It’s rankings week at FutureSox!
In addition to our regular content, some of our writers who participated in ranking the prospects (James Fox, Mike Rankin, Dan Santaromita, Steve Hasman, Sean Williams, Adam Hess and Jasper Roos) will each release their individual top 30 lists to Patrons throughout the week!
1. Luis Robert (OF)
2. Andrew Vaughn (IF)
3. Michael Kopech (RHP)
4. Nick Madrigal (IF)
5. Jared Kelley (RHP)
There hasn’t been much change with the top of the list, aside from Vaughn moving up and Kelley getting in the mix. I placed Vaughn above Kopech due to the combination of hit and power tool that Vaughn possesses. He has a chance to be the best pure hitter on a very talented White Sox team and that says a lot about what he can bring to the table. Kelley cracked the top five above Garrett Crochet due to his ability to pound the strike zone and because of his effortless, easy velocity and the advanced secondary offering in his changeup at a young age.
6. Garrett Crochet (LHP)
7. Jonathan Stiever (RHP)
8. Dane Dunning (RHP)
9. Matthew Thompson (RHP)
10. Andrew Dalquist (RHP)
Newcomer Crochet isn’t far behind Kelley on the list, slotting in at six. The hardest decision among this group of prospects, who are all pitchers, was who should be ranked higher between Stiever and Dunning. Dunning has gotten off to a great start at the major league level in 2020 and Stiever has yet to make it that far. However, Stiever owns more velocity on his fastball and he controls it well. Stiever’s curveball also grades out as slightly better than Dunning’s, which gave him the edge on my list.
11. Micker Adolfo (OF)
12. Gavin Sheets (IF)
13. Luis Gonzalez (OF)
14. Jimmy Lambert (RHP)
15. Blake Rutherford (OF)
Adolfo remains ahead of the bunch in regards the the outfield group that was previously playing at Birmingham. My main reasoning for that is based on tools. After missing most of the 2019 season, he was able to return and finish out with the AZL affiliate and then got extended time in the Arizona Fall League. Adolfo struggled with timing at both stops and continued to show those struggles during spring training before it was shut down. He’s missed a lot of time in his minor league career, but when he puts it together and has his timing down, he is one of the most exciting outfield prospects to watch in the White Sox farm system.
16. Yolbert Sanchez (IF)
17. Jake Burger (IF)
18. Codi Heuer (RHP)
19. Zack Burdi (RHP)
20. Bryce Bush (OF)
Sanchez checks in at 16 primarily because he was considered a high-profile international signing. The cancellation of the minor league season really hurts Sanchez, who will be 24 years old by the time he plays his first stateside game with an affiliate.
Heuer is ranked as the highest relief pitching prospect in the system and he deserves it. After not pitching above Double-A, Heuer made his MLB debut this year and has looked great. He seems primed for a high-leverage relief role eventually, and the flamethrowing right-hander should thrive once given the keys to those situations.
Burger has climbed his way back up from the bottom of my list. He’s healthy and was able to get back on the field this year. He initially played in the CarShield Collegiate League and while that was against inferior competition in comparison to the professionals he’s played against in the past, it was great to see Burger back out there and swinging the bat. He is now in Schaumburg at the alternate site where he can continue to get work and be around his teammates.
21. James Beard (OF)
22. Tyler Johnson (RHP)
23. Benyamin Bailey (OF)
24. Konnor Pilkington (LHP)
25. DJ Gladney (IF)
Beard remains high on my list among outfield prospects throughout the lower levels of the minors. He struggled at the plate during his AZL stint in 2019, but the tools and speed are very real, especially the speed. Beard showed occasional pop in his bat, but it doesn’t seem like he will ever be a true power threat. Regardless, if Beard can put it all together at the plate, he has the potential to be a true two-way player.
Young outfielder Bailey is starting to slowly make his way up the list as well. After a remarkable DSL stint in 2019 where Bailey posted a .477 OBP, he was set to play stateside in 2020, but will have to wait just a little longer. Bailey seems like the type of prospect that can continue to rise on this list if he finds success once he starts playing stateside.
26. Bernardo Flores (LHP)
27. Bryan Ramos (IF)
28. Matt Foster (RHP)
29. Jose Rodriguez (IF)
30. Lency Delgado (IF)
Rounding out the rest of my list is primarily guys who most recently played in the AZL or at Great Falls. Delgado is a first time top 30 prospect for me. The former 2018 fourth-round pick has had swing and miss issues in his pro career thus far. However, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder brings a lot of athleticism from the left-side of the diamond with his big build. He’s currently playing shortstop, but scouts see third base as more of a long-term fit. He hasn’t shown much power yet, but there’s potential for that to change.
Ramos slowly continues to climb my list. He skipped playing in the DSL to make his professional debut in the AZL during 2019. At 17 years old, Ramos showed the task was not too much for him as he slashed .277/.353/.415 with 10 doubles, two triples and four home runs in 51 games. Like Delgado, Ramos also has a bigger build and flashes a lot of athleticism. He primarily played third base with the AZL White Sox, but he also saw some time at first base and he held his own across the diamond.