White Sox Minor League News and Notes, 5/28 to 6/3

Tune up the opening day band and slap a new sticker on the bass drum, it’s Draft Day.
The White Sox are picking at four, which they haven’t done since 1990. They picked at three just four years ago landing Carlos Rodon.  The expert consensus is either Florida P Brady Singer or 2B Nick Madrigal will be the newest member of the organization, with Singer edging Madrigal out as we entered the weekend. You can see our previews of each of those players by clicking on their names.
Singer was the consensus top pick going into the year, but struggled to open the season before stepping up his performance down the stretch. The last impression he left on the organization was 7 strong innings on June 2. He gave up 5 hits and 2 runs while striking out 6 and walking one.
Madrigal’s bat, glove and acumen are his calling cards. He’s a top of the order bat that’s more geared to contact than power. The one big knock against him is his poor arm strength. He also spent a majority of the season injured, after breaking his wrist. His second to last impression was a 2-4 day with a home run and a walk June 2.
Knowing the organization, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Singer be the guy, and he would be another impressive arm in a system that’s (finally) building some nice depth. That said, keep in mind TINSTAAPP and until the picks are made, we won’t know how the dominoes fall. And remember too, the object of the game is to obtain the most possible value from the entire draft class, not just the first pick.
Happy Draft Day. May your pitchers be aces and your batters be Trouts. Now go watch the band play on.  
With that, here’s what you need to know this week.
Programming note
FutureSox has a bevy of fun features for draft day. We’ll have a draft tracker on the homepage, providing virtually real-time updates through all three days. We’ll also have several profiles on the picks and James Fox and Brian Bilek will be on a live podcast with Sox Machine’s Josh Nelson for the first round.
Prospect performance highlights

• Charlotte RHP Michael Kopech continues to pitch above his level. He went 6 strong innings May 28, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs while striking out 7 and walking 2.
• Temporary Charlotte LHP Carlos Rodon had two nice rehab outings this week. He threw 5 innings of shutout ball May 29, giving up 3 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 8. He followed it up with 5 innings  of 6 hit 2 run ball, walking 3 and striking out 8. He’s probably returning to the White Sox this weekend.
• Winston-Salem RHP Dylan Cease continues to show that when healthy he is phenomenal. His June 3 outing was 6 innings of one run ball. He gave up 1 hit, walked 2 and struck out 5.
• Birmingham RHP Dane Dunning had his best start as a Baron yet. He threw 7 innings of 1 run ball, giving up only 5 hits, while striking out 9. He walked no one.
• Since starting the season 2-37, Birmingham C Zack Collins has hit .347/.515./.579. Is that good?
• Birmingham RHP Spencer Adams had an absolute gem May 31. He threw 8 innings of shutout, 2 hit ball. He struck out 6 and walked no one. Rotation mate Matt Tomshaw was not to be outshined. He threw a complete game, allowing 3 hits and run, while striking out 8.

Injuries

• Birmingham P Ian Clarkin was scratched from his start June 2, The Athletic’s James Fegan reports. He is currently day to day.
• Birmingham C Casey Schroeder was placed on the 7-day disabled list, retroactive to May 28 (this is more phantom DL than an actual injury, most likely)
• Winston-Salem 1B Gavin Sheets was placed on the 7-day DL May 29
• Kannapolis OF Nolan Brown was placed on the 7-day DL May 29
• Birmingham 3B Matt Rose was placed on the 7-day disabled list

Transactions
Traded

• Charlotte RHP Brad Goldberg was traded to the Diamondbacks for cash considerations

Activated

• Birmingham C Seby Zavala was activated from the 7-day disabled list May 30

Selected

• The White Sox selected the contract of 1B Matt Skole from Charlotte

Outrighted

• RHP Ricardo Pinto was outrighted to Charlotte

Assigned

• Great Falls Utility man J.J. Muno was assigned to Birmingham
• P Jairo Labourt was assigned to Birmingham
• Birmingham 2B Johnny Giavotella was assigned to Charlotte
• Great Falls Voyagers SS Mikey Duarte was assigned to Winston-Salem
• AZL White Sox OF Alex Destino was assigned to Kannapolis

Released

• OF Logan Taylor
• 2B David Cronin

Team Performances

• Charlotte posted a 5-2 week (24-32 overall, 7.5 games back), one of their best of the season. The last place Knights are home this week. They play three against Syracuse before three against Lehigh Valley.

• Birmingham went 4-2 for the week (26-29 overall 1st half, 8 games back). The last place Barons play four against Jacksonville before going to Tennessee for four more.

• Winston-Salem had a 6-2 week (32-25 overall 1st half, 0.5 games back). The almost first place Dash are riding a four game win streak as they play three at home against Salem before going to Carolina for three.

• Kannapolis compiled a 3-2 week (34-19 overall 1st half, 0 GB). Weather derailed the week for the 1st place Intimidators. The team will play 4 against Hickory before playing 3 away against the Rome Braves.

News and Links

• The latest rendition of the Hot List is up by none other than FutureSox editor Matt Cassidy. Cassidy also named the Prospects of the Month.
• We wrapped up the draft preview series with RHP Casey Mize and C Joey Bart.
• FutureSox’s Julie Brady urged the White Sox to stop the suffering and call up Birmingham OF Eloy Jimenez
• The Athletic’s James Fegan wrote the Michael Kopech origin story and it’s worth the read. (like most things he writes are)
• FutureSox is having a night at the ballpark and wants our readers to come. The inaugural FutureSox Night will be 7:10 p.m. June 13th at Guaranteed Rate Field against the Indians. Not only will readers get to enjoy a pregame buffet, but a portion of the ticket will go to support Baseball Miracles, a charity founded by White Sox scout John Tumminia. Here’s a link to tickets.

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