With Spring Training underway, we are officially unveiling our 2024 preseason White Sox Top 30 prospects list! This season, we have more White Sox prospects to highlight than we have in a while, so this week we will break down every prospect you need to know about heading into the 2024 season.
As we hit mid-week, we begin unveiling our top 30 White Sox prospects with those who made it into the bottom 10 of our rankings!
In case you missed it:
30. Christian Oppor, LHP
Christian Oppor was an over-slot fifth-round draft pick in 2023, with intriguing upside at just 19 years old. The White Sox reportedly had an agreement with Oppor last year, but the A’s snatched him up as a draft and follow-pick before the Sox had a chance to take him.
He was once the top arm in Wisconsin and got off to a solid start in a handful of innings at the Arizona Complex League. A strong 2024 could lead to a jump in his ranking by mid-season.
29. Jacob Burke, OF
A former 11th-round pick, Jacob Burke has put together quite the season for himself, including a 52-game on-base streak across two levels.
After 35 games with the Cannon Ballers where Burke put together a slash line of .315/.416./512 and four home runs, he earned himself a promotion to the High-A Winston-Salem. He didn’t have quite the same level of success after the promotion, however, he did put up a respectable .771 OPS and 118 wRC+ at the High-A level.
Double-A will be the true test for Burke to see if he has an MLB future.
28. Ronny Hernandez, C
Ronny Hernandez put himself on the map in 2022 while playing in the Dominican Summer League, posting a 136 wRC+ with six home runs and a 15% walk rate, with his strikeout rate being only slightly higher at 17.5%. He also showed off plenty of defensive value with his arm, throwing out 51% of opposing base stealers. While his power numbers dipped this past season playing in the ACL, his overall numbers were still strong with a .923 PS and 134 wRC+. He even maintained his ability to get on base with a 12.8% walk rate.
If he can sustain this success in his full-season debut in Kannapolis, his stock should rise quickly.
27. Abraham Nunez, OF
Abraham Nunez tied with Luis Reyes for the largest signing bonus commanded in the White Sox most 2023 international class. While Reyes was ranked higher by most outlets, Nunez was the one who broke out in the 2023 season in the Dominican Summer League before cooling off a bit. Still, the 18-year-old outfielder maintained a batting average just a hair below .300 with a 136 wRC+ and walked more often than he struck out. He also has the athleticism to be a threat on the base paths, although he could slow down a tick as he matures.
With his five-tool ability and his advanced approach at the plate, Nunez’s stateside debut will be one to watch in 2024.
26. Shane Drohan, LHP
The White Sox acquired Shane Drohan from the Red Sox through the Rule-5 Draft this offseason, and if he didn’t require shoulder surgery, he would have been given a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. He was lights out at the Double-A level last season, however, ran into command issues after a promotion to the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate. If he can regain that command, he can be a back-end starter at the MLB level.
25. Jordan Leasure, RHP
The second pitching prospect acquired in the Lynn-Kelly deal with the Dodgers was right-hander Jordan Leasure. Leasure is purely a reliever, albeit with high-leverage upside. He utilizes both a fastball and a slider, with MLB Pipeline giving an 80 grade on the fastball, making it his best pitch. His slider, however, is not far behind with elite spin rates and movement.
He was pitching well for the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate before receiving a promotion to Triple-A upon being traded to the Sox. He ran into some struggles after the deal, but maintained an elite strikeout rate, fanning 23 batters in just 13.1 innings.
24. Zach DeLoach, OF
A former second-round pick, Zach DeLoach was acquired in a trade that sent Gregory Santos to the Mariners in February. His minor league career so far has been solid, if not unspectacular. However, he did find something in 2023 that allowed him to tap into his raw power, slugging 23 home runs at the Triple-A level.
While he isn’t considered an elite defensive outfielder, he is capable of manning all three spots at a respectable level. There’s no question can be a fourth outfielder and left-handed platoon player at the MLB level.
23. Javier Mogollon, 2B/SS
Javier Mogollon seemingly came out of nowhere to put up a monster debut season with the DSL White Sox. Signing for just $35,000 in January of 2023, the middle infielder hit over .300 and slugged 10 home runs while also walking almost as often as he struck out. On top of that, he showed off his base-stealing prowess with 11 swipes on the season. He split time between second base and shortstop, although he may project better at second long term.
If his bat continues to play as he rises up the minor league ranks, however, it won’t matter where he ends up defensively.
22. Sean Burke, RHP
A third-round pick back in 2021, Sean Burke’s once-promising minor league career was derailed by injuries in 2023. After being elevated to Triple-A in his first full minor league season back in 2022, Burke was only able to pitch 36.2 innings in 2023 due to shoulder inflammation, and it was clear he wasn’t fully healthy when he was on the mound.
When healthy, he has the ceiling of a mid-rotation pitcher with an explosive fastball and solid secondary offerings.
21. Eduardo Herrera, 3B
Eduardo Herrera headlines the White Sox 2024 international signing period class, as the power-hitting third baseman was signed out of Venezuela for $1.8 million. He was MLB Pipeline’s 11th-ranked international prospect overall and was the only one to receive a 60 grade on his power. He has drawn comparisons to a young Albert Pujols based on his frame and his power potential, while this comparison should be taken with a grain of salt, Herrera has impact bat potential and will be fun to follow as his minor league career takes off.
Follow along as we continue to unveil the rest of the top 30 White Sox top prospects list throughout the week! Tomorrow, we continue revealing the top 30, with the prospects who ranked #20-11.
Follow us @SoxOn35th for more White Sox prospect content throughout the season!
Featured Image: milb.com / Southern Intrigue Photography
