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Monday, March 07, 2011

White Sox 2011 Review: Win Now, Baby!!



The "Just win now, baby" philosophy is more associated with the Oakland Raiders mind-set (and look where it's gotten them recently) but you could also make the case that, from the top down, the White Sox organization share the same philosophy.

Baseball America recently had this to say about the organizations philosophy regarding player development.

from baseballamerica.com
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2011/2610957.html

By contrast, Williams has shown little patience as a GM, constantly borrowing from tomorrow for today.

As a result of Williams' willingness to trade prospects for veterans and the team's bungled efforts in Latin America, Chicago has one the weakest farm systems in baseball. While Williams has dealt away 53 players (and counting) who have been ranked on Baseball America's annual White Sox Top 30 Prospects lists, few have come back to bite him—though righthander Daniel Hudson did go 7-1, 1.69 in 11 starts after being shipped to the Diamondbacks for Edwin Jackson in July.

To be fair, the strategy had delivered a world championship to the South Side of Chicago in 2005 and kept the team competitive on a yearly basis since then. From Owner Jerry Reinsdorf, to GM Kenny Williams to manager Ozzie Guillen, the focus is on moving the dial on last years 88 wins total and catching the Twins then developing the 2015 lineup and roster.

Part of the reason may be the relative lack of success of the White Sox top picks. From 2001 to 2007 the list of White Sox #1 picks reads as follows:

RHP Kris Homel
LHP Royce Ring
OF Brian Anderson
3B Josh Fields
RHP Lance Broadway
RHP Kyle McCulloch
LHP Aaron Poreda

Not much too look at there. No real impact players or potential stars. More recently the draft has produce starting 2B Gordon Beckham and rising prospects OF Jared Mitchell and LHP Chris Sale.

Sale is the crown jewel of the prospect list. The only question mark seems to be "starter or closer?" It seems as if he is the #5 starter only if Jake Peavy's arm flies off.

Sale is a 6-2, 175 LHP who was the 2010 # pick. He features a 95 MPH fastball with late life and good off speed stuff to complement the fastball. Sale projects as a top of the rotation starter down the road. They may ease him into that role and attempt to keep his innings down by using him out of the bullpen and spot starting. He should be a fixture in the Sox rotation for many years to come.

I like Jacob Petricka a 6-5, 170 RHP from Indiana State next as a prospect. He features a low-mid 90's FB and a workable breaking ball. He may end up as a set-up or middle innings reliever down the road.

JACOB PETRICKA

Gregory Infante is a 6-2, 185 RHP, a 24 year-old signed out of Venezuela in 2006, may have a higher ceiling than Petricka. He has a good feel for his secondary pitches, features a mid to high 90's FB and keeps the ball in the park. He has battled control issues at times. When those are fixed he should be a solid middle of the rotation starter.

GREGORY INFANTE

Another pitcher who could contribute is Anthony Carter, a 6-3, 180 RHP who was a 26th rounder in 2005. Carter is being groomed as a reliever, featuring a low to mid 90's FB and a plus slider. His control needs work as well, especially if he works our of the bullpen.

In the infield, Brent Morel may be the Sox Opening Day 3B. Morel is 6-1, 200 a 24 year-old 3rd rounder in 2008. He has a compact, line-drive producing swing with gap power. A solid bat with enough arm for 3B.

BRENT MOREL

Another corner IF prospect who may get pushed to DH is Cuban signee Dayan Viciedo. Dayan is 6-1, 240 and has 30 HR power potential. He rarely walks and has near zero speed. A classic hit or miss guy. His glove would follow him to 1B or 3B if it ever gets out of the dugout.

DAYAN VICIEDO

Eduardo Escobar is 5-10, 150 SS, a 22 year-old signed out of Venezuela in 2006, Escobar brings a skilled glove with a quick release (read weak arm). He has good range, but not much bat and little or no power. Maybe an Alexei Ramirez minus the bat?

EDUARDO ESCOBAR

Among the outfield prospects, Jared Mitchell seems to be the consensus pick as the top man. Jared is 5-11, 192 22 year-old OF who was the 1st rounder in 2009. He is a good hitter, athletic with plus speed. He works counts well and has a little pop in his bat, with more power projected.

JARED MITCHELL

After Mitchell there is a bit of a split. The one who I think could crash the gate is Brandon Short. He is 6-1, 175 OF, a 22 year-old, 28th rounder in 2008. Brandon is a battler, with decent speed and arm, a good bat who seldom walks. His bat is his calling card and as a 28th rounder, he will have to work hard for everything he gets.

BRANDON SHORT

Jordan Danks is a 6-5, 210 OF 24 years old a 7th rounder in 2008 out of Texas. He needs to hit more and show some pop that fits with his size. He has plus speed and is a patient hitter. His glove is a plus as well.

JORDAN DANKS

Another prospect who may be a couple of years away would be Trayce Thompson. He is 6-4, 200 20 year old who was a 2nd rounder in 2009. Trayce is a high-ceiling, athletic player with some pop in his bat. With the power, comes a high K-Rate. When he gets more reps and his hitting approach gets more refined, he could be one to watch.

TRAYCE THOMPSON

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“Whoever hears these words and acts on them is like the wise man who built his house on rock. The rains came, the streams rose, and the winds blew against that house; and yet it did not fall, beacuse it had a firm foundation. But those who hear these words and do not act on them are like the foolish who build their house on sand. The rains fall, the streams rise and the winds beat against their house, and then it falls, with a great crash.” - Matthew 7:21-27

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