By now we’ve all had time to properly process our feelings regarding Michael Kopech’s impending call-up from Charlotte (if not, read this), and although I’m exhilarated to see the young fire-baller Tuesday, all the promotion has done is left me asking, “Why not Eloy?”
To reminisce on the noted checking the boxes quote, yes, Kopech hasn’t walked a batter in August, all while lowering his ERA 0.35 points and continuing to strikeout batters in bunches. That said, Charlotte OF Eloy Jiménez has been simply sensational.
Yes, Jiménez has hit a bit of a slump of late. In his last ten, he’s only batting .244 with two home runs, but for the season, Eloy still touts a .307/.356/.611 slash line. In Charlotte, Jiménez has been even better than he was in Birmingham. With the Barons in 205 at bats, Jiménez had a .317/.368/.556 slash and with the Knights, he’s upped that to .338/.362/.611. Jiménez has proven he has nothing left to learn in AAA, and while I’ll be excited to see Kopech take the mound, I’d be much more excited to see Eloy in the South Side of Chicago.
They never exactly said the worst part of the rebuild would be the waiting, but with 2018 a lost cause and 2019 looking cloudy with a chance for rain, there will be much more waiting that must be done.
With that, here’s what you need to know this week.
Prospect performance highlights
- Charlotte 2B Eddy Alvarez went 2-3 with a homerun and a walk Aug. 13. He also had a single strikeout.
- Charlotte RHP Zack Burdi is back to dominating. Aug. 13 he went an inning, striking out three batters.
- Great Falls SS Travis Moniot went 3-3 with a double, a triple and two walks Aug. 13.
- Birmingham LHP Tanner Banks threw five shutout innings Aug. 14. He gave up five hits and three walks, while striking out two.
- Charlotte OF Trayce Thompson went 3-4 with a double Aug. 16.
- AZL White Sox C Ty Greene went 3-4 with two doubles Aug. 16.
- Charlotte SS Jose Rondon went 3-4 with a double and a home run Aug. 16. That same game Michael Kopech went six innings. He gave up a run and seven hits, but struck out nine and walked nobody.
- Charlotte RHP Spencer Adams threw six one-run innings Aug. 17. He gave up three hits and walked three, but also struck out three.
- Birmingham OF Joel Booker went 4-5 with a double and a strikeout Aug. 17.
- Winston-Salem 3B Zach Remilard went 3-3 with a double and a longball Aug. 19.
Injuries
- Charlotte placed C Brett Austin on the 7-day disabled list Aug. 18 (effectively reserve list)
- Birmingham placed RHP Jake Johansen on the 7-day disabled list Aug. 18.
- Winston-Salem placed RHP Blake Battenfield on the 7-day disabled list Aug. 15
Transactions
Activated
- Winston-Salem activated RHP Connor Walsh Aug. 15
- Kannapolis activated RHP Aron McRee Aug. 18
Assigned
- The White Sox sent C Welington Castillo on a rehab assignment to Charlotte on Aug. 17
- Kannapolis RHP Jhoan Quijada was promoted two levels, to Birmingham
Optioned
- The White Sox optioned OF Ryan LaMarre to Charlotte
Team Performances
- Charlotte posted a 2-5 week (56-67 overall, 13 games back). With the Knights nearing elimination, I’m going to continue to use this column to remind you of Eloy Jiménez slash line until he gets promoted or the season ends. Jimenez is batting .338/.362/.611 in AAA.
- Birmingham went 3-3 for the week (27-29 overall 2nd half, 4.5 games back). It was too good to be true. While Birmingham started the second half on a tear, the team is a shell of its former self. The Montgomery Biscuits are standing strong in first place, and Birmingham will be eliminated in 10 games.
- Winston-Salem had a 4-3 week (34-19 overall 2nd half, 1st place). ┏(･o･)┛♪┗ (･o･) ┓. Is there a better team in our system than the Dash? I’ll sit and wait. Go ahead and look. Glad you’re back. At 75-49 the Dash have been phenomenal, having already clinched a playoff berth with a first half division crown. Is there a more deeply talented team in all of MiLB? The waiting in Chicago isn’t as bad, when you can look in on Winston-Salem and see the fireworks.
- Kannapolis compiled a 3-2 week (26-27 overall 2nd half, 10 games back). The weather continues to be the Intimidator’s biggest enemy. After another pair of rainouts, the Intimidators will finish a game that’s suspended tomorrow before playing a double header immediately after. The Intimidators play four against Greensboro before playing five against Augusta. Due to the oddities of the South Atlantic League playoff procedures, Kannapolis is currently in place to grab the Wild Card and go to the playoffs.
- Great Falls had a 2-5 week (5-15 overall 2nd half, 10 games back). The slump that never ends continues. Great falls is playing pitiful baseball right now. Despite winning the first half championship, the Voyagers are taking a beating. The playoffs are less than a month away.
- AZL White Sox enjoyed a 5-2 week. (14-8 overall, 1st place). If they keep this up, the AZL squad could give the Sox four playoff teams in the minors (five if Birmingham pulls off a miracle).
- DSL White Sox posted a 3-3 week (18-48, 26 games back).
News and Links
- Our own Julie Brady wrote a heckofa column, as her last weekly column of 2018. She took a look at the most exciting team in the minors, the Winston-Salem Dash. As for Julie, expect her around FutureSox occasionally and in Winston-Salem consistently.
- After a brief hiatus, Rob Young updated the White Sox Prospect Hot List. Read all about who’s been hot.
- The writers behind the our midseason rankings compiled another post on who they’re highest on, and who they don’t like as much. Take a look.
- The Athletic’s James Fegan continues to show us all why he is Superman. Read his profiles on Winston-Salem SS Laz Rivera and Charlotte RHP Spencer Adams.
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