowed no earned runs over 14 innings (21 Ks, 3 BB) in two starts during the week. He has only allowed three earned runs over his last 41 innings covering six starts (54 Ks, 7 BB). The Barons continue their 10-game homestand this week with Chattanooga and Montgomery.
  • Winston-Salem posted a 2-4 week (24-25 overall 2nd half, 8 games back) and currently sit in third place in the Carolina League Northern Division. OF Jimenez has continued his torrid offensive display since being acquired from the Cubs organization. Jimenez homered three times during the week, knocked in seven runs and had two three-hit games. C Seby Zavala has been on a tear of his own since being promoted to the Dash (.328, 6 homers in 36 games). Zavala homered and knocked in five runs during the week. He also had multiple hits in four straight games and is currently on a five-game hitting streak. Winston-Salem continues their homestand with Myrtle Beach, before heading to Potomoc over the weekend.
  • Kannapolis stumbled through a 1-6 week (20-30 overall second half, 10 games back) as they snapped a six-game losing streak, before dropping the last three games. The highlight of the week was a grand slam by OF Micker Adolfo in the lone win of the week over Greensboro. Adolfo leads the team in most offensive categories. The I’s begin a seven-game road trip this week at Lakewood and Hagerstown.
  • Great Falls currently sits atop the standings with a 5-6 record (20-29 overall) in the Pioneer North’s second half of the season, with a one game lead over Billings. 1B Anthony Villa and OF Craig Dedelow continue to be the offensive leaders for the Voyagers as they rank 1-2 in batting average (Dedelow – .337, Villa – .315), runs scored (Villa 37, Dedelow 29), home runs (Villa 13, Dedelow 10) and RBI (Dedelow 41, Villa 37). Villa was also recently named the Pioneer League Player of the Week. Both rank among the league leaders in several offensive categories as well. The Voyagers continue their road trip with four games at Ogden, before heading home for a split home and home four-game series with Helena.
  • The AZL White Sox have an overall record of 20-19, but currently sit atop the AZ Central League standings in the second half with a 10-2 record.
  • The DSL White Sox have an overall record of 27-32 and are in fifth-place in the Baseball City Division.

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