Two more White Sox players will be taking part in the Premier12 tournament.
First baseman Tim Elko and right-handed pitcher Eric Adler were named to USA Baseball’s roster, which was made official on Monday afternoon. The two prospects have been playing in the Arizona Fall League over the past two weeks.
Elko, 25, quickly became a fan favorite in 2023 after mashing 27 home runs across three minor league levels. This past season included more of the same, as the first baseman hit .289/.338/.420 with nine homers in Double-A before earning a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte.
The Ole Miss product still needs to work on his approach at the plate, where his high tendency to swing has led to elevated strikeout numbers and low walk rates. Regardless, his power and contact abilities have left little to prove at the minor-league level, likely resulting in an MLB promotion sometime in 2025.
Adler, 24, established himself as the best relief prospect in the White Sox farm system in 2024. He was dominant in a brief stint with the High-A Winston-Salem Dash which earned him a promotion to Double-A in May. He held his own at that level, continuing to rack up strikeouts while also allowing more walks than many would hope.
The 2022 sixth-rounder’s arsenal includes an upper 90s fastball along with a curveball and slider that are plus when he can control them. Command has always been the biggest issue for Adler, though, as he struggled with walks in college. Since turning pro, he has honed it to the point where he has been an effective reliever. There aren’t many pitchers in the organization that possess the pure stuff that Adler brings to the mound, giving him high-leverage potential if he continues to develop on his current trajectory.
In addition to the two prospects, third baseman Yoan Moncada will be participating in the games for Team Cuba. He is reportedly set to join players from his home country in South Korea sometime this week to prepare.
Team USA will begin play against Puerto Rico on Saturday, November 9, while Cuba’s opening-round game follows on Wednesday, November 13 against the Dominican Republic. We will be tracking the action and providing updates throughout the tournament.
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Featured Photo: Laura Wolff Photography/Charlotte Knights
