Top 30 White Sox prospect rankings preseason 2021

Spring training is gearing up, which means it’s time for prospect rankings here at FutureSox. Twice a year our writers work together to produce a ranked list of the top 30 White Sox prospects. We usually use a voting system among the staff, but we altered our process due to the canceled 2020 minor league season. This time a group of writers got together on a Zoom call and hashed it out until we had a top 30 we could stand by.

We release the list in two parts. We already released prospects ranked 16-30. This is the full list. We also have scouting reports on players who just missed the top 30.

ELIGIBILITY: We consider a prospect any player in the White Sox organization who has not yet achieved MLB rookie status. In 2020, there was a wrinkle with a few players graduating via days on an active MLB roster as opposed to playing time (Zack Collins, Codi Heuer and Matt Foster). Since our midseason list Heuer (16), Foster (26) and Luis Robert (1) graduated while Dane Dunning (7) was traded.

1. Andrew Vaughn, 1B (Previous: 2; +1)

• Drafted 1st Round (3rd overall) in 2019

No real surprise here. Vaughn is being talked about as the 2021 designated hitter for the White Sox. Clearly, the organization thinks the world of him. Sure, Vaughn has not played at a level higher than Winston-Salem, but from all reports, the former Golden Spikes Award winner is a dangerous hitter regardless of competition. It will be interesting to see if and how the White Sox decide to play it with him once the season gets under way. Vaughn is a top 25 prospect in the sport at most publications as a right/right first baseman. He likely makes his big league debut early in 2021.

2. Michael Kopech, RH SP (Previous: 3, +1)

• Drafted 1st Round Supplemental (33rd overall) in 2014 by Red Sox, acquired via trade Dec. 2016

Kopech remains on the list, although this could finally be the last time. After missing all of the 2019 season due to rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Kopech opted out of the 2020 season. The last time he pitched in a meaningful game was Sept. 5, 2018. However, he did throw one inning during last spring training where he flashed elite velocity still. He sat in the high 90s and reached triple digits multiple times during his lone inning of work. His elite arsenal and work ethic keep him as one of the highest upside pitching prospects in baseball. Kopech will play a role for the 2021 White Sox and could even begin the season in Chicago.

3. Garrett Crochet, LHP (Previous: 5, +2)

• Drafted 1st Round (11th overall) in 2020

From college to the big leagues in a matter of weeks: Crochet did it in 2020. After a limited workload with the Tennessee Volunteers and a first round selection by the White Sox, the lanky left-hander made his big league debut on Sept. 18 and did not look back. He looked so good that Rick Renteria gave him a crucial role in the third Wild Card Game against Oakland, a game Crochet had to leave with tightness in his throwing arm. During the offseason, Crochet rested his arm and came into Spring Training healthy, 15 pounds heavier and ready to go. The White Sox have him destined for the Chris Sale route. Crochet will be a part of the major league bullpen for the immediate future. The organization still sees Crochet as a starting pitcher long-term, however.

4. Nick Madrigal, 2B (Previous: 4)

• Drafted 1st Round (4th overall) in 2018

Madrigal is the fourth first-round draft pick in a row at the top of our Top 30 prospects, and the third drafted by the White Sox. The second baseman also made his debut in 2020, receiving a call-up on July 31. A bad head first slide landed him on the IL, and the injury required offseason shoulder surgery for the 23-year-old. Despite playing hurt for most his rookie season, Madrigal looked as advertised. He hit .340 with a .376 OBP, while playing solid defense. His baserunning looked surprisingly unpolished, but most of the mistakes can be attributed to youthful exuberance. Madrigal is the White Sox starting second baseman in 2021 and will not return on this list next time around.

5. Jared Kelley, RH SP (Previous: 6, +1)

• Drafted 2nd Round in 2020

Kelley fell to the White Sox in the second round, but he is a first-round talent. He has a mid 90s fastball and a plus changeup that give him two pitches that overwhelmed high school hitters. He has also shown advanced command for his age. From that perspective, Kelley could move relatively quickly in the minors, at least for a high schooler. The key with Kelley is improving his breaking ball and staying focused on his conditioning. Some scouts viewed his breaking ball as below average, but he has plenty of time to work on that. After spending some time in Schaumburg in 2020, he will get a taste of spring training this year. Expect Kelley to pitch in Low-A Kannapolis in 2021.

6. Jonathan Stiever, RH SP (Previous: 8, +2)

• Drafted 5th Round in 2018

Stiever’s breakout 2019 season was good enough to land him an invitation to the alternate site in Schaumburg in 2020. His performance there earned him his MLB debut in September despite not pitching above A ball. In his first start he demonstrated that his stuff can play against big league hitters. However, in his second start he gave up four home runs, showing he was still a work in progress. He throws his 60-grade fastball in the 91-96 mph range and it shows good downhill plane with run and sink. He also has an advanced feel for a 55-grade curveball that is of the spike variety. The righty also throws an average changeup that should help keep lefties honest at the dish. Stiever has a competitive mentality and has been described as a bulldog on the mound. He should remain in the starting rotation despite his smaller build in relation to typical starters.

7. Matthew Thompson, RH SP (Previous: 9, +2)

• Drafted 2nd Round in 2019

When drafted, the word on Thompson was that he showed a decrease in velocity late in his high school season, but the White Sox saw him often and loved the repertoire. So far, the White Sox are saying the velocity is back in the mid 90s, but he hasn’t had a chance to prove it. Thompson has only pitched in two professional innings. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound righty has an athletic and projectable frame. The 20-year-old also throws a slider, curveball and changeup. Thompson was eventually added to the Schaumburg site and is likely to start 2021 with Low-A Kannapolis. At fall instructs, Thompson drew rave reviews from scouts for some mechanical changes and has been called the best athlete in the system. 

8. Andrew Dalquist, RH SP (Previous: 10, +2)

• Drafted 3rd Round in 2019

Dalquist was drafted a round after Thompson out of Redondo Union High School in California. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder threw his fastball in the 91-93 mph range and touched 95. Reports from instructs indicate that he’s made significant strength gains however and now sits 94-95 mph with his heater. Extension in his delivery creates deception and he should add more velocity with increased strength. Dalquist throws his curveball in the mid 70s with depth and also employs a slider and changeup. He doesn’t have the upside of Kelley or Thomspon, fellow high school draft picks in recent years. Dalquist’s ceiling is a mid-rotation starter. After getting his feet wet at the alternate site in 2020, Dalquist is likely to get his first taste of full season ball with Kannapolis in 2021.

9. Yoelqui Cespedes, OF (NEW)

• Signed from Cuba in 2021

The Cuban was a high-profile signing for the White Sox this international period. The younger brother of big leaguer Yoenis Cespedes, Yoelqui possesses a shorter but athletic frame at 5-foot-9, 205 pounds. He bulked up working out with his brother while waiting to sign. He’s always shown good bat speed and a strong throwing arm. He’s considered to be a plus runner, solid defender and line drive hitter, but the physical ascension could change some of that profile. There are questions about his hit tool, but most of the scouting looks on him are from two years ago. The White Sox believe that Cespedes can play center field and that his power gains will be apparent in game action. He’s expected to begin the 2021 season at a stateside affiliate. 

10. Norge Vera, RH SP (NEW)

• Signed from Cuba in 2021

Vera was one of the top pitching prospects in the 2021 international class. He is the son of Norge Luis Vera, who was a standout pitcher for Cuba’s National Team and in the Serie Nacional during the league’s pristine times. The righty sat mostly 90-94 mph with his fastball at showcases and some scouts were mixed on his command and secondary offerings, but the hurler was making mechanical adjustments throughout and he was hitting 97 mph in recent workouts with the White Sox. A hard slider is the primary second offering with a developing changeup as well. Vera has a projectable body, steady arm action and a calm demeanor on the mound. Combine his pitching skills with a high baseball IQ and you’re looking at a prospect with top of the rotation potential. Similarly to Yoelqui Cespedes, Vera defected from Cuba while in New Jersey as a member of the Can-Am League. He hasn’t officially signed yet, but there are no indications that the deal is not still imminent.

11. Gavin Sheets, 1B (Previous: 15, +4)

• Drafted 2nd Round in 2017

Sheets kicks off a group of older prospects that are close to the majors. He’s the only one that showed positive signs back in 2019 with Double-A Birmingham, unlike Luis Gonzalez, Blake Rutherford, Micker Adolfo and current Giants outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe. The downside for Sheets was that he had the least defensive value of the group as a first baseman. Sheets has been working on playing the outfield. Scouts who witnessed instructs thought the outfield was a legitimate option for him and that enhances his profile significantly. That’s why he comes in first among that group. Sheets is trying to utilize his lower half more in his swing which has led to some of the best exit velocities in the organization. He wasn’t at the alternate site in 2020, which was a minor surprise, but he could be in line for a big year in Triple-A Charlotte.

12. Luis Gonzalez, OF (Previous: 12)

• Drafted 3rd Round in 2017

Gonzalez got to make his MLB debut this season, but is still down the depth chart a bit. His ability to play all three spots in the outfield is a big boost to his value. He’s got solid speed and draws a good amount of walks. Gonzalez doesn’t have much pop and his bat won’t allow him to play at a corner outfield spot as a regular most likely, but he can play a competent center field. He made his big league debut last August and didn’t contribute much to the 2021 White Sox. The organization has emphasized a toe tap in the outfielder’s swing that should allow him to show line drive, gap power. He likely profiles as an above average utility player with a plus arm who can play all three outfield spots. If he is to be more than a utility player in the majors, he will have to show improvement with his bat, likely in Triple-A Charlotte this year.

13. Blake Rutherford, OF (Previous: 13)

• Drafted 1st round (18th overall) in 2016 by Yankees, acquired via trade July 2017

Not much has changed for Rutherford, who remains in the same spot for the third straight list. After periods of struggles in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League in 2019, Rutherford entered spring camp with noticeably added muscle to his frame. Last spring in a small sample, he was hitting the ball hard and hitting the ball in the air consistently. His throwing arm likely pushes him to left field so the bat will be very important. Reports were similarly positive out of Schaumburg last year. The outfielder is learning to pull the ball with authority and the focus is getting the barrel on the bat plane quickly and meeting the ball in the zone. He hasn’t shown power in games yet, which will be necessary to make Rutherford a big leaguer. He could take advantage of favorable hitting conditions in Triple-A Charlotte this year.

14. Micker Adolfo, OF (Previous: 11, -3)

• Signed from Dominican Republic in 2013

Adolfo’s power is enough to keep him on the radar, but there are questions just about everywhere else with his game. He has struggled to stay healthy, which has put into question his ability to stay in the outfield. Before Tommy John surgery, Adolfo had one of the best arms in the system. Hopefully he can show that again in 2021, but he only played 10 games in the field in 2019 as he recovered from injury. There’s also whether or not he can make enough contact to showcase that power effectively. At the alternate site, coaches worked to maintain Adolfo’s posture and find a more consistent, shorter bat path allowing him to make more contact. His 80-grade throwing arm and fringe-average speed could allow him to become an average defender in right field. Adolfo still has big upside, but he will have to show it with results in 2021.

15. Jimmy Lambert, RHP (Previous: 14, -1)

• Drafted 5th Round in 2016

Lambert was among a group of pitchers to take advantage of expanded rosters to make the White Sox on Opening Day. He appeared to have big league stuff in two relief appearances. Lambert struck out two and gave up two hits and no walks in two innings. In his debut his fastball was mostly 93-95 mph, but his second time out it sat mostly 90-92. Lambert touched 96 mph with his four seamer and also possesses a high arm slot changeup, curveball and slider that can all be above average. He went on the injured list with a forearm strain and missed the rest of the season. Lambert showed he has big league stuff and a starter’s arsenal, but another arm injury so soon after Tommy John surgery is a concern. He is ready for spring training and he’s with the group in Glendale attempting to make the big league roster.

16. Jake Burger, 3B (Previous: 19, +3)

17. Bryan Ramos, 3B (Previous: 28, +11)

18. Zack Burdi, RH RP (Previous: 18)

19. Bryce Bush, OF (Previous: 20, +1)

20. Jose Rodriguez, SS (Previous: 29, +9)

21. Benyamin Bailey, OF (Previous: 22, +1)

22. James Beard, OF (Previous: 24, +2)

23. Kade McClure, RH SP (Previous: Unranked)

24. DJ Gladney, 3B (Previous: 25, +1)

25. Bernardo Flores, LHP (Previous: 27, +2)

26. Tyler Johnson, RH RP (Previous: 23, -3)

27. Yolbert Sanchez, SS (Previous: 17, -10)

28. Bailey Horn, LH SP (Previous: Unranked)

29. Caleb Freeman, RH RP (Previous: Unranked)

30. Chase Krogman, OF (Previous: Unranked)

Photo credit: Sean Williams/FutureSox

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