We are now two months into the season, and the White Sox farm system has exceeded all expectations (although the bar wasn’t exactly set very high). Several prospects in the Sox farm system have taken huge steps forward in their development, allowing the system as a whole to feel much less barren than it did to begin the season. While it remains to be seen how much some of these prospects can rise up rankings, fans can feel much better about the state of the minor league system overall.
Stock Up (May Stats in Parentheses)
Cristian Mena (0-1, 4.24 ERA, 23.1 IP, 32 SO, 12 BB)
Quietly emerging as one of the top pitching prospects in the White Sox Organization, Cristian Mena has continued his breakout season with a strong showing in May. Before giving up 3 runs in 4.1 Innings in his final start of the month, Mena was pitching to a 3.79 ERA with 28 Ks in 19 innings. While it wasn’t as stellar as his first month, Mena is still establishing himself as an emerging pitching prospect with eye popping strikeout ability. His walk rate jumped up a bit, but there isn’t too much to complain about this performance from a 19-year-old making his full season debut.
Colson Montgomery (.327/.436/.539, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .450 wOBA, 172 wRC+)
There is little doubt that Colson Montgomery is the most valuable prospect in the White Sox organization, and his showing this past month further solidified that. After missing a couple weeks due to a hand injury, Montgomery came back without missing a beat with 4 multi-hit games in a row. Overall, he put up a .327 batting average, .974 OPS, and a staggering 172 wRC+ through the month. His stock is skyrocketing, giving the White Sox their best chance at a top 100 prospect.
Lenyn Sosa (.351/.388/.649, 8 HR, 22 RBI, .439 wOBA, 164 wRC+)
Lenyn Sosa might be surpassing Bryan Ramos as the biggest riser in the White Sox farm system. He put on an offensive clinic this past month, smashing 8 home runs while also raising his batting average to .341 and his OPS to .958 for the season. There is currently a log jam in the middle infield in the upper minors for the White Sox, but he is forcing the front office to consider a promotion to Triple A with his performance so far this season.
Wes Kath (.258/.358/.419, 3 HR, 13 RBI, .366 wOBA, 121 wRC+)
While he still has some issues to clean up at the plate, Wes Kath’s showing in May was much improved from the beginning of the season. The White Sox most recent 2nd round pick had an ugly slash line of .172/.284/.219 with a wRC+ of 56 in April, but in the month of May he looked like a completely different hitter. He showed a much needed adjustment that led to a slash line of .258/.356/.416 in May, hitting his first three home runs of the season and putting up a 120 wRC+. He still needs to cut down on his strikeouts, but he is drawing walks and putting up much more competitive at bats on a consistent basis.
Davis Martin (3-1, 4.71 ERA, 21 IP, 19.5 K%, 4.9 BB%)
A strong MLB debut from Davis Martin has him firmly on the radar of all who follow the Chicago White Sox. While he hasn’t looked as sharp during his time in Triple A, Martin left a lasting impression on the coaching staff and should be the next man up if needed in the rotation this season.
Wilfred Veras (.321/.371/.395, 1 HR, 10 RBI, .363 wOBA, 119 wRC+)
Wilfred Veras is an under the radar corner infield prospect who the White Sox signed out of the Dominican Republic back in 2019. He put up very good numbers in the Arizona Complex League last year, and is showing that same production in his full season debut this year. In the month of May, he put up a .321 batting average with a .766 OPS and a wRC+ of 119. While he has yet to tap into his raw power on a consistent basis, he is showing impressive bat to ball skills early in his career.
Terrell Tatum (.286/.375/.540, 3 HR, 16 RBI, .405 wOBA, 144 wRC+)
A 16th round pick out of North Carolina State last year, Terrell Tatum is showing early that he is a prospect to keep an eye on in this farm system. In the month of May, Tatum put up a .274 batting average with 3 home runs and 5 stolen bases in High-A Winston-Salem. He also has shown a patient approach at the plate with an 11.2% walk rate and has the tools to rise up the rankings. Being a recent college draft pick, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him get a shot at Double A Birmingham later this season.
Stock Down (May Stats in Parentheses)
Bryan Ramos (.180/.260/.326, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .270 wOBA, 58 wRC+)
Bryan Ramos finished the month on the best note possible with 2 home runs, but throughout the month of May he was not the same hitter he was to begin the season. Before that last game, Ramos was hitting a less than stellar .167 batting average with a .503 OPS. His numbers for the season are still solid, and hopefully his most recent offensive outburst will get him back on track.
Matthew Thompson (0-4, 7.71 ERA, 18.6 K%, 8.8 BB%) and Andrew Dalquist (1-2, 6.20 ERA, 17 K%, 16 BB%)
I am grouping these two together, as they have been on a nearly identical trajectory since they were drafted in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the 2019 First Year Player draft. Both Thompson and Dalquist have put up ERAs north of 5.00 on the season, and neither have been able to put up the strikeout numbers that they should be based on their raw talent. Time is running out for these two formershighly thought of pitchers.
Romy Gonzalez (4 Games, .200/.333/.400, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .334 wOBA, 101 wRC+)
Romy Gonzalez didn’t have a great month in the White Sox organization. Between injuries and being relegated to a bench role in Triple A, Romy only appeared in 4 games total in the month of May. While he did hit a monster home run to finish out the month, the lack of time on the field is concerning. With the recent Injury to Tim Anderson, it is possible the Sox decide to call someone up, clearing a path to more consistent at bats and a shot for Romy to redeem himself.
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