Welcome to Rankings Week, midseason 2020! Twice a year, we rank the top prospects in the White Sox system. With the trade deadline behind us, the schedule of events looks like this:
- Tuesday: Just missed (Individual lists for Patreon subscribers!)
- Wednesday: Prospects ranked 16-30 (Full list for Patreon subscribers!)
- Thursday: The full list, with 1-15 capsules (Individual lists for Patreon subscribers!)
- Friday: Writers’ roundtable discussion of the rankings (Individual lists for Patreon subscribers!)
- Saturday: Mailbag questions (Individual lists for Patreon subscribers!)
The White Sox farm system is very top heavy and packed with elite prospects. It’s still one of the better farm systems in the sport despite some depth issues. Overall, it is in a much better place than when the rebuilding process broke ground in 2016. Since our last list in March, only two prospects have “graduated” (Zack Collins and Danny Mendick) and Luis Alexander Basabe was claimed off waivers. Additionally, some more information has been gathered about recent international signings and draftees.
That brings us to this list: 26 players who did not make the top 30 this cycle, but who our writers discussed and considered in some fashion. The depth of talent on the farm means that even these players (and maybe more) are legitimate prospects. Check out our last version of this “just missed” group from February. These are prospects on the edge of the radar and history suggests that some will contribute value down the line in some form.
Note: Players are listed in alphabetical order
Jason Bilous RHP
The hard-throwing right-hander was a 13th round selection out of Coastal Carolina in the 2018 draft. The 23-year-old posted a 3.70 ERA while averaging 9.72 K/9 and 5.25 BB/9 in 104 innings with Low-A Kannapolis in 2019. Bilous’ command struggles are as apparent as ever, but the stuff is still quite stellar. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder throws a 60-grade fastball that sits in the 94-96 mph range with a 55-grade hard slider as well. Bilous has started his own wood working company in his spare time and shares his workouts with White Sox coaches on weekly Zoom calls.
Bilous has significant reliever risk mostly due to poor command, but he also possesses a long arm action that often leaves him out of sync with his release point. The White Sox paid him an over-slot bonus. They will continue to develop him as a starting pitcher for the time being. Bilous reached 99 mph in shorter stints in the Cape Cod League and has the stuff to pitch in a high-leverage relief role if he can get the command in check. He’s been working on his own during the shutdown. He likely heads to High-A in 2021.
This 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder was signed out of the Dominican Republic in the White Sox’s 2016 international class. His lengthy, projectable frame led the organization to spend $425,000 to get him in the fold. Like most players signed in the international market, Comas began his career in the Dominican Summer League and showed future power potential. He played stateside for the first time in 2018 and hit .306 in the AZL. Baseball America still believes in the potential as he’s listed as the No. 23 prospect in the system in their most recent update.
Comas is loaded with projection, but hasn’t gained the requisite strength necessary to this point. The left-handed hitter possesses a great frame, above average raw power mostly displayed in batting practice and above average speed and defensive skills. Comas shows below average exit velocity numbers and swing changes will be needed for him to lock into more power. Comas was expected to begin the 2020 season with Low-A Kannapolis, but a repeat of Great Falls where he slashed just .222/.251/.351 with 15 extra base hits wasn’t out of the question. The 20-year-old is likely to head to Low-A next year.
Delgado was promoted to Great Falls in 2019 where he was likely to repeat again in 2020. The infielder hit .274/.325/.377 with two homers while striking out at a 37.5% clip. He rebounded to post an 88 wRC+ after struggling for a big portion of the Pioneer League season. The 21-year-old signed with the White Sox for $525,000 after beings selected out of a Miami area high school in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder possesses great athleticism and a strong throwing arm making him capable of playing at third base in addition to shortstop.
The premium raw power that was touted as an amateur hasn’t shown up consistently in affiliated ball as a professional. Strength and approach changes may be needed to reach the promise he once showed. With a high likelihood of no short season advanced rookie affiliate in 2021, Delgado may need to report Low-A next season. He’s been working out on his own under a plan given the White Sox player development staff.
Caleb Freeman RHP
The White Sox used their 15th round pick in the 2019 draft on Freeman. He was a starting pitcher at Texas Tech and signed for an over-slot bonus. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder had a poor season statistically for the Red Raiders, but then-scouting director Nick Hostetler offered effusive praise for the selection after the fact. Hostetler noted Freeman’s success in the Cape Cod League when he saw him display a 90-96 mph fastball with a power breaking ball out of the bullpen with command and control.
In rookie level Arizona he posted a 0.00 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Freeman then posted a 2.63 ERA while averaging 13.83 K/9 over 13.2 innings with Great Falls. Caleb finished his season with 4.1 innings in Low-A Kannapolis and likely was expecting to start the 2020 season there as well. In 2021, the 22-year-old could move quickly in a bullpen role and potentially reach Double-A.
Logan Glass OF
Selected in the 22nd round in the 2019 draft, Glass signed for an over-slot bonus of $170,000. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound outfielder played in 17 games for the AZL White Sox that summer. The 19-year-old hit .284/.342/.404 with five doubles and a home run in Arizona. Glass was noticeably bigger according to evaluators in spring training and he was slated for Great Falls this season. Glass can play center field currently, but could have enough bat for a corner in the future.
While at Mustang High School in Oklahoma, Prep Baseball Report tracked him extensively. Glass possesses a right-handed swing with solid bat speed and an all fields approach. Logan shows an aptitude for growth as well and already shows opposite field power. PBR states that he had an “advanced frame with strength and long legs with quick twitch actions.” At the plate, Glass employs a narrow, open and upright stance while using a moderate leg kick and load before pulling his hands through the zone.
Glass has been working out on his own and the White Sox track his progress using a customized Motus sleeve. He likely repeats rookie ball in 2021.
Ronaldo Guzman LHP
Guzman has been on the radar since Baseball America’s Ben Badler called him an intriguing sleeper prospect last year. The 17-year-old lefty posted a 4.53 ERA with a 3.19 FIP in the Dominican Summer League last season. He was really young for the level and struck out 76 batters over 51.2 innings. The southpaw was the best pitching prospect on the DSL White Sox roster with a fastball that touches 90 mph with easy arm action. Guzman employs an athletic repeatable delivery and his calling card is an advanced changeup. He was signed for $75,000 out of the Dominican Republic and he could’ve made his stateside debut in 2020.
Guzman is working on his own in the Dominican Republic, likely with some instruction from the organization. He could debut stateside in 2021.
Ian Hamilton RHP
If 2019 went according to plan, Hamilton would have already surpassed the MLB innings threshold to prevent him from being on this list. After getting eight MLB innings late in 2018, Hamilton appeared ready to take his place in the White Sox bullpen. Instead, a car accident in spring training derailed his ramp up to the 2019 season. When he was on the mound, he wasn’t quite right. Despite racking up 20 strikeouts against three walks, Hamilton had a 9.92 ERA in 16.1 innings. Then he got hit with a foul ball while watching from the dugout. The result was a broken face that cost him the rest of the season. Two injuries that weren’t arm injuries nor game-related decimated Hamilton’s 2019.
The Washington State product and former 11th rounder was healthy to start the 2020 season and even threw four innings out of the White Sox bullpen. He posted a 4.50 ERA, but his fastball velocity was down a couple of ticks and his slider wasn’t as sharp as we’re accustomed to seeing. Hamilton was the No. 21 prospect on our preseason list but falls off this version. With the decrease in stuff and another stint on the injured list, high-leverage innings look to be off the radar at this point.
Alec Hansen RHP
Hansen ranked 24th on our midseason list in 2019, but has since fallen off. A second-round pick from 2016 who showed so much promise early on, but has struggled of late. The 6-foot-7 righty from Oklahoma led the minor leagues in strikeouts in 2017 after punching out 191 hitters over the course of 141.1 innings. Hansen received some prospect love and even landed on some top 100 lists, but 2018 was an absolute disaster. His stuff deteriorated, command waned further and injuries compiled.
He was moved to the bullpen full-time in 2019 and the 25-year-old averaged almost 15 K/9 in 13 innings with Winston-Salem to start 2019. In 39.2 innings in Birmingham though, Hansen posted a 5.45 ERA while averaging 10.21 K/9 and 8.39 BB/9. Hansen still possesses big league stuff with a 60-grade fastball and curveball. He was left unprotected from the Rule 5 draft this past December, but remains in the organization. Hansen was expected to return to Double-A Birmingham this season. He’s working out on his own and he’ll remain Rule 5 eligible this December.
Bailey Horn LHP
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound southpaw was a fifth round pick in the 2020 draft. Horn was Auburn’s Friday night starter this spring and posted a 3-1 record with a 2.08 ERA. The lefty punched out 27 hitters in 17.1 innings. Horn battled arm injuries, but appears to be healthy and ready to go. The southpaw could profile as a backend starter or even a reliever. Bailey throws a high-spin fastball in the 92-94 mph range and has touched 95. He employs a loose and easy delivery and is an athletic, physical strike thrower. Horn also shows a quality slider with angle at 81-82 mph.
The White Sox liked his “SEC pedigree and competitive edge.” Director of scouting Mike Shirley called Horn a “big power arm with a great fastball-breaking ball mix.” He should pitch in A ball in 2021.
Will Kincanon RHP
The 24-year-old right-hander was selected in the 11th round of the 2017 draft out of Indiana State and signed for $150K. He attended suburban Riverside-Brookfield High School and was a top 200 draft prospect according to MLB Pipeline in advance of his draft year. Kincanon induces lots of soft contact and has a solid ground ball rate. The righty has been very solid in his three minor league seasons. In 58 innings in the Carolina League in 2019, Kincanon sported a 1.86 ERA with a 2.98 xFIP. He averaged 11.02 K/9, but walked 4.03. He was stellar in high leverage roles. Will projects as a middle reliever in the big leagues.
He was expected to return to Double-A to pitch for the Barons this season. Kincanon is Rule 5 eligible this December. He has been working out on his own and partakes in weekly Zoom calls with members of the White Sox player development staff.
The White Sox selected Krogman in the 34th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder signed for $190,000 and was a late addition to the Arizona League affiliate last season. The 19-year-old can play center field, but could have enough bat to profile in an outfield corner. He hits left-handed and we profiled him earlier this season.
Krogman was expected to challenge for a spot in Low-A despite the crowded outfield mix. Chase played in the CarShield Collegiate League this summer and has been getting live plate appearances from pitchers in the St. Louis area. Krogman is in constant contact with the White Sox and told FutureSox he’s been happy with his strength gains during this time off.
Laureano is a 6-feet, 180-pound outfielder who was signed out of the Dominican Republic in February 2018. The 19-year-old was expected to come stateside and play in games for the Arizona League affiliate this year. Johnabiell posted a .591 OPS in his first professional season in the DSL in 2018. He really broke out in 2019 though. He posted a .357/.437/.543 triple slash with a 167 wRC+ over 59 games. Laureano showed some power potential with six homers and he struck out 43 times with 28 walks. He should be able to stay in center field. He should be part of the outfield mix in rookie ball going forward and is a name to watch.
Kade McClure RHP
McClure only averaged just over 6 K/9 in 2019 pitching with the Winston-Salem Dash, but he dramatically decreased his walk rate as well. The 6-foot-7 righty posted a 3.39 ERA over the course of 66.1 innings after starting the year in Kannapolis. The 24-year-old was selected in the sixth round of the 2017 draft out of Louisville. McClure sits 90-94 mph with his fastball and gets good arm extension. He also shows an average slider and changeup. McClure induces a plethora of ground balls when he pitches and he profiles as a back end starter in the big leagues.
The Ohio native was slated to pitch at Double-A Birmingham this season. He has a workout plan from the White Sox and has worked on his own. He’ll be Rule 5 eligible in December.
Kodi Medeiros LHP
In July of 2018, the White Sox acquired Medeiros from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for veteran reliever Joakim Soria. The lefty was taken 12th overall in the 2014 draft, coming out of a Hawaii high school. Command and control have always eluded Kodi. The 24-year-old posted a 7.75 ERA over nine starts with Birmingham in 2019. Over those 40.2 innings, the southpaw walked 26 hitters. The White Sox then moved the Hawaiian to a relief role for the Barons. In 19 relief outings, he posted a 2.57 ERA over 42 innings. He limited his hit total, but still averaged 5.3 BB/9. Medeiros shows a mid 90s fastball with a sweeping slider and a below average changeup.
Medeiros was designated for assignment this offseason, but returned to the White Sox organization. He was likely to return to Birmingham to start 2020. Medeiros was recently added to the alternate site roster in Schaumburg to add left-handed depth for the White Sox.
Cristian Mena RHP
Ben Badler provided a glowing review for 16-year-old righty. He praised the pitcher on the FutureSox podcast as well. Mena was the best pitcher signed in the White Sox 2019 class for $250,000 out of the Dominican Republic. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder possesses starter traits with an athletic, projectable body. He has a relatively easy delivery and feel for three pitches. Badler called Mena a “solid strike thrower” with a fastball that can already reach 91 mph. He pairs the heater with a power breaking ball that elicits very high spin rates and almost morphs into a slider at times. The heavy rotation on the curveball makes it a future out pitch. Mena also the feel for an average changeup. He likely returns to the Dominican Summer League, but he’s a name to watch going forward.
The 27-year-old had a breakout season in 2019. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound slugger hit .327/.389/.497 with a 157 wRC+ and six homers in 42 games with the Birmingham Barons. Mercedes then went to Charlotte and the numbers were absolutely bonkers. In 53 games, Yermin hit .310/.386/.647 with a 150 wRC+ and .418 wOBA. The super baseball used in the International League could have been a contributing factor, but 17 homers with an ISO of .337 is staggering nonetheless. Mercedes also walked at an 11% clip as well.
He was acquired in the minor league phase of the 2017 Rule 5 Draft. In addition to catcher, he played some first and third base for the Knights as well. Mercedes is regarded as a poor defender at every position, but was added to the 40-man roster in advance of this past December’s Rule 5 Draft anyway. Rick Hahn has suggested that his defense is farther along than some outsiders think, but actions will speak louder than words in that regard. Mercedes was in big league camp and has spent the season with the alternate site roster in Schaumburg. He made his big league debut and travels on the taxi squad regularly for road games.
Luis Mieses OF
Mieses is another member of the 2016 international signing class for the White Sox. The 20-year-old was signed out of the Dominican Republic because of his projectable frame and short, compact left-handed swing. Mieses has offensive upside with strong hands and wrists, but the tools have yet to translate.
Mieses slots into a corner outfield spot. He really struggled with the Great Falls Voyagers in 2019. The lanky outfielder hit just .241/.264/.359 but did hit four homers. Baseball America still believes in the potential as they have him ranked as the No. 20 prospect in the system. The organization was debating whether to send Mieses back to rookie ball or promote him to Low-A Kannapolis for the 2020 season. It would’ve been a significant development year for the outfielder as he competes with a very crowded organizational outfield picture.
McKinley Moore RHP
McKinley Moore throws very hard and racked up 32 strikeouts in 22 innings in rookie ball to close out 2019. The 22-year-old fireballer was a 14th round pick last year out of Arkansas-Little Rock. Moore is a 6-foot-6, 225-pounder who was a multi-sport athlete in high school. After signing, Moore posted a 4.11 FIP in the Arizona League in 19.1 innings while averaging 12.57 K/9 and 7.9 BB/9. He rebounded after a rough start and closed out the season with Great Falls. Moore posted a 0.00 ERA over three innings.
He was likely to start the 2020 season with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in Low-A. Moore could move quickly in a relief role. Moore has been in contact with White Sox coaches and he told FutureSox that he’s working hard to stay ready for action.
Zach Remillard INF
Remillard was a 10th round selection by the White Sox out of Coastal Carolina back in 2016. The senior sign has worked his way through the system. Now he’s being used in a utility role at the alternate site camp in Schaumburg. His exit velocity numbers are improved and he has up and down utility player upside. The 26-year-old posted a 117 wRC+ in High-A in 2019, but struggled during his audition in Birmingham. He is 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds and can play all over the infield. He should fill a starting infield role in the high minors in 2021.
Lenyn Sosa SS
Sosa did not have a productive offensive season in 2019, but he was just 19 in Low-A Kannapolis. He hit .251/.292/.371 in 122 games. The power potential is respectable for a middle infielder and his strikeout rate was solid (19%), although he didn’t walk much. The Venezuelan hasn’t really had a standout season with the bat, but has been aggressively pushed so far. It would have been interesting to see where the White Sox sent him in 2020. Indications were that the club was going to be aggressive and send the shortstop to Winston-Salem to play with the Dash in High-A. Sosa was on our list in the last go around, but falls off this iteration. He was a member of their star studded 2016 international class and he’s working out on his own with instructions from the organization.
Bennett Sousa LHP
The White Sox clearly like Sousa because he’s with the alternate site group after pitching in the Arizona Fall League in 2019. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound lefty was a 10th round senior sign out of Virginia back in 2018. Bennett was the closer in college and he’s put up decent numbers against lefties during his minor league career. The 25-year-old made it to Double-A Birmingham in 2019 and he was slated to begin the 2020 campaign there as well. The southpaw posted a 2.70 ERA in Winston-Salem in 2019 with 32 strikeouts and just five walks in 30 innings pitched. He’s currently getting plenty of work in Schaumburg and should factor into the organization’s relief plans in the high minors next year.
Elijah Tatis SS
The 18-year-old infielder was signed for $400,000 during the most recent international signing period. The Dominican played in 25 games in the Dominican Summer League and struggled in 90 plate appearances. He did show an astute 14.4% walk rate which could be promising. Ben Badler of Baseball America called his arm “strong and accurate” and scouts have noted that the ball really “jumps off his bat.” There is a report in the publication’s international review that highlights the 5-foot-11, 160-pound infielder. Tatis possesses good hands, footwork and field awareness and should be able to stay at shortstop. Elijah has average speed and a slightly above average arm. At the dish, he shows a simple, repeatable right handed swing with a solid eye for the strike zone. Tatis needs to gain strength, but that overhaul is said to be well underway. He could debut in Arizona in 2021.
After the 2019 draft, Nick Hostetler told FutureSox that Torres “can really flat out catch and throw.” Hostetler stated that his defensive skills are, “elite and plus across the board.” The catcher was drafted in the 11th round out of Puerto Rico and signed for an over-slot bonus of $175,000K Torres is ranked 25th in the system according to Baseball America and their snippet lauds his “advanced ability to handle a pitching staff and call his own games as a 20-year-old.” Torres mostly controls the running game and threw out 30% of base stealers in the AZL. The young backstop struggles with framing and blocking at times and passed balls were an issue in games. He also must add strength to his frame. Torres really struggled offensively in 26 games in rookie ball and was slated to repeat the level in 2020.
Taylor Varnell LHP
Varnell was selected in the 29th round of the 2018 draft out of Oral Roberts and immediately had success in the White Sox system. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound southpaw projects as a back end starter or possible middle relief arm, but should stay in the rotation for now. In 2019, he posted a 3.23 ERA with a 3.12 FIP in 106 innings in Low-A Kannapolis.
Varnell averaged over nine K/9 and earned himself a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem to close out the year. He posted a 3.38 ERA in 21.1 innings with the Dash, but his walk rate did increase in the Carolina League. The 24-year-old was likely headed back to Winston-Salem to start the 2020 season.
Weaver was drafted in the seventh round in 2018 out of South Gwinnett, Ga. He plays center field and bats and throws from the right side. After signing, Weaver posted a 112 wRC+ with a 10% walk rate and stellar defensive skills on display in the AZL. Last year in 62 games with Great Falls, the 20-year-old struggled with a line of .254/.317/.377 and alarming strikeout totals.
The young outfielder is very skinny with top scale speed and athleticism. He projects as a difference maker defensively and possesses lots of upside, but more time in short season rookie ball will likely be required. It’ll be curious to see where Weaver ends up next year after some affiliate shifting across the minors. Weaver has been working out on his own and coordinates with White Sox hitting coaches.
Zavala made his major league debut with the White Sox in 2019 and struggled in five games. The small sample wasn’t a big deal, but the struggles persisted in Triple-A with the Knights as well. The 27-year-old hit 20 homers and displayed above average power, but struck out at a 35% clip with a wRC+ of 89. The former 12th rounder was excellent in 2018 with the Birmingham Barons in Double-A.
He currently has a spot on the 40-man roster, but is seemingly on the bubble if the organization signs another player to a major league deal. He possesses power and is adept at calling games and projects as a backup catcher. Zavala was likely stationed for another season with the Knights in Triple-A. He’s been at the club’s alternate site in Schaumburg for the duration of the 2020 season. His exit velocity readings have impressed the organization, but his hit tool is tough to work in without live action.
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, if on a mobile device) and click the “Subscribe” button. 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 you can read about here. Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with the latest FutureSox apparel.
Definitely interested in the futures of Johnabiell Laureano, McKinley Moore, Logan Glass, and Elijah Tatis. Thanks for this update!
Pingback: Top White Sox prospect rankings midseason 2020, 16-30 - Futuresox
Pingback: Patreon: Individual Top 30 List - James Fox - Futuresox
Pingback: Top 30 White Sox prospect rankings midseason 2020 - Futuresox
Pingback: 2020 Midseason Rankings: TwitterBag Questions - Futuresox