Cohen: A debut to remember in Kannapolis, second baseman emerges in Charlotte

Living in Charlotte, it is just a short ride to two of Chicago’s three MILB affiliates.  And even though I primarily cover the Knights, there are just some games in Kannapolis and Winston-Salem that are can’t-miss baseball.

Friday night’s debut for Sox first-round pick Noah Schultz was one of them.  The uber-talented 6-foot-9 lefty struck out five of seven batters that he faced, relying on a deadly two-seam fastball (96-97) and an equally nasty slider (82-83).

I chatted with Schultz post-game and was as impressed by his demeanor as I was by his command of the strike zone.  It reminded me of a year ago when I met 2022 first rounder Colson Montgomery before his first game in Kannapolis.  Both exude quiet confident, with the swagger of major leaguers-in-waiting.

Here is ⁦@noahcschultz⁩ post-game, breaking down his fabulous debut. He only needed 2 pitches tonight, a 2-seam FB (which is a new pitch) & a nasty slider.

⁦@FutureSox⁩ ⁦@whitesox⁩ pic.twitter.com/tKTvqis0gy

— jeff cohen (@TripleAJeff) June 3, 2023

I should have returned for Saturday night’s rain-shortened, four-inning affair, when 2021 fifth-round pick Tanner McDougal tossed four innings of shutout baseball while navigating around a hit and four walks.  There are a lot of interesting, young arms in Kannapolis, most of whom, like Schultz, Payton Pallette, Tyler Schweitzer, Eric Adler, Mason Adams and Shane Murphy, were drafted last year.   Their success could go a long way in replenishing a farm system woefully short on pitching.

Another Second Base Option Emerges For Sox

The Knights’ hottest hitter, Nate Mondou, has begun playing a lot of second base.  It probably wouldn’t be a big deal, given that that has been his primary position throughout his MILB career.

But the White Sox seem to be in a never-ending search for an impact second baseman, so I suspect Mondou’s move is tied to that.

The Knights don’t have a natural first baseman on the roster and Mondou has been among the handful of players covering the position.  But he played second base three times last week (moving smoothly and easily around the bag despite his stocky frame).

Most likely prompting the move is a scorching-hot bat.  Mondou had six hits in 16 at bats last week to go along with six walks.  His hits included two homers, a double and six RBIs.  He hit .303 in May, with a .436 OBP, and six doubles and four homers.  He had 18 walks and 18 strikeouts.

Roster News

Lenyn Sosa was placed on the IL retroactive to June 2 with an undisclosed injury.  

Lane Ramsey also was placed on the IL on Sunday, one day after blowing a 3-2 lead in the 9th.  At one point during Saturday’s game, the trainer came out to check on Ramsey but he remained in the game.

JB Olson was activated off the Development List.

Recently demoted Jesse Scholtens was added to the Knights’ active roster.  In three multi-inning appearances for the White Sox in May, Scholtens tossed 13.2 innings, giving up eight hits, five earned runs and six walks while striking out 5.

Carlos Perez Update

After a stellar 2022 season in Charlotte, Carlos Perez’s stats this year don’t jump off the page.  

But so much of success in Triple-A baseball is a player’s mental fortitude, and I suspect it was really rough for Perez to have such a phenomenal 2022 and still find himself back in Charlotte this season.

Perez was among the International League leaders last year in K rate.  He continues to make consistent contact again this year, with an impressive 16% strikeout rate, even if he isn’t driving the ball quite like last year.  His slash line is a modest .253/.301/.459.

The Knights are not a home-running hitting team this year, but Perez is second on the team with nine Victor Reyes has 10. 

His defensive stats are decent as well.  He has thrown out 14 of 40 base stealers, has committed just three passed balls, has yet to make an error, and has 18 assists.

Nothing he’s done this year disuades me from believing he still has the floor of a major-league back-up.

Sammy Peralta Remains Hot

Another week, another multi-inning shutout effort by Sammy Peralta.  The lefty needed just 40 pitches (27 of which were strikes) to post three hitless innings on June 2.  His outing included no hits, a walk and four strikeouts.