Top 30 White Sox prospect rankings midseason 2021

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 full list with scouting reports on the top 15 prospects. Scouting reports on prospects 16-30 is here. 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.

1. Colson Montgomery, SS (New)

• Drafted 1st Round (22nd overall) in 2021

This year’s first round draft pick out of Southridge High School in Indiana shoots straight to the top of our charts. With a left-handed power bat, and a hit tool to go along with it, the 6-foot-4 shortstop is full of potential. He has the athleticism to stick in the middle of the infield and is a complete hitter spraying to all fields. Observers compare him to Corey Seager at the same age. His strength and bat speed provide the potential for adding even more power as he develops. A standout high school basketball player, he also performed well in wooden bat leagues. He’s currently playing in the Arizona Complex league, but a promotion to Kannapolis is a possibility.

2. Yoelqui Céspedes, OF (Previous: 9, +7)

• Signed from Cuba in 2021

Céspedes, the half-brother of former All-Star Yoenis Céspedes, made his stateside debut at High-A Winston-Salem in mid-June after a visa issue delayed his arrival at the start of the season. The 23-year-old outfielder proved he can handle professional pitching and has been as advertised in many facets. Céspedes, who participated in the Futures Game, earned a few votes among our staff to earn the No. 1 spot in the Top 30 in part due to his recent surge at the plate. He owns a dynamite .339/.406/.613 slash line in the month of August and hit safely in 18 of his final 21 games with the Dash before he earned a promotion to Double-A Birmingham, where he is expected to finish out the season. Listed as a plus runner, Céspedes has shown smart tendencies on the basepaths and holds an 79 percent success rate (11-for-14) in stolen bases. The White Sox believe he can play center field and has committed just one error in more than 180 innings at the position. Céspedes, who signed for $2.05 million in January 2021, has done nothing to discredit himself from a spot near the top of the prospect list and should move through the system quickly following his first year of pro ball.

3. Wes Kath, 3B (New)

• Drafted 2nd Round (57th overall) in 2021

In a farm system that needed youth and high upside talent, Kath brings both and finds himself as a top three prospect immediately within the organization. The White Sox had interest in Kath in round one, but were able to push him to round two with an overslot signing bonus. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he brings the ability to make consistent, hard contact from the left-side of the plate and strength that gives him a lot of power potential. Kath was a shortstop in high school, but will shift to third base as a professional. He owns a strong arm and enough athleticism that should play well at the hot corner.

4. Jake Burger, 3B (Previous: 17, +12)

• Drafted 1st Round (11th overall) in 2017

Burger has been all over the place in the FutureSox Top 30. After checking in at 8, 14, 23, 29, 19 and 16, he’s now all the way up to 4, and for good reason. The 25-year-old third baseman received an aggressive assignment to Triple-A Charlotte at the start of the 2021 season, having not played above High-A Winston-Salem in his career — and that was in 2017. The decision to ‘Knight’ Burger paid off. He crushed Triple-A East pitching to the tune of .322/.368/.596 with a .964 OPS, 10 homeruns, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 102 Total Bases and a team-leading 36 RBIs in 171 at-bats. The great start to his season made him the chosen one when a struggling Yermin Mercedes was sent down.
Burger made his MLB debut on July 2, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. He batted .263 with an .807 OPS (10 hits in 38 at-bats), 3 doubles, 1 home run and 3 RBIs with the White Sox before being sent back down to Charlotte to make room for a returning Eloy Jimenez. After a few years during which Burger’s future was hanging in the balance, he has now firmly put himself back on the prospect radar. A September call-up is not out of the question, if and when the hand injury that has kept him out of action for a while has healed.

5. Norge Vera, RHP (Previous: 10, +5)

• Signed from Cuba in 2021

Vera was one of the top pitching prospects in the 2021 international class. He is the son of Norge Luis Vera, who was a standout pitcher for Cuba’s National Team and in the Serie Nacional during the league’s pristine times. The righty sat mostly 90-94 mph with his fastball at showcases and some scouts were mixed on his command and secondary offerings, but the hurler was making mechanical adjustments throughout and he was hitting 97 mph in workouts with the White Sox prior to signing. A hard slider is the primary second offering with a developing changeup as well. Vera has a projectable body, steady arm action and a calm demeanor on the mound. Combine his pitching skills with a high baseball IQ and you’re looking at a prospect with top of the rotation potential. Similarly to Yoelqui Cespedes, Vera defected from Cuba while in New Jersey as a member of the Can-Am League. He officially signed as a member of the 2021 international class and the Cuban was the highest ranked pitcher in the class. Vera has made a few appearances for the White Sox affiliate in the Dominican Summer League and his fastball is sitting regularly in the high 90s. Tax implications will keep him in the DSL this year, but he could move quickly in 2022 and possesses impact starter upside.

6. Gavin Sheets, 1B/OF (Previous: 11, +5)

• Drafted 2nd Round in 2017

After dominating Triple-A, Sheets’ call-up to Chicago this season was a smashing success — literally. In just 86 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers, the 49th overall pick in the 2017 draft slammed six homers, five doubles and 16 RBI, against just 15 strikeouts. Sheets has worked hard in the minors this year to add more power to a swing that features great bat-to-ball skills, and the tiny sample size with the White Sox offers hope. But this optimism is tempered a bit by just 17 extra-base hits in hitter-friendly Charlotte.

7. Matthew Thompson, RHP (Previous: 7)

• Drafted 2nd Round in 2019

With an energetic approach on the mound, Thompson is fun to watch. In his 2021 campaign, he has struggled with a 7.20 ERA across 55 IP. His fastball has been touted by scouts before, but his use of the offspeed has progressed significantly with a nasty 12-6 curveball in the mid-to-upper 70s. Thompson went down with a lower body injury during a May 12 contest that cost him all of June and early July. Since his return, he has looked sharper with the fastball. Of all the Low-A Kannapolis arms, Thompson has shown the most promise as he’s been able to go deep in games while staying very effective. With a little more swing and miss in his game to get away from a near .300 OPP BA, the athletic 2019 draftee can become a formidable starter.

8. Jared Kelley, RHP (Previous: 5, -3)

• Drafted 2nd round in 2020

In his first year of pro ball, Kelley has shown flashes of dominance. His fastball tops out around 97-98 mph and his offspeed can be devastating when it connects. Two big knocks on Kelley are his size and command. Coming in at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, he has seemed big for his frame and it shows in his outings, going no further than three innings in all but one of his eight starts. The command has been an issue for Kelley as he’s posted an 8.6 BB/9 across 20 IP so far in 2021. On the tail of that, he holds a 10.9 K/9. The K-rate upside is an encouraging sign for Kelley. Like Thompson, Kelley went down with an injury at the end of May that kept him out all of June. He has all the makings of a starting pitcher, he just needs to work on conditioning and command.

9. Andrew Dalquist, RHP (Previous: 8, -1)

• Drafted 3rd Round in 2019 

California native Dalquist has had just as much struggle in Kannapolis as his fellow top prospects. A 5.43 ERA through mid-August is not great. Like his pitching compatriots, Dalquist has been the victim of some brutal defense behind him. The 2019 third-round prep selection has 10 extra runs that haven’t counted towards his earned total. On the plus side, Dalquist has been effective with the mid 90s fastball, utilizing it to create early contact in at-bats. The wiry pitcher hasn’t been as effective with his offspeed pitch mix. While his fastball can be effective, it’s a matter of time before hitters expect it and start timing it up. With a repeatable delivery, Dalquist has been the most consistent of the Kannapolis prospect arms in 2021. If he could strengthen his offspeed, Dalquist can be on the same level with Thompson. 

10. Jose Rodriguez, SS (Previous: 20, +10)

• Signed from the Dominican Republic in 2018 

If you want to talk about a small investment with big upside, look no further than Rodriguez. As a $50,000 signee, Rodriguez has carved his way to becoming a top prospect in the White Sox system. “Popeye,” as they have coined him in Low-A Kannapolis, had a strong start to the 2021 campaign. He led the Low-A East in hits and doubles before his promotion to High-A Winston-Salem at the start of August. Rodriguez has a quick bat that can fly through the strike zone. With a little pop in his bat, he has gap-to-gap prowess with the ability to spray the ball to all fields. One knock has been his aggressive approach at the plate. He doesn’t strike out a ton, but the approach can lead to some over-ambitious swings. That aggression has led to a low walk rate. In the field, he’s solid at shortstop and his speed allows him to execute tough outs. Rodriguez could be a 15-25 player with his bat and speed combination, but the concern is whether or not his plate approach will translate to the higher levels.

11. Bryan Ramos, 3B/2B (Previous: 17, +6)

• Signed from Cuba in 2018

Ramos has shown flashes of an elite bat that could propel him through the White Sox system. Ramos is playing his first year of full season ball in Low-A Kannapolis at the ripe age of 19. He possesses good power, a quick bat and a strong frame to help him knock home runs. Although the bat can be strong, he does have a tendency to be over-selective. A decent walk rate is nice, but averaging a strikeout per game does highlight his youth. While he may not be the quickest runner, Ramos has some sneaky speed with double digit stolen bases in mid-August. With plenty to see of Ramos at the plate, there needs to be more from him in the field for a stronger feel on what he can be. He has DH’d a majority of his games for the prospect-laden Kannapolis lineup. When he is in the field, Ramos can be found at second and third base. He’s had more success at the hot corner, but having the versatility to play at second is a plus. Despite the strikeouts and little time in the field, Ramos has put together a solid campaign together for being as young as he is at the Low-A level.  

12. Jonathan Stiever, RHP (Previous: 6 -6)

• Drafted 5th Round in 2018

Stiever has ascended rapidly through the White Sox system, as the 2018 fifth-round draft pick is in Triple-A and has seem big league cameos each of the past two seasons. Though his 2021 stats are disappointing, a deeper dive reveals major-league stuff, beginning with a fastball that sits 96, with plenty of movement. Stiever has worked hard on his mechanics this year, and his breaking pitches are improving, but still need to be thrown with greater consistency and bite.

13. Sean Burke, RHP (New)

• Drafted 3rd Round in 2021

The 21-year-old right-hander out of Maryland easily reaches 93-94 with a high-end velocity of 97-98. At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, it’s not a surprise that the velocity comes easy to him. Couple that with a 55-grade knuckle-curve and slider with a solid change up and you have the makeup of a strikeout machine. His four-seamer rides up in the zone and has the potential to play up further. His lack of command caused him to fall in the draft. He’ll need to overcome that to reach the majors. Also noteworthy: Burke missed the 2019 season after Tommy John surgery.

14. Jimmy Lambert, RHP (Previous: 15, +1)

• Drafted 5th Round in 2016

Lambert remains first man up when the White Sox need a spot start in 2021, underscoring the big league club’s faith in him. But they are also being extremely cautious with the 2016 fifth-round draft pick since his return from 2019 Tommy John surgery. He is averaging just over three innings per start this year. His four-seamer rarely tops 94, but his breaking-pitch command continues to improve. This year is about building arm strength and improving his command, with the occasional once-through-the-lineup spot start in Chicago. Next year will likely be Lambert’s make-or-break year.

15. Micker Adolfo, OF (Previous: 14, -1)

• Signed from the Dominican Republic in 2013

Adolfo is (by far) the longest tenured prospect in the FutureSox Top 30, first checking in on the preseason list for the 2014 (!) season. Seven years, Tommy John surgery and some serious struggles later, the Dominican checks in at No. 15 in our 2021 midseason rankings. Adolfo started the 2021 season in Double-A Birmingham, where power notoriously goes to die. He did not seem to care about the Barons’ home rep, as he smacked 15 home runs (10 of which at home), with 15 doubles in 217 at-bats for the Barons. The strikeouts were still there (85), but the output was enough to earn him a trip to Charlotte. With four home runs and 10 extra base hits in 20 games, his power has played well in Charlotte.
Adolfo is far from a perfect prospect these days, and the hype that chased him for years has severely died down, but he has already surpassed his career high in home runs, his outfield arm looks as ridiculous as it did before the Tommy John surgery, and he’s only 24 years old. All that said, he’s running out of time. He has been on the 40-man roster for a while, and is out of options after the 2021 season. Since there does not appear to be a spot for him in Chicago, the White Sox will be happy to see their longtime prospect recoup some (trade) value.

16. Romy Gonzalez, SS (Previous: Unranked)

17. Yolbert Sanchez, 2B/SS (Previous: 17, +10)

18. Tanner McDougal, RHP (New)

19. Kade McClure, RHP (Previous: 23, +4)

20. Jason Bilous, RHP (Previous: Unranked)

21. Lenyn Sosa, SS (Previous: Unranked)

22. Misael Gonzalez, OF (Previous: Unranked)

23. Cristian Mena, RHP (Previous: Unranked)

24. Caleb Freeman, RHP (Previous: 29, +5)

25. McKinley Moore, RHP (Previous: Unranked)

26. Chase Krogman, OF (Previous: 30, +4)

27. Jefferson Mendoza, C (Previous: Unranked)

28. Luis Mieses, OF (Previous: Unranked)

29. Wilber Sanchez, SS (Previous: Unranked)

30. Wilfred Veras, 3B (Previous: Unranked)

Photo credit: Sean Williams/FutureSox

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.