It’s time for prospect rankings here at FutureSox. The trade deadline has passed, but the pushed back 2021 minor league schedule means there’s still more than a month left in the regular season. Twice a year our writers work together to produce a ranked list of the top 30 White Sox prospects. We used a voting system among the staff to get things going, but we got together on a Zoom call and hashed it out until we had a top 30 we could stand by.
We release the list in two parts. This is the prospects ranked 16-30. The full list comes out tomorrow. We also have scouting reports on players who just missed the top 30.
Since our last list in February, four prospects have graduated (Andrew Vaughn, Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet and Nick Madrigal), another four have left the system (Luis Gonzalez, Zack Burdi, Bernardo Flores and Bailey Horn).
ELIGIBILITY: We consider a prospect any player in the White Sox organization who has not yet achieved MLB rookie status.
16. Romy Gonzalez, SS (Previous: Unranked)
- Drafted: 18th Round in 2018
No singular player in the White Sox system has burst onto the scene this year quite like Gonzalez. During the lost 2020 season, Gonzalez worked on his body and got into better shape, and the hard work and effort has paid off. The 24-year-old has tapped into his plus power, launching 20 home runs for the Barons (11 of which have occured at the cavernous Regions Field). Gonzalez has since been promoted to Triple-A Charlotte and got six hits, with three doubles and two home runs, in his first two games. It’s safe to say he’s scorching hot. The Miami native possesses solid bat speed and strength at the plate and is able to spray the ball to all parts of the field. There are some swing and miss concerns in his aggressive approach at the plate, but Gonzalez has displayed a solid BB% (11.3) while also swiping 21 bases. Gonzalez had mostly played the outfield, until the 2019 instructional league when shortstop became his primary focus. The former Hurricane has average arm strength for shortstop, but could use some refinement of his hands and range at the position. Having played all the positions outside of catcher and pitcher, he may profile best as an offensive-minded utility man.
17. Yolbert Sanchez, 2B/SS (Previous: 27, +10)
- Signed from Cuba in 2019
It’s a nice bump inside the Top 20 for Yolbert Sanchez, who has shown an advanced, mature approach at the plate in his first taste of full-season ball. The 24-year-old middle infielder posted the second-lowest strikeout rate (among qualifiers) in the High-A East Division at the time of his promotion to Double-A Birmingham on July 20. Sanchez logged a .340 on-base percentage in 60 games at Winston-Salem and has seen time at both shortstop (287 innings) and second base (367 innings) this season. The Havana, Cuba, native excelled in his introduction to Double-A pitching to the tune of a .364/.394/.485 clip at the plate through his first 26 games. Sanchez, who signed for $2.5 million in July 2019, hasn’t put his 55-60 grade speed on full display this season, but is still regarded as a plus runner on the basepaths.
18. Tanner McDougal, RHP (New)
- Drafted 5th Round in 2021
The fifth-rounder out of Silverado H.S. in Henderson, Nev., opened eyes with off-the-chart spin rates on his breaking pitches and a mid 90s fastball. At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, McDougal has the body type that scouts covet. In a conference call shortly after the draft, White Sox scouting director Mike Shirley called the over 3,000 spin rate on his breaking ball an elite weapon. Video shows that his command needs work, but that’s not uncommon for someone of his age. Signed for more than double the slot value of a fifth rounder, the White Sox are looking at him as a potential starter.
19. Kade McClure, RHP (Previous: 23, +4)
- Drafted 6th Round in 2017
The tall right-hander’s fastball reportedly ticked up to the mid 90s at fall instructs. He was typically in the low 90s before, but a velocity increase raised his profile. McClure also has an above-average slider and a decent curveball. He rounds out his repertoire with a splitter. After suffering a major knee injury in 2018, McClure bounced back to make a combined 22 starts between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem in 2019. This year, he made the jump to Double-A smoothly with a 3.82 ERA, 77 strikeouts and 20 walks in 68 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old earned a promotion to Charlotte and struggled in his first two starts.
20. Jason Bilous, RHP (Previous: Unranked)
- Drafted 13th Round in 2018
Bilous has possessed above average stuff dating back to his Coastal Carolina days, but control issues had previously troubled him. As a pro, Bilous had BB/9’s of 5.89 and 5.25 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Something clicked for the 24-year-old right-hander in 2021. That BB/9 dropped down to 3.12. His K/9 has also improved this season to 12.33, when it was previously at 7.61 and 9.72 in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The Delaware native has been working his 60 grade fastball at 92-95, a low 80s 55-grade slider, an average curve and a change that flashes average. Bilous got off to a hot start in Winston-Salem and was quickly promoted to Birmingham, where he’s flashed dominance (and struggles) at times. If the Coastal Carolina product is able to reign in his control consistently, he profiles as a backend starter type. If the control escapes him, a future in the bullpen may be the ultimate home for the 6-foot-2’ right-hander.
21. Lenyn Sosa, SS (Previous: Unranked)
- Signed from Venezuela in 2016
Ever since joining the White Sox five years ago, Sosa has slowly, but very steadily, improved. In 2021, the 21-year-old officially broke out. Through 334 at-bats in Winston-Salem, he batted .290/.321/.443 and logged 10 home runs, 49 RBIs and 19 doubles. He earned a promotion to Double-A Birmingham. With the Barons, Sosa has struggled, but it’s only been 11 games. He’s hitting the ball in the air more than he has for most of his career, but playing in Birmingham will not do his power numbers any good. Still only 21, Sosa will be an intriguing, Danny Mendick-like player to watch.
22. Misael Gonzalez, OF (Previous: Unranked)
- Drafted 12th Round in 2019
A toolsy, speedy outfielder from Leadership Christian Academy in Puerto Rico, Gonzalez has burst onto the scene in 2021. A cutdown on his strikeout percentage, increased walk rate, and development of power in Arizona helped Gonzalez own a 146 wRC+ and .437 wOBA through 21 games with the ACL White Sox before earning a promotion to Kannapolis. Gonzalez is showing that he can be a total package, with speed and defense that will allow him to stick in center field plus the ability to hit for power with an improving approach at the plate.
23. Cristian Mena, RHP (Previous: Unranked)
- Signed from Dominican Republic in 2019
Mena, whom the White Sox signed for $250,000 out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019, has flashed plenty of promise in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League this summer. Although the 18-year-old has been knocked around a bit (52 hits in 35.1 innings), the swing-and-miss stuff and complete, three-pitch mix have been on full display. As a young arm in his first taste of pro ball, Mena’s control (78 percent strike rate) is encouraging and his 10.95 K/9 rate is equally impressive. He’ll be a fun project to watch develop over the next handful of years.
24. Caleb Freeman, RHP (Previous: 29, +5)
- Drafted 15th Round in 2019
A pure, right-handed reliever, Freeman took another leap forward this season and displayed a composed, effective approach in the later innings (six saves in seven opportunities). The Texas Tech product showed he can fill the strike zone with ease and holds a 61% strike rate this year, which was preceded by a 72 percent strike rate during the 2019 campaign. Freeman, 23, has made strides with his low-80s curve, featured here, and owns a solid 11.21 K/9 rate this season. He earned a promotion to Double-A Birmingham on July 30 and the early returns have been positive.
25. McKinley Moore, RHP (Previous: Unranked)
- Drafted 14th Round in 2019
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound flamethrower out of Arkansas-Little Rock is making his debut on the top 30 list. Moore has a mid-to-upper 90s fastball that is his best offering and he pairs that with a mid-80s slider. The ability to throw strikes consistently has been an issue for Moore, but his combined 14.1 K/9 between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem this year is very encouraging. Moore has high-leverage or closer type potential, he just needs to improve his control and limit the walks.
26. Chase Krogman, OF (Previous: 30, +4)
- Drafted 34th Round in 2019
Despite other fellow Kannapolis players Jose Rodiguez and Bryan Ramos making significant gains, Krogman hasn’t shown the promise that they have in 2021. He’s formidable in the field, usually residing in left field. There is a huge upside with his bat. The power is evident sparsely in part because his strikeout rate ballooned to 43.2%. His swing has a lot of components to it, with a rather high leg raise that brings his knee near his hip on load-up. That leads to him being either way out in-front or a mile behind on pitches. When he connects, he does possess pull-power to right field. His speed allows him to leg out the occasional extra base hit. The upside with Krogman is massive and he could be a 15-20 home run bat if he can sure up the swing. If Krogman can create more contact and reduce the strikeouts, he could be a player to watch in Kannapolis in 2022.
27. Jefferson Mendoza, C (Previous: Unranked)
- Signed from Venezuela in 2017
Mendoza makes his reappearance on our top 30 after a brief departure. Signed out of Venezuela for $300,000 in 2017, the 6-foot, 220-pound catcher has excellent blocking and receiving skills behind the dish as well as a plus throwing arm. More known for his defensive prowess, Mendoza may have the ability to provide average power potential in the future. The 20-year-old also uses a middle of the field approach at the plate. If Mendoza is able to reach his ceiling, he could very well be a major league starting catcher. Otherwise, a career as a defensive-minded backup may best suit the young Venezeulan.
28. Luis Mieses, OF (Previous: Unranked)
- Signed from the Dominican Republic in 2016
Standing at a lean 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Mieses is an interesting player. The 21-year-old started at High-A Winston-Salem and scuffled to start 2021, resulting in a move to Low-A Kannapolis. Mieses turned his season around playing in right field and mashed at the dish with a strong .305/.347/.463 slash line. With slightly under a third of his hits being extra-base hits, Mieses showed he could handle Low-A pitching. He has a quick bat that hangs in the strike zone and he doesn’t miss pitches he likes. While he may not be the fastest for his size, he is fairly quick to track down balls in the outfield and rarely makes a bad read. His performance in Kannapolis got him called back to Winston-Salem to start August. In his return he hit .275/.306/.507 in the first 18 games of August. Should the farm system remain this thin, look for Mieses to make a push for a top 20 status.
29. Wilber Sanchez, SS (Previous: Unranked)
- Signed from Venezuela in 2019
Sanchez is yet another prospect making his debut on our top 30 list this year. At 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, the 19-year-old from Venezuela is a strong defender with the ability to stick at shortstop. The bat, however, is still a work in progress. Sanchez has spent time in Arizona and Kannapolis where he is slashing a combined .240/.274/.357 with three doubles, four home runs, six walks and 40 strikeouts in 27 games this year.
30. Wilfred Veras, 3B (Previous: Unranked)
- Signed from the Dominican Republic in 2019
Veras was an unheralded member of the 2019-2020 international signing class and he didn’t play baseball in 2020 with the DSL season being cancelled. The cousin of Fernado and Elijah Tatis and son of former big leaguer Wilton Veras signed for $200,000 and has made his professional debut in the Arizona Complex League in stateside ball this year. He’s a third baseman with a strong arm, solid hands and good footwork and he should stay at the position despite below average run times. The carrying tool is definitely the right-handed hitter’s bat though. The White Sox were attracted to his power potential as an amateur and he’s hit .287/.407/.500 with three homers in the complex league. There is lots of physical upside remaining for the 18-year-old. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has posted a 136 wRC+ with a 13.3% walk rate and an ISO% of .213 in 29 games.
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