White Sox Minor League News and Notes, 7/23 to 7/29

I wanted to start this week arguing why it would be acceptable for the White Sox to delay OF Eloy Jimenez’s debut until after the White Sox secure the additional year of service in 2019, but he’s made it impossible to do that.
Through 25 games at Charlotte, Eloy has an absurd slash line of .383/.422/.691. He has seven home runs, six walks and 10 strikeouts as well. Although his season has been limited to 78 games, so far, he’s put up a .338/.385/.599 slash with 24 walks to 49 strikeouts. Both support his minor league career line of .309/.358/.519.
The White Sox can say it’s about polishing prospects all they want, but there comes a time when you have to take the car for a ride. The star of the Jose Quintana trade tore up the Southern League and got even better when he went to the International League. Although only partially responsible for his development, Jimenez has the potential to dispel the popular ‘White Sox can’t develop hitting prospects’ take. (Sorry Tim Anderson).
It would be easier for the White Sox to keep the other popular target of call-up speculation, Michael Kopech, in Charlotte for the rest of the year. Despite improved control (only three walks over his last 17 innings pitched), he is still developing secondary pitches. Although his big fastball paired with his passable offspeed pitches could get him over in relief, why settle for Carson Fulmer when you can have the next bonafied ace.
There’s a reality where both Kopech and Jimenez are up this year, and another where they don’t see the main roster until 2019. Whatever happens, the prospects are coming and that’s something we should be looking forward to. (But perhaps this insight from MLB.com reporter Scott Merkin sheds some light on the issue or creates even more confusion. You be the judge.)
With that, here’s what you need to know this week.
Prospect performance highlights

• Charlotte OF Eloy Jimenez was named the International League’s Hitter of the Week for July 16-July 22.
• Birmingham LHP Tanner Banks was named the Southern League’s Pitcher of the Week for the same time period.
• Birmingham OF Joel Booker went 3-4 with a double and a strikeout July 24. I continue to embody this gif.
• Winston-Salem RHP John Parke threw seven one-run innings July 24. He gave up six hits, while walking three.
• Birmingham OF Alex Call went 3-4 with two home runs and a double July 24.
• Great Falls pitcher and 2018 26th round pick Devon Perez has a 2.38 ERA through 22.2 innings. He’s struck out 33 and walked one. He’s only allowed six earned runs. He’s also 22.
• The other gem from the Quintana trade, Birmingham RHP Dylan Cease, threw seven sensational shutout innings July 25. He gave up a single hit and walked one and struck out 12.
• Kannapolis OF Ian Dawkins went 3-3 July 25. He had two doubles and a walk.
• Charlotte OF Eloy Jimenez went 3-4 with a double and a walk July 27. He went 3-4 with a home run July 29.

Injuries

• Birmingham RHP Jimmy Lambert was placed on the 7-day disabled list, retroactive to July 21, with a strained left oblique. He is supposedly going to miss 2-3 weeks.
• Kannapolis placed 1B Corey Zangari on the 7-day disabled list July 23. He was hit by a pitch in the wrist, just after being promoted to Kannapolis from Great Falls, and will likely miss the remainder of the regular season.
• Winston-Salem RHP Danny Dopico was placed on the 7-day disabled list July 23. Reason not known at this time.

Transactions
Selected

• The White Sox promoted Charlotte RHPs Tyler Danish and Thyago Vieira

Activated

• Charlotte activated C Seby Zavala from the disabled list July 28
• Winston-Salem activated RHP Blake Hickman from the disabled list July 23
• Kannapolis activated 1B/3B Anthony Villa from the disabled list July 25

Assigned

• RHP Asher Wojciechowski signed as a free agent and assigned to Charlotte
• Charlotte LHP Matt Tomshaw was demoted to Birmingham
• Birmingham OF Ryan Cordell and RHP Ryan Burr were promoted to Charlotte
• Birmingham RHP Mauricio Cabrera was sent on a rehab assignment to AZL White Sox
• LHP Kodi Medeiros was assigned to Birmingham after being acquired in trade (more on that in a bit)
• AZL White Sox LHP Konnor Pilkington, RHP Davis Martin and SS Micah Coffey were promoted to Great Falls

Released

• Charlotte released OF Jacob May

Team Performances

• Charlotte posted a 2-3 week (49-56 overall, 11.5 games back). To be brash, the team won’t be making the playoffs. How much longer will OF Eloy Jimenez be a Knight?

• Birmingham went 4-3 for the week (21-15 overall 2nd half, 1st). The Barons continue to hold onto the division lead for dear life against the Biscuits. They finish a series against Mississippi to start the week before opening August at home for five against Mobile.

• Winston-Salem had a 2-5 week (22-15 overall 2nd half, T-1st place). Buies Creek has arrived, and they’ve clawed into a two-way tie for first. The Dash had an uncharacteristically bad week at the worst possible time. They come home for a series against Carolina before going on the road to play three at Down East.

• Kannapolis compiled a 6-1 week (20-16 overall 2nd half, 4 games back). Farewell 3-3 fun fact, how little we knew thee. This is an acceptable way for a fun fact today. None of this voting Nick Markakis into the All-Star game fun fact murdering over here. The Intimidators hope to carry this fantastic week to Augusta for a three game series before coming home for four against Greensboro.

• Great Falls had a 2-5 week (22-16 overall, 1st). All hail your Pioneer League First Half Champions. Fear the 1-3 slump the Voyagers are in to start the second half.

• AZL White Sox enjoyed a 2-4 week. (2-3 2nd half, 2.0 games back).

• DSL White Sox posted a 3-3 week (9-39, 24.5 games back).

News and Links

• FutureSox Editor-in-Chief Matt Cassidy turned everybody’s favorite Kannapolis Nick Madrigal fun fact into a whole article on the dynamic 21-year-old. As an update, through 58 plate appearances at this writing, he’s still yet to strike out.
• Julie Brady remembered the White Sox prospects of yesteryear in her weekly column. My favorite 3B Brent Morel gets a shoutout.
• “Trades, trades, trades! Get your trade analysis here.” First, the return from RHP Joakim Soria and then the international bonus pool deal with the Yankees.
• The Athletic’s James Fegan continues to be sensational. He wrote this piece on Winston-Salem RHP Tyler Johnson and how he’s ramping up the strikeouts and cutting down the walks.

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