It’s been just over 2 months since the draft and most of the top picks have been signed, and signed for a while, so I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how they were performing. Now it should be noted that sample sizes of this size are relatively meaningless, but it’s interesting to look at nonetheless. Top 10 rounds plus a selected other:
1 (13). Chris Sale, LHP:
High-A- 4 IP, 3 H, 11.8 BB%, 23.5 K%, 2.93 FIP (2.25 ERA)
Triple-A- 6.1 IP, 3 H, 15.4 BB%, 57.7 K%, 4.51 FIP (2.83 ERA)
MLB- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 28.6 BB%, 14.3 K%, 4.82 FIP (0.00 ERA)
The command hasn’t quite been there for Chris Sale but the plus stuff and velocity has been. With Hudson traded away Sale becomes my #1 White Sox prospect and he could play a key role out of the bullpen down the stretch.
2 (63). Jacob Petricka, RHP:
Rookie- 34.2 IP, 25 H, 5.1 BB%, 27.9 K%, 2.56 FIP (2.86 ERA)
Low-A- 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0.0 BB%, 37.5 K%, 0.09 FIP (0.00 ERA)
Jacob Petricka has shown all the major skills needed to be a top pitching prospect while dominating rookie ball hitters. He’s racked up the strikeouts, limited the walks, got a lot of ground balls with a 61 GB% and has dialed the fastball up to 99 mph.
3 (95). Addison Reed, RHP:
Rookie- 17 IP, 12 H, 3.0 BB%, 35.8 K%, 1.57 FIP (2.12 ERA)
The Sox have been limiting Reed’s innings but when he has taken the mound he’s shown impeccable control and a penchant for the strikeout. A low ground ball rate (40%) is the only knock on his performance thus far.
3s (114). Thomas Royse, RHP:
Rookie- 32.1 IP, 27 H, 4.5 BB%, 19.5 K%, 3.80 FIP (3.62 ERA)
Like Reed and Petricka, Thomas Royse has displayed excellent control, but unlike those two his strikeout rate is a little underwhelming. I still think he’s more of a long reliever than starter, but the early results have been pretty good.
5 (158). Andy Wilkins, 1B:
Rookie- 128 AB, .344/.424/.547, 20 BB/16 SO
As you might have expected, Andy Wilkins has destroyed Pioneer League pitching. He’s showing a complete offensive game by hitting for power, average and drawing walks, though his glove work is reportedly shaky.
6 (188). Rangel Ravelo, 3B:
Rookie- 125 AB, .240/.275/.296, 6 BB/21 SO
It’s been a tough start to life as a pro for Rangel Ravelo. Despite the low average Ravelo’s contact rate is pretty good, but his secondary skills need a lot of work.
7 (218). Tyler Saladino, SS:
Rookie- 48 AB, .292/.364/.417, 5 BB/12 SO
Low-A- 90 AB, .347/.427/.516, 12 BB/24 SO
The glove strong SS Tyler Saladino is proving more than capable at the plate. I was expecting good things from Saladino but his batting line at Kannapolis is very impressive. Ideally you’d like to see the strikeouts drop a little, but it’s tough to find a flaw here.
9 (278). Kevin Moran, RHP:
Rookie- 18 IP, 13 H, 8.5 BB%, 28.2 K%, 2.22 FIP (2.65 ERA)
Kevin Moran exhibited awful control during his time at Boston College, so his 8.5 BB% with Bristol is very encouraging. His raw stuff is very good and that is highlighted by the high strikeout rate. Moran is still a bit of a project, but I could see him developing into a solid middle relief option.
10 (308). Ross Wilson, 2B/SS:
Rookie- 169 AB, .314/.395/.414, 20 BB/30 SO
The scrappy middle infielder Ross Wilson is doing more or less what you would expect from him. He’s drawing walks, hitting for some doubles power and putting the ball into play at a decent rate. He could end up with a similar career to a Chris Getz type player, but don’t expect much more from him (if even that).
18 (548). Randall Thorpe, OF:
Rookie- 122 AB, .295/.418/.426, 25 BB/32 SO
The speedy outfielder Randall Thorpe has shown a real knack for drawing walks and his contact ability is better than expected. The power isn’t there for him yet, but there’s still plenty of time for it to develop.
Overall the early performances have been very encouraging. Rangel Ravelo is the only top pick who is not performing thus far, but considering that he’s a raw high school hitter, his struggles are hardly surprising. The top three pitchers have made very strong starts and Andy Wilkins brings some much needed power into the system, though I still think this draft class is lacking a couple more high upside prospects, particularly if Matthew Grimes doesn’t sign.