It’s rankings week at FutureSox! Our full top 30 is out as well as scouting reports and info on 25 more players in the Just Missed group.
In addition to our regular content, some of our writers who participated in ranking the prospects are releasing their individual top 30 lists to Patreon subscribers throughout the week.
- 1. Andrew Vaughn, 1B
- 2. Michael Kopech, RHP
- 3. Garrett Crochet, LHP
- 4. Nick Madrigal, 2B
- 5. Jared Kelley, RHP
The top four prospects in this list will hopefully graduate by the time our midseason list drops in August, which is especially welcomed for Kopech. There is reason to believe the White Sox will use Vaughn in a loaded capacity in the big leagues this year and I am confident he will handle major league arms.
Crochet may largely be used out of the White Sox bullpen this season, which is great for the immediate sense because it means the team is using its valuable assets to win now. The concern then lies with Crochet’s development long-term as a starter. Will an extended stint in a major league bullpen hurt the lefty’s future in developing as a starting pitcher?
- 6. Jonathan Stiever, RHP
- 7. Andrew Dalquist, RHP
- 8. Matthew Thompson, RHP
- 9. Gavin Sheets, 1B/OF
- 10. Norge Vera, RHP
I just can’t help but continue to rank Dalquist over Thompson, as the two have essentially been paired together whenever one or the other is mentioned since the White Sox selected the high school arms in 2019. Thompson was deemed the most athletic player in the system who can develop as a starter with a mid-90s fastball and hard slider. Dalquist, though, offers four pitches and I love his build, repeatable delivery and command.
Shoutout to Gavin Sheets! That dude’s worked hard to earn a chance with the White Sox in 2021. Working as an outfielder now outside of just as a first baseman only has skyrocketed his stock. He was primed for a breakout year in 2020 prior to the shutdown.
I love what the White Sox found in Vera. At 20 years old, age is on his side with a projectable frame. His upside is a mid-rotation starter who has hard action on his breaking stuff paired with a low-90s fastball that’s hovered in the mid-to-upper 90s at times.
- 11. Blake Rutherford, OF
- 12. Yoelqui Cespedes, OF
- 13. Luis Gonzalez OF
- 14. Jimmy Lambert RHP
- 15. Zack Burdi RHP
I’m the highest on Rutherford than I’ve ever been since he joined the system in 2017. He provides a capable bat that can spray to all fields while showcasing modest power thanks in part to the size he put on over the last two seasons. His bat-to-ball skill has improved and at worst can operate as a 4th/5th outfielder for the White Sox in the immediate future.
I want to watch Cespedes in action before I bump him up in the rankings. There is a lot of unknown there, but considering his proximity to the majors as well as the upside he possesses, there is no reason to rank him lower than 12th.
Lambert may be a career reliever in the big leagues, although the Sox believe he can still start. Following a return from Tommy John surgery and making his MLB debut in 2020, the righty lost his season due to a forearm injury to the same arm, so they surely will operate with caution as Lambert develops this season.
Burdi is for real. His stuff was back last season and a mechanical tweak this offseason in his hips may be enough to help the erratic command. Burdi is a legitimate under-the-radar high-leverage reliever heading into this season.
- 16. Micker Adolfo OF
- 17. Jake Burger, 3B
- 18. Bryce Bush, OF
- 19. Bryan Ramos, 3B
- 20. Benyamin Bailey, OF
Adolfo needs to prove to me his timing is all the way back. It’s been a struggle for the slugger since undergoing multiple surgeries to his throwing arm.
I might be too optimistic about Burger, but I don’t care. I’m allowing myself to buy all the way in. His story is easy to root for, although that’s not the reason he’s as high as he is on my list. The bat is back, he is healthy and is ticketed for a full season of Minor League Baseball.
Ramos had raving reviews from publications like Baseball America, which really caught my attention. Then when discussing the site’s official list with our Arizona correspondent, Sean Williams, I was intrigued. This is a player with a ton of pop and enough athleticism to play anywhere on the infield.
- 21. Jose Rodriguez, SS
- 22. Yolbert Sanchez, SS
- 23. Tyler Johnson, RHP
- 24. Bernardo Flores, LHP
- 25. James Beard, OF
The aforementioned five are the most “prove it” guys to me than any other combination on this list. Johnson may not be getting enough love here on account of his proximity to the majors, but I’ll say I’m cautiously optimistic that he will be one of the first in line to earn a spot in the big league pen as a result of the various happenings that occur throughout a baseball season.
Beard has great hands, but he must develop as a ballplayer. I’m hoping his reads on balls in the outfield improve, as well as his ability to find bat to ball more consistently. There was a lot of swing and miss in his game during his first brief professional season.
- 26. DJ Gladney, 3B/1B
- 27. Kade McClure, RHP
- 28. Jefferson Mendoza, C
- 29. Caleb Freeman, RHP
- 30. Will Kincanon, RHP
A source who works closely with DJ Gladney called him “a Ferrari.” Color me intrigued.
Josh Norris of Baseball America told us that Kade McClure had interest as a possible Rule 5 selection this year, so it’s apparent he is close to major league ready. Let’s see him work off a professional mound in Charlotte first.
Two pen arms, Freeman and Kincanon, round out my list as I believe Kincanon will accelerate through the system quickly at a position that often sees the furthest leaps in development. James Fox had me sold on Freeman, so forgive me for trusting the Fox man. Blame him if things don’t turn out the way we intend.
Photo credit: Sean Williams/FutureSox