Top White Sox Prospects by Position: Middle Infielders

By / / Rankings Discussion

2020 was a rough year, especially to Minor League Baseball. Numerous intriguing prospects at the lower levels of the minors had their development halted due to the pandemic. Prospects being unable to get into game action essentially from Spring Training until fall instructional league is not something that anyone associated with player development would draw up. Despite the lack of a 2020 minor league season, the White Sox still retain an interesting crop of middle infield talent in the lower levels of the minor leagues that will look to showcase their growth in 2021.

With our 2021 preseason prospect rankings on the horizon, we are gearing with a position-by-position breakdown of White Sox prospects. Here’s a look at the top five middle infielders in the White Sox organization heading into the 2021 season:

1. Nick Madrigal

Since joining the organization, Madrigal has led the way as the top middle infield prospect for the White Sox. While he still does hold prospect eligibility, he should graduate quickly in the 2021 season. After a brief stint at the Schaumburg alternate site, Madrigal made his major league debut in 2020 and put his elite contact skills on display for the White Sox.

Madrigal hit to the tune of a .340/.376/.369 triple slash, with a 112 wRC+ in 29 games for the White Sox. While it was likely his 3.0 K% from his 2019 minor league season would increase at the major league level, a jump to 6.4% in 2020 was a welcome sight for the White Sox lineup.

A shoulder injury in early August caused Madrigal to spend some time on the IL. However, upon his return to the lineup, he finished strong with the bat, hitting .349/.385/.384 with a 5.5 K% and a 118 wRC+.

Approaching his second season with the White Sox, Madrigal will look to shore up on some uncharacteristic defensive and base-running miscues that plagued him in 2020. While power won’t be a big aspect of his offensive profile, showing some signs of in game power will help keep opposing defenses honest against him. After off-season shoulder surgery, Madrigal is expected to be ready for the regular season and will be entrenched as the starting second baseman for the club.

2. Yolbert Sanchez

For the second year in a row, our top two middle infield prospect rankings hold steady. The top signing from the 2019 international class is the highest ranked shortstop in the system once again. The lack of a 2020 season hurt Sanchez’s opportunity to demonstrate that he’s more than just a glove-first prospect.

Sanchez was at fall instructs for the club. After doing some strength training he was noticeably bigger. Defense will be his certainly be his calling card. It was believed by some scouts that he could play shortstop in the majors right away after signing with the White Sox.

As it stands, Sanchez has a contacted-orientated approach at the dish. It would be a welcome sight for the soon to be 24-year-old to add more power into his game, as that development could propel him past a utility player projection (according to FanGraphs). Sanchez will look to build upon his 2019 .297/.386/.441 slash line at a stateside affiliate in 2021.

3. Jose Rodriguez

The first change in our middle infielders ranking comes here, as Jose Rodriguez claims the third spot. Rodriguez had a strong showing in his first crack at stateside action in 2019, batting .293/.328/.505 with nine home runs for the AZL White Sox.

Rodriguez was a participant at the fall instructional League, and FanGraphs relayed that he looked more muscular and matured than he did in 2019. Further, on top looking bigger, he was also stronger and twitchier during instructs. While his approach at the plate could still use some refinement, the power potential and hitting ability for the 19-year-old is intriguing.

The 2018 international signing has played both shortstop and second base thus far in the minors. As he advances through the system, his range and arm may be better suited at second. Rodriguez currently projects as an offensive-minded utility type player, but has the tools to develop himself into MLB regular status with a strong showing in 2021.

4. Lenyn Sosa

  • Last level: Low-A (Kannapolis, 2019)

The 2016 international signing has held his own at every stop in the minors thus far. Sosa rebounded from a rough first half at Kannapolis in 2019, batting .276/.326/.393 with a 6.9 BB%, 17.3 K%, and a 110 wRC+ after the break. He finished the year with a .251/.292/.371 batting line. Sosa has been pushed aggressively in his time with the White Sox, as he’s been one of the younger players on the roster at every stop.

Sosa has a quick swing and is able to make consistent contact at the plate. The recently turned 21-year-old also possesses good barreling ability and physical strength in the box. Improving his patience and elevation of the ball at the plate can further propel Sosa’s offensive ceiling.

Sosa has good hands and instincts at shortstop, as well a strong arm. The White Sox believe he’ll be able to stick at shortstop in the long term.

5. Elijah Tatis

  • Last level: Rookie (Dominican Summer League, 2019)

After being a part of the 2019 international class, Tatis rounds out our top five. Tatis saw limited action as a 17-year-old in the DSL in 2019, batting just .187/.300/.213 in 75 at-bats. The young Dominican also split time between shortstop and second base in his first taste of professional baseball.

The now 19-year-old owns a strong arm and glove, as well as solid instincts and movements around the infield. Tatis has shown promise from the defensive side of the ball, and Marco Paddy (White Sox Special Assistant to the Sr. Vice President/General Manager) believes he’ll be able to stick at shortstop.

The White Sox project that there is more in Tatis’ bat than his 2019 stat line may have alluded to. Tatis has a simple and repeatable swing at the plate, and he was able to add strength to his frame during 2020. Tatis is still raw as a player (the lack of a 2020 season didn’t help), nonetheless, his potential (and family bloodlines) make him an intriguing prospect moving forward.

Just Missed: Lency Delgado

  • Last level: Advanced Rookie (Great Falls, 2019)

Delgado makes our just missed list for middle infielders in 2021. The 2018 fourth round pick is physically imposing on the diamond, but to this point, results have been mixed.

Delgado has above-average raw power, but the power has yet to show up in games. He hit three home runs across his first two minor league seasons. Delgado’s approach at the plate could use some work, as he struck out at a 37.5% rate at Great Falls in 2019. Despite the high K%, he was able to bat .274.325/.377 as a 20-year-old in 2019.

Coming out of the draft, it was believed that Delgado was an advanced defender at shortstop with solid footwork, twitchy actions, and an above average arm.

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 on a mobile device) and click create subscription. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.

Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.