Prospects 1-5:
Colson Montgomery, Noah Schultz, Edgar Quero, Bryan Ramos, Jacob Gonzalez
– My personal Top 5 was 100 percent aligned with the group’s consensus, and for good reason. All indications suggest Colson Montgomery, now a Top 20 prospect in all of baseball (MLB Pipeline), will be the cornerstone of this club in due time. Noah Schultz was flat-out unhittable at Low-A Kannapolis before being shut down in late-August with shoulder impingement. The White Sox brass claims there is no long-term concern. Edgar Quero, a switch-hitting catcher with advanced plate discipline, was an important deadline addition and is the starting backstop of the future.
Prospects 6-10:
Jake Eder, Cristian Mena, Peyton Pallette, Nick Nastrini, José Rodriguez
– This is a group of massive potential and massive risk. Left-hander Jake Eder represented an important deadline-day acquisition for the White Sox as another high-upside southpaw alongside Noah Schultz, but he’s already undergone TJS and a major foot surgery. Cristian Mena has tremendous swing-and-miss stuff in his arsenal, but holds an elevated walk rate. Similarly, Peyton Pallette throws a hammer curveball that is arguably the best in the entire system, but has seen his overall command dip post-TJS. José Rodriguez has 20-20 potential as a major league-caliber second baseman, but the White Sox need to give him a full opportunity to seize the position.
Prospects 11-15:
Jonathan Cannon, George Wolkow, Lenyn Sosa (graduated), Ky Bush, Sean Burke
– Lenyn Sosa has since graduated from this group of five, and Jonathan Cannon is a right-hander with a very solid floor. The other three (Wolkow, Bush, Burke) have many, many question marks attached to their profiles. Wolkow, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, might already have the most significant raw power in the system. There’s going to be a steep learning curve as he becomes accustomed to professional pitching and works to limit his swing-and-miss rate, but there’s plenty to dream on here. Ky Bush was a fine secondary piece in the Lucas Giolito & Reynaldo López deal, but the White Sox would be prudent to develop him going forward as a slider-heavy lefty reliever instead of holding out hope for a back-of-the-rotation arm. After a promising 2022 campaign, right-hander Sean Burke took a step back this season while at Triple-A Charlotte, but could offer the big-league club depth in the rotation next year.
Prospects 16-20:
Jacob Burke, Terrell Tatum, Wilfred Veras, Matthew Thompson, Seth Keener
– Wilfred Veras has been the main riser from this group following a dynamic 2023 campaign at Hi-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. The White Sox shifted him from corner infield to outfield this season, and he’s held up well enough in his new role. Still just 20 years old, he’s continued to produce against more advanced competition and is one to monitor throughout the 2024 season. Jacob Burke has been a hot name among the White Sox social community in line with his 52-game on-base streak (May 11 – July 21). He profiles as a fourth outfielder on a contending team.
Prospects 21-25:
Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor, Korey Lee, Loidel Chapelli, Tyler Schweitzer
– Right-handed flamethrower Jordan Leasure represents a key piece in the reconstruction of the White Sox bullpen and I’m excited to see what he offers to the big-league club in 2024. Catcher Korey Lee was fair value as a return for Kendall Graveman, but despite his notable raw power and plus arm strength behind the plate, I’m not sure he’ll ever hit consistently enough to justify a full-time role. I am a huge proponent of Loidel Chapelli’s future in this organization. The DSL was not a challenge for him last year (.344/.448/.636 in 46 games), and he held up at Winston-Salem in his first go-around in full-season ball with double-digit home runs and double-digit stolen bases.
Prospects 26-30:
Ryan Burrowes, Juan Carela, Norge Vera, Yoelqui Céspedes, Tanner McDougal
– An interesting mix among the final group of five here. Juan Carela, a deadline acquisition, has shown modest promise, but has never pitched above Hi-A and is Rule 5 eligible this offseason. Norge Vera arrived stateside in 2022 with potentially the highest ceiling of any right-handed pitcher in the organization, but has been plagued by injuries. I’m still of the belief there is a major league-caliber outfielder in Yoelqui Céspedes, but he simply has not made enough progress in the upper levels of the minors.