IBC White Sox Minor Notes

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:54 pm

Here are [three] players drafted in the 10th round or later who have a chance to exceed expectations and become quality big leaguers.

Danny Dorn, lf, Reds: Nine hundred fifty three players went off the board in the 2006 draft before the Reds selected Dorn in the 32nd round as a Cal State Fullerton senior. Eight of Dorn’s Fullerton teammates even went ahead of him the draft. But none of them has performed as well in the professional ranks as Dorn. In a little more than 1,000 professional plate appearances, Dorn’s career line is a sweet .297/.387/.528, including a .277/.367/.539 showing last year with Double-A Chattanooga. Dorn, 24, surprised some in the Southern League with the way he hit, particularly in the second half, shortening his swing and pulling the ball with more authority. The concerns about about the lefty-hitting Dorn are whether he can replicate his offensive success at higher levels, his lack of physical projection and his defense, which limits him to left field or first base. He’s also battled some physical ailments with his leg and shoulder, but he’s already come farther than many expected in 2006.

Jon Link, rhp, White Sox: The Padres drafted Link in 2005 in the 26th round out of Bluefield (Va.) College, but Link left the organization in 2007 when the White Sox traded Rob Mackowiak to the Padres to acquire Link at the trading deadline. Link, 24, was excellent last season for Double-A Birmingham, finishing with a 3.02 ERA in 56 2/3 innings as the Barons’ closer. Link struck out 66 batters, averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Link throws three pitches for strikes: a 90-92 mph fastball with some sink, a slider and a changeup. Link goes to his above-average slider for strikeouts, but his changeup is more than a show-me pitch and is an effective third weapon. There was some talk of moving Link to the starting rotation because of his three-pitch mix, but the White Sox will leave him in the bullpen. He still has to learn to harness his control, as he walked 27 batters (4.3 per nine) last year, though he was better in 2007 in high Class A when he walked just 15 batters in 58 2/3 innings (2.3 per nine).

Shawn Kelley, rhp, Mariners: The Mariners farm system is a tad light on pitching, particularly in arms acquired in the draft (though having Chris Tillman back would beef up that contingent). Kelley, a 13th-round pick from Austin Peay State in 2007, might be the team’s best pitching prospect in the upper minors, even though he is a reliever. Kelley, who will be 24 in April, joined Double-A West Tenn in June and finished the year there with a 2.11 ERA in 42 2/3 innings, 44 strikeouts and 13 unintentional walks. After the regular season, Kelley went to Venezuela for winter ball and racked up a nasty 21-2 K-BB ratio for Lara in 14 2/3 innings with a 3.68 ERA. The deception in Kelley’s delivery makes his stuff play up, but his low-90s fastball that touches 94 and hard slider give him two legitimate weapons to retire big league hitters. He should soon fit into the Mariners’ bullpen mix, perhaps as early as this season.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=2159

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:20 pm

This really threw me the hell off. I thought Degen was posting from beyond the 'grave'.

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:59 pm

Seeing "WhiteSox" posting in ExCo was even more startling at first.

Rangers · Post by **Rangers** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:27 pm

Yeah I'm still confused for a second every time I see Jim or John post.

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:30 pm

Justin Smoak (TEX)

Strengths: Strength. Bat speed/power/BA ability. Plate discipline. Soft hands

Weaknesses: Speed (4.3). Arm strength

Comments: Strong wrists and bat speed give him excellent power, and should hit for BA with his fluid swing, use of the whole field, and plate discipline. Runs well for size and has feel for game. Defense is above average, featuring soft hands, agility and adequate arm strength.

MLB Debut: 2010

Potential Rating: 9B

Player Potential Rating (1-10) representing a player's upside potential

10 - Hall of Fame-type player
9 - Elite player

PROBABILITY RATING (A-E) representing the player's realistic chances of achieving their potential

A - 90% probability of reaching potential
B - 70% probability of reaching potential

(Baseball HQ)

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:54 pm

04. Tommy Hanson
19. Alcides Escobar
20. Gordon Beckham
23. Justin Smoak
59. Ben Revere
67. Jake Arrieta
84. Max Ramirez

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:09 am

No. 1 JUSTIN SMOAK, 1B
RANGERS
Team: Double-A Frisco (Texas)
Age: 22
Why He's Here: .520/.625/.840 (13-for-25), 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 6 BB, 3 SO
The Scoop: Even if Texas didn't draft Justin Smoak last year, they still might have the best farm system in baseball. That Smoak was still available for the Rangers with the 11th overall selection is beginning to look like a tremendous bit of good fortune for the Rangers, who at the end of the year might have one of–if not the best–first base prospects in baseball in their farm system.

A switch-hitter with a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, Smoak features good hitting and power tools, strike-zone discipline and above-average defensive ability. In Double-A, he's showing a broad skill set without many weaknesses. He's now batting .351/.467/.568 through 20 games with four doubles, four home runs and more walks (16) than strikeouts (10).

No. 2 NOLAN REIMOLD, LF
ORIOLES

Team: Triple-A Norfolk (International)
Age: 25
Why He's Here: .381/.480/1.095 (8-for-21), 4 HR, 3 2B, 6 RBIs, 7 R, 2 BB, 1 SO, 1-for-1 SB
The Scoop: Maintaining a slugging percentage that starts with a one over any week of play is an impressive feat, and doubly so when one accomplishes it in Norfolk's spacious Harbor Yard. For good measure, Reimold went 2-for-4 with a homer and a double in his lone road game. The Orioles' second-round pick out of Bowling Green State in '05, Reimold already is 25 years old, but that just intensifies the case for a big league callup for the IL's leader in both on-base (.482) and slugging (.775).

No. 3 TOMMY HANSON, RHP
BRAVES

Team: Triple-A Gwinnett (International)
Age: 22
Why He's Here: 1-1, 0.75, 12 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 15 SO
The Scoop: What's left to write about Hanson? We all know the stuff–a plus fastball, a pair of plus breaking balls and a changeup that also flashes as a quality offering–is among the best in the minors, which has led to a 1.38 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. There probably aren't many pitchers in the major leagues with the kind of stuff that Hanson has, though his command isn't quite where it needs to be yet.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/pr ... 68037.html

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:16 pm

LAKEWOOD, N.J.—In a lineup loaded with power, a guy with speed made the difference for the Northern Division in Tuesday’s South Atlantic League all-star game.

Micah Johnson (White Sox) of Kannapolis stole a pair of bases on consecutive pitches and scored the deciding run on a fielder’s choice, all in the third inning, in the North’s 2-1 victory before a sparse crowd at FirstEnergy Park. The game was delayed two hours and 51 minutes due to rain and was called after seven innings.

The North’s two runs both came because of speed. Johnson, the speedy switch-hitting second baseman, who leads the minors with 54 steals, followed the West Virginia’s Dilson Herrera’s (Pirates) single with a base hit, sending Herrera to third. Johnson promptly swiped second and when Savannah catcher Kevin Plawecki (Mets) threw down, Herrera scored from third.

Johnson didn’t hesitate. He stole third and scored on a groundout to second by Hickory center fielder Lewis Brinson (Rangers). Johnson, a ninth-round pick in 2012 out of Indiana, has 16 multi-steal efforts in 66 games this season, and his .422 on-base percentage ranks third in the league.

“I just try to get on base and create things with the speed God gave me,” Johnson explained. “I don’t steal to get records. I steal to score runs and help my team.

“I always look for two things that I key off of. I work my way down the pitcher’s body. If his shoulder leans back or if his front heel comes off, that means he’s going home. I can see that on deck.”

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/m ... star-game/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:17 pm

Tigers wrote:Thsnks for posting. Dilson Herrera is pretty good. That was my takeaway at least.

Micah Johnson, 2b, White Sox. Johnson stole second and third base on consecutive pitches in the third inning—victimizing Giants righty Chris Stratton and Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki—then scored the deciding run on a fielder’s choice. The minor league stolen-base leader (with 54 in 70 attempts for Kannapolis) went 1-for-2 at the plate and won the game’s MVP award.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... star-game/

Yep - and that Herrera is pretty good also ...
Micah Johnson, 2b, White Sox. Johnson stole second and third base on consecutive pitches in the third inning—victimizing Giants righty Chris Stratton and Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki—then scored the deciding run on a fielder’s choice. The minor league stolen-base leader (with 54 in 70 attempts for Kannapolis) went 1-for-2 at the plate and won the game’s MVP award.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... star-game/

Yep - and that Herrera is pretty good also ...

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:20 pm

And speaking of Herrera ... Rosell is doing pretty well as his stats at the All Star break are .354/.434/.587 ... here's an early June write-up:

SS Rosell Herrera • Rockies
Low Class A Asheville (South Atlantic)

The switch-hitting Herrera continues to show a more refined hitting stroke from the left side, batting .350/.435/.626 versus righties in 2013, though the fact that he ranks second in the South Atlantic League in average (.342) and on-base percentage (.435) says a lot about his overall offensive improvement as he repeats low Class A. He’s slugging .415 away from Asheville, by far the best hitter’s park in the SAL, so take the power numbers with a grain of salt for now.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/a ... y-edition/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:21 pm

The White Sox have promoted Erik Johnson to Triple-A Charlotte.

A second-round pick in 2011, Johnson had a 2.23 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 14 starts at Double-A Birmingham. The 23-year-old right-hander could be an option for the major league rotation at some point this season.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/7421/erik-johnson

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:55 am

Micah Johnson, 2B, Chicago White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis)
Entering the 2012 college season, Johnson projected to go off the board in the top five rounds. An elbow injury and eventually surgery altered that projection and he ended up going in the ninth round to the White Sox that summer. Johnson’s numbers jump off the page in the South Atlantic League this season: a .335/.416/.524 line through 70 games. While Johnson’s numbers instantly impress, his scouting report has some holes that must be closed before he proudly owns a definitive big-league profile. Johnson is a 70-grade raw runner but his instincts force his speed to play down a grade during games. He can still swipe bases and shows good range at second base, but his running ability could be more impactful with an improved feel for the game. Aside from his range, Johnson’s skills at second base come up short. He has hands of stone and doesn’t get good jumps at contact. Most scouts believe he will move to the outfield long term but, the White Sox will understandably give him every opportunity to stick at the keystone. Johnson is a good athlete, quality hitter and has surprising punch in his stick, giving him a chance to find a spot on a major-league roster. His defensive profile will determine his long-term value, and if he stays on the dirt, he has a chance to be a solid player. –Mark Anderson

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=21018

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:10 am

Position Prospect of the Day: Max Stassi, C, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 R, 8 RBI. Offensively, Stassi has a few question marks. He will expand the zone, which may cause the hit tool to only have a below-average ceiling. Some teams believe he has enough thump to make up for his contact deficiencies, but opinions vary throughout the scouting community. Defensively, Stassi is a fantastic receiver and has average arm strength that will play up due to accuracy. He will need to show he can hit enough to be put on a major-league roster, and his future is most likely to be in a backup role; .212/.280/.327 with 10 2B and 1 HR in 113 at-bats before tonight’s game.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=21054

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:23 am

Erik Johnson, rhp, White Sox: Johnson had to leave his start Wednesday after three innings with a right groin strain, stalling the momentum that earned him a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte in late June. In 10 innings of work this week before he went down, Johnson allowed just three runs on seven hits and struck out 12. He picked up his first Triple-A win last Friday, and he stands 9-2, 2.24 combined between Double-A and Triple-A.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... et-july-5/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:05 pm

Keon Barnum, 1B, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. A former supplemental-first-round pick, Barnum has top-shelf raw power. The White Sox allowed him to gain some seasoning by holding him back in extended spring training before sending him off to Kannapolis. Barnum has struggled thus far, and he is not making enough quality contact to tap into his power potential. Stuck to first base, Barnum must really develop at the plate in order to stay on the prospect radar.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=21142

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:36 pm

Best Player: Although Erik Johnson was destined to start the 2013 season at Double-A Birmingham, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper gave him plenty of attention during spring training.

The Sox took a late look at Johnson before they left Arizona and weren’t disappointed when Johnson pitched four innings of two-hit ball against the Royals. There’s a reasonable chance that Johnson, 23, could receive a major league promotion in September, based on his success and willingness to learn.

“He’s one of our top guys,” Cooper said. “Once he starts getting more consistent command of his pitches, he’ll be here.”

Johnson was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte in late June after going 8-2, 2.23 with 74 strikeouts and 21 walks in 85 innings with Birmingham. Johnson, a second-round pick in 2011 out of California, relies on a 95 mph fastball but has shown more trust in his secondary pitches. He had thrown three complete games, and the Sox envision him as a workhorse who they would like to see pitch more effectively with his curveball, slider and changeup in later innings.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/m ... white-sox/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:37 pm

Biggest leap forward: In a span of three months, Josh Phegley has advanced from just another catcher in the system to a fan favorite to replace struggling Tyler Flowers.

The biggest transformation in Phegley’s game is his plate discipline that has led to a .314/.372/.590 average with 13 home runs and just 35 strikeouts in 210 at-bats. He isn’t as susceptible to chasing low, outside breaking pitches as he was earlier this season.

Phegley, 25, has grown into a big league prospect as handling of the pitching staff has improved. He also has quelled concerns about his durability, as his spleen was removed after the 2010 season following a bout of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a condition that results in low blood platelets.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/m ... white-sox/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:44 pm

Biggest Leap Forward: Switch-hitting shortstop Rosell Herrera was overwhelmed in 2012 at low Class A Asheville, where he hit .202/.271/.272 in 63 games before being demoted to short-season Tri-City. As his confidence waned, so did his aggressiveness.

The Rockies and Herrera focused on those issues at Tri-City and in instructional league, and the result is a more mature Herrera. The 20-year-old returned to Asheville and through 64 games was hitting .356/.431/.574 with 13 homers, 50 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He’s a much calmer player and hitter this year, possessing a healthy swagger in the batter’s box.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/r ... h-rockies/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:30 pm

Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 96.1 IP, 87 H, 33 ER, 30 BB, 78 K, 3.08 ERA, 6-5

Rodriguez has been pushed by the Orioles to Double-A at age 20. He features a fastball that works in the low 90s but has touched 95 when he needs it. Rodriguez uses a slider and changeup as his secondary offerings, and while both flash the potential to be usable major-league pitches, I, as well as scouts I’ve spoken with, feel that they will be closer to average than plus. The best-case scenario is that Rodriguez’s secondary offerings play high enough for him to be a mid-rotation starter; I feel he will be a very good number-four.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=21188

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 4:16 pm

Rob Refsnyder was drafted in the fifth round in 2012 out of the University of Arizona, where he was the 2012 College World Series MVP. He was seen as someone with an okay bat, but without a position on draft day. He is still trying to make second base work for him defensively, But his bat has been quite surprising this year, even though it has cooled down recently. This has moved him from organizational filler to an actual prospect who could be a contributor at the big league level. Over the season, split between Charleston and Tampa, he has a .292/.404/.419 line, with 48 walks to 54 strikeouts, and a 138 wRC+. He still has to prove that he can continue this production as he moves up the ladder but so far so good.

http://www.pinstripedbible.com/2013/7/1 ... montgomery

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 7:02 pm

Rosell Herrera, ss, Rockies
Team: low Class A Asheville (South Atlantic)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .538/.667/1.000 (7-for-13), 4 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 5 BB, 0 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Is Herrera having a breakout year or is Asheville distorting his numbers? The answer lies somewhere in the middle. Herrera is having an outstanding year in his second hack at the South Atlantic League, showing improved strike-zone discipline and more game power than ever before. His home-road splits are hard to ignore, as most of his damage (including 11 of his 15 homers) have come at home, but even on the road he’s posted a promising .320/.406/.448 line in 45 games. Plus, he leads the SAL in average (.363) and on-base percentage (.445), and that’s never a bad thing.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... t-the-top/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:43 am

Why doesn’t White Sox second baseman Micah Johnson get more recognition? He seems Billy Hamiltonesque with better power and hit tools.

Bryan Eder
Washington, D.C.

Johnson had a chance to go in the top five rounds of the 2012 draft, but he hurt his elbow and missed much of his junior season at Indiana, dropping him to the White Sox in the ninth round. He’s currently batting .342/.422/.530 at low Class A Kannapolis and leads the minors with 61 steals—12 more than Reds outfield prospect Hamilton, who won the last two minor league steal titles and set a record with 155 swipes last year.

While Johnson’s speed rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, he’s not in the same class as Hamilton, who really deserves a 90. It’s also worth noting that Johnson has been caught stealing 19 times, six more than any other minor leaguer, and his 76 percent rate isn’t overly impressive.

He’s also not in Hamilton’s class as a prospect, though Johnson has a legitimate chance to become a big league regular and is one of the White Sox’s top farmhands. At 22, he’s old for his level, so his offensive performance must be placed in that perspective.

Johnson has some patience and some pop, but he may need to tone down his approach to make consistent contact against better pitching. Scouts don’t love his hands and he has made 31 errors in 116 pro games at second base, so he may wind up in center field, just like Hamilton. He can make at least one claim that Hamilton can’t—Johnson reportedly defeated eventual NBA No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden in a game of one-on-one when both were Indiana prep basketball players.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/a ... shortstop/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:46 am

Max Stassi, C, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 4-4, 2 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB. Stassi has always been lauded for his receiving ability, but he seemingly has found his swing this season in the Texas League. Somewhere, Kevin Goldstein is smiling; .400/.429/.971 with 2 2B and 6 HR in last 35 at-bats.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=21385

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 2:33 pm

Erik Johnson, rhp, White Sox: Johnson had to leave his July 3 start early with a right groin strain and missed most of the month for Triple-A Charlotte. He returned July 28 and has quickly gotten back on point in August, allowing all of three earned runs in 27 innings through four August starts. He held the International League’s most productive offense in check on Monday, tossing eight shutout innings against Durham to out duel Jake Odorizzi and the Bulls 1-0. His control has been strong all season, and true to form he allowed only one walk on Monday, helping him get around seven hits allowed (six of them singles). He struck out five on Monday, completing his eight innings on 105 pitches, and he’s rolled up a 44-13 strikeout-walk ratio in 45 Triple-A innings.

Johnson’s not on the White Sox’s 40-man roster at the moment, so there’s no guarantee he gets a September callup, but the 23-year-old should certainly be in the running for a rotation spot for the rebuilding club in 2014.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... ng-strong/

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 6:48 am

Erik Johnson, Chicago White Sox - As crazy as it sounds when you see it, the 49-74 White Sox actually might not have a rotation spot open for Johnson if they were to give him a look. Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, John Danks, and Hector Santiago aren’t going anywhere, and rookie Andre Rienzo has acquitted himself quite nicely in four starts so far with a 3.70 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. Of course the 23-year old Johnson may force their hand and things could go south quickly for Rienzo given his 1.5 K:BB ratio and 1.1 HR/9 rate.

Johnson has been a standout this year which isn’t exactly hard in a system bereft of talent, but it’s been because of his excellence, not because their top prospect might not make Minnesota’s top 15. Johnson’s 2.74 ERA in High-A last year is his worst mark in four stops the last two years and he’s often had the peripherals to match (his 2.1 K/BB and 1.35 WHIP didn’t marry well with the 2.30 ERA in A-ball, but since then it’s been smooth sailing). This year he has a 2.01 ERA between Double- and Triple-A powered by a 1.59 in the latter. He’s only logged eight starts in Triple-A, but his 24 percent strikeout rate and 3.4 K:BB ratio in the 45 1/3 innings are mighty impressive.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=21585

IBC

IBC White Sox Minor Notes

IBC White Sox Minor Notes

BA Top 100 on the IBC White Sox

Nice way for this underachieving team to start the week ...