April Showers Bring…Minor League Promotions Aplenty!

By / / News

It’s not quite May yet and 21-year-old outfielder Luis Robert has already earned a promotion to Double-A Birmingham.


Robert has played in 19 games with the Winston-Salem Dash in High-A of the Carolina League. In 84 plate appearances, the Cuban standout has hit .453/.512/.920 with 8 homers and 24 RBI. He’s also posted a wRC+ of 290 and a .625 wOBA. It’s a much deserved promotion that many White Sox observers have been clamoring for all season. Luis will likely become the primary centerfielder for the Barons upon arrival. There is a crowded outfield mix in Birmingham with Luis Alexander Basabe, Blake Rutherford and Luis Gonzalez all in tow as well. Micker Adolfo hit the injured list with right elbow soreness recently though creating a roster spot for Robert to immediately occupy.
The official twitter account of the Chicago White Sox provided play-by-play of Robert’s last game with the Dash.


The Luis Robert promotion was an obvious one that was coming at some point soon. The organization has made a few moves in addition to this big one however.


24-year-old right hander Zack Burdi is headed to the Birmingham Barons as well after a brief 3 inning stint with the Kannapolis Intimidators in Low-A. The former 1st rounder missed the entire 2017 season after rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery. Zack stayed in Extended Spring Training to begin the 2019 campaign after dealing with a lat strain in his shoulder. He’s ready to begin his ascension that could end on the south side of Chicago to close the 2019 season. Reports indicate that Burdi is back throwing in the high 90’s and he should receive high leverage innings for the Barons.
Outfielder Steele Walker has earned a promotion as well. The 46th overall pick in the 2018 draft is headed to the Carolina League to play for the Winston-Salem Dash. There is an opening in CF now that Robert is no longer there to terrorize opposing pitchers. Walker is hitting .365/.437/.581 in 87 plate appearances with a 192 wRC+ and a wOBA of .449.


After losing Steele Walker to the Dash, the Kannapolis Intimidators will add infielder Corey Zangari and outfielder Romy Gonzalez to their active roster. Zangari posted a 142 wRC+with 9 homers in 73 plate appearances for the Great Falls Voyagers in 2018. Zangari broke his wrist after a promotion last season and started the year on the injured list with a hamstring strain. The 21-year-old should be the primary first baseman for the Intimidators. Romy Gonzalez was a 22nd round pick in 2018 and he posted a 103 wRC+ with 10 homers in rookie ball for the White Sox last year.
Other Roster Moves

  • Charlotte Knights: Spencer Adams (RHP) to the Injured List
  • Charlotte Knights: Added Connor Walsh (RHP) from Birmingham Barons
  • Charlotte Knights: Added Jose Nin (RHP) from Winston-Salem Dash
  • Birmingham Barons: Added Kyle Kubat (LHP) from Winston-Salem Dash
  • Winston-Salem Dash: Added Austin Conway (RHP) from Kannapolis Intimidators

Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom, if on a mobile device) and click the “create subscription” button. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.
 

4 thoughts on “April Showers Bring…Minor League Promotions Aplenty!”

  1. Aaron Sapoznik

    The Luis Robert promotion to AA Birmingham is no surprise. It’s too bad that he will join a crowded OF there that is chock full of top-30 White Sox prospects, none of whom deserve a promotion to AAA Charlotte with their slow starts. Micker Adolfo going on the 7-day injured list will at least open up one spot, at least temporarily.
    I would expect Nick Madrigal to join Robert in AA shortly. The White Sox don’t have any top prospects blocking him at 2B and the production of the players at AA and AAA has been pretty awful thus far. I would also like to see Madrigal play for new Birmingham manager Omar Vizquel who knows a thing or two about Gold Glove potential at a middle infield position.

    1. John in SF

      Except Madrigal hasn’t exactly been lighting up the Dash box scores. I think his OPS is hovering in the low 700s.

    1. John in SF

      he’s in AAA now and has a couple hits so far. Not torching the league in his first couple games, but he’s acclimating to the promotion at a perfectly reasonable speed.

Comments are closed.