White Sox
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2024 White Sox preseason individual top 30: Ian Eskridge

By / / Analysis, Top 30

1-5: WHITE SOX CREAM OF THE CROP

1. Colson Montgomery (SS)
2. Noah Schultz (LHP)
3. Drew Thorpe (RHP)
4. Bryan Ramos (3B)
5. Edgar Quero (C)

Colson Montgomery is undoubtedly the top prospect for the White Sox, and in the MLB landscape he is almost unanimously in the top 15. He is still a work in progress, but since the “Holland Hammer” was drafted he has improved every aspect of his game. His plate approach is advanced and the footwork and glove is progressing enough to stick at SS.

I struggled between Noah Schultz and Drew Thorpe at 2. Ultimately I decided to go with the elite upside of the southpaw Schultz. The raw ability coupled with the amount of polish for such a young pitcher is what led me there. A couple of injuries limited his appearances and pitch counts in ’23, but what he did under those restrictions was nothing short of electric. Extension and ride on the fastball coupled with that disgusting slider made for a multitude of impressive video clips.

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Drew Thorpe is as polished as they come. A plus plus change up leads Thorpe’s arsenal, and it is, if not the best, at least certainly one of the tops in the minor leagues. His slider is very good, and he throws it in a few different shapes. The last offering from him is his fastball. While it lacks velocity (tops out at around 94) it does have some arm side run, and the command, as with all his pitches, is immaculate. Expect him with the White Sox sometime in 2024.

As with most White Sox top prospect lists, the top 5 contains Bryan Ramos and trade deadline acquisition, catcher, Edgar Quero. I have Ramos as my #4 because I have seen elite power, bat speed, and very good defense at 3B from him. Like Quero, he is still very young, and I only see improvement on the horizon. He could make his debut with the White Sox in 2024.

Quero will need to regain the power stroke that moved him up the rankings in the preseason of 2023, while shoring up the defense behind the plate to pass Ramos. Quero is likely receiving an unjust penalty due to skipping advanced A ball in the Angels system. Hopefully with a bit of comfortability at the AA level Quero can put up some monster numbers in 2024. I’m expecting a debut with the White Sox in 2025.

6-10: COMING SOON

6. Nick Nastrini (RHP)
7. Jake Eder (LHP)
8. Jairo Iriarte (RHP)
9. Peyton Pallette (RHP)
10. Jose Rodriguez (SS/2B)

Nick Nastrini was drafted out of UCLA with inconsistent mechanics and major command issues. He took note of everything the Dodgers could throw at him, and popped out the other side a force. While in the Los Angeles system he became a pitch shaping monster, and added a bunch of pitches to his arsenal, though we are unlikely to see all of them in game. He has the physical tools to be a 2-3 in the rotation if all goes well. He has the talent to be on the White Sox opening day roster in 2024, but I don’t know if that will happen.

I am high on Jake Eder. I haven’t seen everybody else’s list since the Cease trade, but I may have him ranked the highest. Drafted in 2020, with no minor league season, he was assigned straight to AA. He so savagely dominated the Southern League that he jumped into the MLB Pipeline Top 100. 2 years, 1 Tommy John, 1 broken foot, and a trade of the Jake’s later, he finds himself with the White Sox. I have seen the electric stuff. I believe he will rekindle it and rise up.

Jairo Iriarte has big time velo and a very nasty slider. His command can sometimes disappear for a few batters. I like the upside, and he could end up as a top half of the rotation with it. If he is inconsistent he could end up an elite closer. It is way too early to slot him in the bullpen. Iriarte is young enough that the White Sox have time to wait and see where he takes it from here.

Peyton Pallette was lauded for his monster spin rates at Arkansas and was likely slotted for a first round pick, but then came Thomas Edward John knocking. The numbers and command he showed in 2023 is likely not what he will put out in 2024. Here’s hoping the devastating curve ball and command return. If so, chalk him up as a value draft pick for the White Sox. If not, we wait to see what becomes of a big time lottery ticket.

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I am a believer in Jose Rodriguez. Instead of focusing on his perceived lack of discipline, I will focus on the fact that he is aggressive. Despite the aggression, he has the bat to ball to avoid striking out at a massive rate. More walks and less hitting the ball just because he can get to almost anything would elevate his prospect status universally.

Popeye is not perfect, but he does a lot of things very well. He managed to put up 20HR’s in 2023 despite starting the year with very little rehab time on a broken and surgically repaired hamate bone. His base running, despite the lack of elite speed, is very good. He will take the extra base by being smart, and do the same to steal bases. His glove and arm are severely underrated. He made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2023, but he didn’t get an at bat. He pinch ran and scored a run, and played some 2B.

11-15: MIXED GOODIES BAG

11. Samuel Zavala (OF)
12. Jacob Gonzalez (SS)
13. Tanner McDougal (RHP)
14. Grant Taylor (RHP)
15. Jonathan Cannon (RHP)

Samuel Zavala is new to the White Sox system following the Dylan Cease trade. He has big time power for his 6’1″ narrow frame (initially 160lbs.), but he has added some muscle in the off season. He has a big leg kick that may lead to timing issues and a hole up top that could prove to be an issue at higher levels against big velo. He has great zone awareness for a 19 year old keeping his OBP high, but will get rung up on close pitches. He has been slotted in CF thus far in his career, so I imagine he ends up in Winston-Salem doing just that on opening day.

Samuel Zavala open side swing.

A lot of people were not high on the White Sox selection of Jacob Gonzalez in the first round of the 2023 draft. I was not in either camp, and decided to let my eyes make the decision when I could finally get eyes on him. His speed is noted as being a major issue in an assessment of his tools by many major outlets. On the bases he doesn’t necessarily clog the bases, but in the field his instincts take over and allow him to make a lot of plays despite the mobility questions.

My main concern with Gonzalez is the lack of bat to ball and transferrence of his power due to his swing mechanics shown in the fall. That said, he made major changes to his swing profile in the off season and looks like a different player by all accounts. I am hoping that is the case. Ultimately, the major amount of question marks and the perceived high floor/low ceiling has me lower on him than most. I hope I eat crow.

Tanner McDougal was drafted by the White Sox in 2020, but after a few starts in the ACL he was slated for Tommy John surgery. Pre TJ his insane spin rates on his curve ball and big ride on his fastball earned him the rather silly term: “analytics darling”. Post TJ his big time spin rates on his gruesome curve ball still proved to be his calling card. He paired it with his riding upper mid-90’s fastball and a good change up. I could see a big jump for him on this list if he does what he’s capable of in the first half of 2024.

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The White Sox took a chance in the 2nd round on a guy who had TJ. This strategy has become a meme at this point, but Grant Taylor from LSU could be a monster. He induced lots of gawking when he was on the Cape pre TJ. He has insane spin rates and lots of carry. Very familiar indeed. It was said by scouts that he had far and away the closest stuff on the LSU Tigers to his teammate, and #1 overall draft pick, Paul Skenes. Patience is a virtue, but I can’t wait to see what he brings.

Jonathan Cannon is a giant man at 6’6″ and 225. With a frame like that, you may think he would be an overpowering menace beating his opponents into submission. Instead his command and pitch-ability is elite. He has been known to have as many as 9 pitches in his arsenal, but he has said he has paired it down to 4 pitches he wants to concentrate on. Just keep getting outs and doing what you do Jonathan. We could see him in 2024 in a mid rotation spot for the White Sox.

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16-20: RISING AND GRINDING

16. George Wolkow (OF)
17. Dominic Fletcher (OF)
18. Jacob Burke (OF)
19. Ky Bush (LHP)
20. Seth Keener (RHP)

Just by looking at him on the street, you would probably ask him if he hoops. If he said he was a Power Forward, you wouldn’t be surprised. Coming in at a built 6’7″, George Wolkow is not your prototypical outfielder. If you have seen the pretty swing and big power, you get why the White Sox jumped in and drafted him. With his sneaky speed and cannon of an arm, there is a ton of upside to dream on. He wants to be in the big leagues so bad that he reclassified his high school draft year to get a jump on his baseball life. You love to hear it.

Big Men. Credit: Dan Victor/FutureSox

I have been watching Dom Fletcher since he was drafted and assigned by the Diamondbacks to their now defunct Low A affiliate Kane County Cougars. What he doesn’t have in stature he makes up for with a gamer mentality and hustle. He works hard, plays defense, and has surprising pop. Fletcher is a team first glue guy that put up a very nice debut for the D-Backs down the stretch in 2023, and I would expect him to do that for the White Sox in 2024.

Are you looking for a guy who plays 100mph AND has tools? Jacob Burke is that guy. He made SportsCenter’s Top 10 right out of the gate upon arriving in Kannapolis with a diving catch in center field. Since then he has put up a bunch of highlight reel catches including the one below with the White Sox against the Mariners last week.

Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned his 52 game on-base streak to start the 2023 season, albeit a bit late due to injury. I feel that he has been unfairly dinged for a lack of power. He admitted that he was concentrating on his on-base streak and it effected his power output. He put up some great power numbers in the AFL against upper level competition.

The trade deadline deal of Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez for Edgar Quero and Ky Bush was a massive overpay by the Angels. Ky Bush, the forgotten guy in the deal has middle to backend of the rotation potential. The stuff is good, but the command has to be better than his initial jaunt in Birmingham to land in the White Sox rotation.

We only got a glimpse of Seth Keener late last season in Kanny. He allowed some traffic on the bases. A majority of his success came in relief at Wake, but the White Sox think he can start. If they’re right, and he can harness what he’s best at, he could be a back of the rotation guy. We’ll see.

21-25: OF’ERS & ARMS

21. Terrell Tatum (OF)
22. Wilfred Veras (OF)
23. Zach DeLoach (OF)
24. Jordan Leasure (RHP)
25. Prelander Berroa (RHP)

I have made no secret of my love for Terrell Tatum’s skill set. When penciled in the lineup he has provided elite OBP, walking 100 times in ’23 across his stints with the Dash and Barons. He took advantage of his .397 OBP stealing 47 bases. His glove is a plus and his speed definitely plays in center field. The question mark surrounding Tatum is whether the bat to ball can catch up. He struck out 149 times in 552 AB’s. There is power in the bat. I would like to see him put up an .825+ OBP in Birmingham in ’24 to get a look in September with the White Sox.

Credit: Dan Victor/FutureSox

Wilfred Veras is a bat first prospect. His massive torque puts a charge into the ball. Last year the White Sox moved him to the outfield. He progressively seemed more comfortable out there and even flashed a pretty good arm getting some nice assists. The bat is where it’s at though. 58 extra base hits across 2 levels. His SLG jumped by .100 points in Birmingham across his first 150+ AB’s in AA. If he can cut down on the strikeouts he could be a monster.

Zach DeLoach comes to the White Sox from the Mariners org in the Gregory Santos trade. He has a good power bat and an advanced eye that leads to a ton of BB’s. The issue with DeLoach is he K’s more than he should with his advanced zone recognition. He plays a solid outfield and has an average arm. If he can reign in the strike outs, he could be a guy. Don’t be surprised if he puts 35 out in Charlotte in 2024.

I generally tend to rank relievers lower just because they are on the field the least. That said, Jordan Leasure is a monster and could possibly be a shutdown closer for the White Sox at some point. His dominant fastball and slider got him to AAA, but his newly crafted curve ball has given him a great pitch against left handed hitters that will likely allow him to move to the 35th and Shields bullpen early in ’24. Regardless of when he makes it up, it will be in a high leverage role.

Prelander Berroa was the main return in the Gregory Santos trade. Stuff upon stuff, but the big bugaboo is his command. If he can control his power slider and elite fastball he could be a great compliment to Leasure in the White Sox bullpen for years to come.

26-30: I’M PULLING FOR YOU

26. Javier Mogollon (2B)
27. Mason Adams (RHP)
28. Sean Burke (RHP)
29. Ryan Burrowes (SS)
30. Abraham Nunez (OF)

I have 3 recent White Sox international signings in the last 5. I don’t generally rank guys that I haven’t seen very high. When I talked to Andy Barkett last year, the two names he gave me as guys to really keep an eye on were: Javier Mogollon (Mo-go-yone) and Abraham Nunez. He said they were both special hitters. Well, Andy was right. Both of them put up big numbers in the DSL. Mogollon has a smaller frame, but ++ bat speed and exceptional barrel control generate a lot of pop. He had a 1:1 K:BB rate and a .999 OPS. My guesstimate of a White Sox debut would be 2027.

Mason Adams is one of my guys. All of us have a few guys that we just believe in. I had him at 24 until the recent Cease trade. I should probably move him above some of the other guys on this list, because I think this guy just has it. His velo doesn’t stand out, averaging around 92-93 with his fastball, but the command is fantastic. He has late break on his slider and he can pinpoint it where he wants it. Adams does not walk batters. In 2023 from Kannapolis to Birmingham he struck out 125 while walking only 29.

A stat that I absolutely love when looking at pitchers vs. throwers is Ground Out Vs. Air Out. Mason’s GO/AO improved with each level last year, ending with a 2.38 in B-Ham. That is almost 2.5 grounders to fly balls. If you put a defense behind this guy, he is capable of long strings of scoreless innings. He could possibly make some spot starts for the White Sox in 2024.

Credit: Dan Victor/FutureSox

Sean Burke has fallen quite a bit just due to a lack of the best ability: availability. He made just 9 starts in 2023 for Charlotte. Burke is a fly ball pitcher. Fly ball pitchers in Charlotte can have a rough go of it if they don’t miss enough of the barrel. They have an even worse time when their WHIP is in the 1.7’s due to a 1:1 K:BB rate. Now to be fair to Burke, there were health concerns last year, and the Sox moved him quickly through the system, reaching Charlotte in his first full year of minor league ball in 2022.

Neither stint has gone particularly well there, but hopefully with health comes improved numbers. Even if he continues to have issues with the Knights, that doesn’t mean he can’t be productive with the White Sox.

Ryan Burrowes is the one guy that I’m letting the national consensus drive the ranking. Most outlets have him rated higher. He is said to be a great glove at SS with a loud bat. His stint in the ACL last year did not inspire confidence in the bat. Our Triple A Jeff talked to Burrowes when he was placed on the developmental list and sent to Kanny. He asked him what people could look forward to seeing when he is in the lineup? He said “I’m electric.” Let’s hope so, Ryan. If he can put it together, I would slate him for a 2027 arrival date on the SouthSide.

Abraham Nunez is a bat to ball guy as of right now, but he has room to put some muscle on his frame. He walked 33 times vs. 22 whiffs. His OBP and SLG were almost even to equal up to a .869 OPS. He is regarded as a good OF’er with very good speed, but needs to work on his base running technique.

The three guys that got bumped from my list with the Cease trade additions are:

  1. Recently signed international prospect, 3B Eduardo Herrera
  2. Last year’s South Atlantic League batting average and OBP champion, Michael Turner
  3. Super utility monster Brooks Baldwin