As we close in on the halfway point of the season, we take a look at the farm system of the Chicago White Sox, who came into the season widely regarded as having the worst collection of prospects in the league. While this was due to a plethora of recent prospect graduations after a multi-year rebuild, they still had work to do in terms of replenishing their minor league system.
After looking at the group of players that just missed the Top 30 list yesterday, we have the back half of the White Sox’s top 30. This group features an interesting mix of player profiles, with older prospects putting up big numbers, recent draft picks/signings who are off to strong starts, and formerly higher-rated prospects who are talented but struggling to put it all together.
30. Loidel Chapelli 2B
A late addition to the White Sox 2022 international signing class, the 20-year-old Chapelli commanded the third-highest signing bonus the Sox gave out this year at $500,000. Originally signed as an outfielder, the Sox have converted him to 2B where they think his tools will play better. He has shown an extremely advanced hit tool to begin his career, although it’s easy to assume he is too advanced for the Dominican Summer League at this point. It is possible that when he makes his stateside debut he skips the Arizona Complex league and heads straight to Low-A Kannapolis, similar to Norge Vera this season.
29. Johan Dominguez SP
It is unfortunate that an elbow injury derailed Dominguez’s season, as he was on his way to having a fantastic year. In three starts between Double A and Triple A, the 26-year-old right-hander pitched to a 1.42 ERA with 20 strikeouts and only 4 walks in 12.2 innings. His mid-90s fastball paired with a couple of solid breaking pitches and a change-up give him a full arsenal to work with, and he has shown an ability to consistently control it better than expected. Dominguez’s first priority will be to get healthy and attempt a comeback sometime in 2023, but hopefully, he can also build off his strong start when he does come back. When healthy, he has the upside to be a back-of-the-rotation starter, although a reliever role might be more likely.
28. Tommy Sommer SP
A 10th-round pick out of Indiana, Sommer had a very productive four-year college baseball career before entering the White Sox system. He has so far put up over 11 K/9 at both of his stops at the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Kannapolis, although he is a bit advanced for those levels considering he will be 24 in September. He has put up impressive results regardless, so the White Sox have something to work with.
27. Tyler Neslony OF
Neslony has put up some big-time numbers since the Sox acquired him from the Braves last July. He has been an above .300 hitter with solid power numbers and has even accumulated double-digit stolen bases so far this season. His numbers are those of a prospect rated much higher, however the fact that he is already 28 years old limits his upside. It is very likely he ends this season with Triple-A Charlotte.
26. Andrew Dalquist SP
Dalquist’s professional career hasn’t gotten off to the start he was hoping for. As a 3rd round pick in 2019, Dalquist was viewed as a high-ceiling pitcher out of high school, and many outlets had him ranked similar to 2nd-round pick Matthew Thompson pre-draft. He was viewed as a bit more polished initially, however, he has struggled with command more than expected and hasn’t had the strikeout numbers to make up for it. Losing a season of development due to Covid canceling the 2020 season didn’t help, but Dalquist has not made the necessary strides that the Sox envisioned him making when they paid him an over-slot bonus to convince him to skip college.
25. Caleb Freeman RP
Drafted as a reliever back in 2019, Caleb Freeman has produced solid numbers at pretty much every stop he has made in the minors and has proven his ability to produce strikeouts and limit runs at as high as the Double A level. Injuries have limited his innings throughout his career, as he has only logged 5.2 innings this season and hasn’t pitched since May 10. If he can stay healthy, though, he could find himself as a member of the White Sox bullpen in the not-too-distant future.
24. Jason Bilous SP
Jason Bilous has taken a bit of a step back after showing some real progress in 2021. Command has always been his biggest pain point, as he averaged over 5 BB/9 in his first two minor league seasons. He appeared to be turning a corner last year, however, as he lowered his walk rate to 3.62 BB/9 while striking out 106 batters through 79.2 IP and putting up a FIP of 3.62 (two full points lower than his ERA) between High-A and Double-A.
This year, however, he has regressed into some of his old struggles. He is still putting up impressive strikeout numbers, however, his BB/9 has ballooned back up over 6, and he holds a 5.48 ERA. Bilous may be destined for a role in the bullpen, however, he will need to learn to minimize his walks if he is ever to make it to the majors.
23. Romy Gonzalez
A lack of availability has caused a blow to Romy Gonzalez’s value. After making his MLB debut in 2021, many thought he was destined to be the White Sox utility man this season. Instead, he was sent back down to Triple A where he has missed multiple stretches of games due to various reasons and has put up underwhelming numbers when he is on the field.
He burst onto the scene in 2021 by putting up a 1.120 OPS in Double A, forcing a promotion to Triple A and eventually the MLB in a brief stint. He still possesses above-average raw power and defensive versatility, so don’t count him out of a future promotion just yet.
22. Hunter Schryver RP
Schryver has been an intriguing relief pitching prospect since the Sox acquired him from the Rays back in 2018. He pitched well prior to the canceled 2020 season but appeared to come back rusty in 2021 at the Triple A level. That doesn’t seem to be a concern anymore, as he has arguably been the best relief pitcher on the Charlotte Knight roster this season. He is getting his fair share of strikeouts while lowering his walk rate from past seasons, and his 2.53 ERA leads some to wonder if he deserves a spot in the White Sox bullpen now.
21. Adam Hackenberg C
After a red hot start in April, Adam Hackenberg was beginning to look like he could be the steal of the 2021 draft. While he has cooled off substantially since then, he still is proving to be a solid catching prospect for the White Sox. He maintains a solid approach at the plate, and has at least average abilities defensively with his blocking, receiving, and arm. If he can improve his consistency at the plate, he has the tools to be a future MLB backstop.
20. Micker Adolfo OF
Micker Adolfo continues his long journey to make it to the majors. After going unclaimed after being designated for assignment prior to the 2022 season, Adolfo was sent back to the Triple A Charlotte Knights. He hasn’t been as productive as he was in 2021, but he still possesses massive power and a cannon of an arm in right field. He will get his shot eventually, however, it remains to be seen if that opportunity is with the White Sox.
19. Tanner McDougal SP
Tanner McDougal’s debut season in 2021 came to an unfortunate end after suffering from UCL damage that resulted in Tommy John Surgery. He should be ready to begin the season in the low minors in 2023, and he brings with him some of the most intriguing talent of all the White Sox pitching prospects. His fastball was clocked in at as high as 96 mph, and his breaking pitches showed elite spin rates at the MLB combine. While his ERA in his limited time at the Arizona Complex League was pretty high, his 17 Ks in just 9.2 innings highlights just how good McDougal’s stuff is when he is healthy.
18. Luis Mieses OF
Luis Mieses has the tools to be an MLB player, he just hasn’t been able to put it all together on a consistent basis. He is a prototypical right fielder with above-average power at the plate and a strong arm. This season has been arguably his best so far, where he has hit above .282 and slugged 7 home runs while keeping his strikeout rate relatively low. He also leads the South Atlantic league with 25 doubles, with the next highest being 19. With a log jam at the outfield spot throughout the organization, it seems likely that he gathers interest from a rebuilding team looking to sell off MLB talent.
17. Kohl Simas SP
Kohl Simas has been a great underdog story over the past year. Signed as an undrafted minor league free agent in July of 2021, all Simas has done is produce since he signed his contract. He has been one of the best pitchers in at the Low-A level with a 2.36 ERA and 12.43 K/9. The 22-year-old right-hander has made it look easy this season, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Sox challenge him with a promotion soon.
16. Erick Hernandez OF
While Oscar Colas was the big name of the White Sox most recent international class, Erick Hernandez may be the most intriguing prospect the Sox acquired during that period. Earning some overly ambitious comparisons to Juan Soto, Hernandez was ranked within the top 30 of the total international class and earned a $1 million signing bonus. His hit tool from the left side of the plate will be his calling card going forward, and it has been on full display in his debut in the Dominican Summer League with a .308 batting average.
Follow us @SoxOn35th for more updates throughout the season and to find our #1-15 prospects tomorrow!
Featured Image: @laurawolffphoto / Twitter
