Top 5 Prospects For the Chicago White Sox

Whenever anyone talks about great minor league prospects there is one organization that never gets talked about. That would be the Chicago White Sox.

Many have said that Kenny Williams has traded the future away for either nobodies or for players that don’t have an immediate impact. While this is true if you look at Williams trading away Clayton Richard and Daniel Hudson this doesn’t mean that the White Sox have no future.

The White Sox organization isn’t deep with great prospects but they are there. The White Sox hired Buddy Bell to help the farm system and it is working. In 2012 alone there were some names that had an immediate impact for the White Sox.

Players like Addison Reed, Jose Quintana, and Hector Santiago. These three players coming out of Spring Training weren’t even expected to make an impact. Reed was put in the bullpen and after Santiago failed as a closer he took his spot. Reed performed quite well for a rookie. Santiago was used as a reliever and emergency starter.

Quintana was found off the scrap heap of the New York Yankees after they gave up on him. He made an immediate impact when Jon Danks went down with an injury. While he faltered down the stretch he will still be part of the rotation next season.

So who should fans look for in 2013? I’m going to list the top five prospects in the White Sox organization. There are even a couple names of players that have already made an impact.

Jared Mitchell

When Jared Mitchell was drafted by the White Sox he was expected to make a huge impact. An ankle injury seemed to put those hopes on hold. Yet through persistence, Mitchell made a comeback. In 2012 he played for the Birmingham Barons and then the Charlotte Knights. He does tend to strike out a lot but that is something that the Knights could improve on in 2013. Look for Mitchell to have a good year in 2013.

Dylan Axelrod

While Dylan Axelrod was up on the main roster for the White Sox he is still considered a prospect. He was called up to the White Sox in 2011 for a cup of coffee only appearing in four games. In 2012 he was called up for 14 games. While his ERA was 5.47 he still has a nasty slider as can be evidenced by his 40 strikeouts. Axelrod might not break into the starting rotation he will more than likely be in the bullpen. White Sox fans should expect to see Axelrod on the main roster sometime in 2013.

Jordan Danks

Another player who was on the White Sox roster as their fourth outfield is Jordan Danks. Danks was tearing the cover off the ball for the Knights before being called up to the big leagues. He was batting .317 and had 30 RBI’s. Danks up probably a little earlier than they anticipated. He didn’t get much playing time and only appeared in 50 games. He batted .224 and only struck out 15 times. His first big league home run was a walk off. When the White Sox signed DeWayne Wise, Danks went back down to the Knights where he could get playing time every day. I expect Danks to be on the roster next year and make an immediate impact.

Josh Phegley

Besides the impressive defensive numbers from Josh Phegley is the fact that he stayed healthy through 2012. Phegley had a blood condition that caused him to miss all of 2010. Yet that didn’t deter the young catcher and 2012 was his best year yet. Phegley batted.266 for the Knights in 102 games and had 48 RBI’s. Defensively he won the Gold Glove. Phegley threw out 46% of base runners trying to steal on him and had a fielding percentage of .996. If the White Sox don’t resign A.J. Pierzynski, look for Phegley to back up Tyler Flowers. If they do resign Pierzynski then I anticipate Phegley making the roster by 2014 at the latest.

Trayce Thompson

This young outfielder is already opening eyes and he’s only 21. Thompson played 116 games for the Winston-Salem Dash where he hit .254 and had 22 home runs. Thompson then jumped up to the Barons where he played 14 games and hit .280 and hit six home runs. He only played six games for the Knights. He is currently playing center field but scouts say he would be better suited in right field. Thompson is very strong and is considered a power hitter. While Thompson is still a raw talent and he needs to work on things to make the jump to the White Sox, I would anticipate Thompson being with the White Sox in the future.