We just updated our prospect rankings here at FutureSox and we have tons of content to go with that.
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.
1. Luis Robert
2. Michael Kopech
3. Andrew Vaughn
4. Nick Madrigal
5. Dane Dunning
In the preseason, Kopech was unanimously picked second above Vaughn. This time around, six of our eight voters flipped to Vaughn. I will not hold it against Kopech that he opted out of the 2020 season. He showed in his lone spring training outing that he had his velocity back in triple digits. He’s a premier pitching talent that should help the team next year.
The only other pick up for discussion in this group is Dunning at No. 5. I had him here even before his MLB debut, but that has furthered my argument. He is the most sure thing among the group of pitchers that slot in this range and is already showing that in the majors.
6. Jonathan Stiever
7. Garrett Crochet
8. Jared Kelley
9. Matthew Thompson
10. Andrew Dalquist
I like Stiever ahead of Crochet and Kelley because I think both recent draft picks have major things to improve. For Crochet, it’s his changeup (and proving the durability of a starting pitcher). For Kelley, it’s his breaking ball. Stiever still has to improve as well, and admittedly I am wavering on having him this high. I think the 5-8 group is interchangeable. Thompson and Dalquist could easily jump into that group next year.
11. Codi Heuer
12. Micker Adolfo
13. Jimmy Lambert
14. Luis Gonzalez
15. Gavin Sheets
I am really high on Heuer, but it’s because I’ve seen his stuff work against MLB hitters. He has good control of an upper 90s fastball and has a good slider to go with it. By ranking Heuer this high, I am banking on his future as an elite reliever.
I like Lambert’s repertoire as well, but health is a major concern. After having Tommy John surgery, Lambert hit the 45-day injured list with a forearm strain. He would be a couple spots higher if he was healthy.
Adolfo’s power ranks him the highest among the crop of prospects that were in Birmingham last year. Gonzalez edges Sheets because of his defensive value as someone who can play center field.
16. Blake Rutherford
17. Zack Burdi
18. Yolbert Sanchez
19. Bernardo Flores
20. Jake Burger
I’m fairly low on Rutherford. Until he shows power in games, his profile doesn’t do much for me. Luis Alexander Basabe was designated for assignment with a better profile in my mind. What does that mean for Rutherford?
Burdi has great stuff like Heuer, but needs to show command of it. Flores is the opposite. He has good command, but without the flashy stuff. As a lefty, Flores can have an MLB future with that.
Burger is probably the hardest player to rank. He is a first-round pick, but hasn’t played since 2017. He’ll be 25 by what would be the first week of the 2021 minor league season. What does that mean for someone who hasn’t played above Low-A? Hopefully we get to find out.
21. Matt Foster
22. Bryce Bush
23. Tyler Johnson
24. Konnor Pilkington
25. Bryan Ramos
Foster is one of the best surprises of the year and makes for a good story. A 20th round pick who has been arguably the most effective reliever in the White Sox bullpen.
Bush and Ramos are exciting youngsters. Bush was a bit overmatched in Kannapolis last year, but showed enough there to not give up on his potential.
26. Benyamin Bailey
27. Ian Hamilton
28. Jose Rodriguez
29. DJ Gladney
30. James Beard
Bailey could move up quickly next year if there is a normal minor league season. We would have seen his U.S. debut this year, but that has to wait. Rodriguez, Gladney and Beard have talent, but need to develop as baseball players in the coming years to move up.