2023 IBC White Sox

[Padres]

.C - Edgar Quero# .231/.326/.395, 14 HR, 99 OPS+ (AV @ C) [BA #78/100, MLB #86/100, FG #56/100]
... Blake Sabol* .234/.302/.381, 10 HR, 88 OPS+ (AV @ C)
... Dominic 22-Keegan [BA TBR #29, FG TBR #50, MLB TBR #23]
... Ronny Hernández

1B - Mark Vientos* .228/.298/.421, 19 HR, 99 OPS+ (VG @ 1B, AV @ 3B, LF) [BA NYM #, MLB NYM #]
... Hunter 21-Goodman .255/.304/.457, 23 HR, 94 OPS+ (AV @ 1B, FR @ C) [BA COL #10, FG COL #8, MLB COL #12]

2B - Miguel Vargas .265/.333/.424, 17 HR, 105 OPS+ (VG @ 1B, AV @ 2B, 3B, FR @ LF)
... Hoa Yu 21-Lee .231/.303/.349, 78 OPS+ (AV @ 2B, 3B, FR @ SS) [BA DET #9, MLB DET #8, FG DET #11]
... Loidel 22-Chapelli Jr [BA CWS #, MLB CWS #28, BP CWS #]

3B - Pedro Leon .204/.311/.354, 12 HR, 20 SB, 84 OPS+ (AV @ 2B, 3B, CF, VG @ RF, FR @ SS) [BA HOU #6, MLB HOU #4, FG HOU #19, BP HOU #8]
... Bryan Ramos .223/.285/.375, 12 HR, 81 OPS+ (AV @ 2B, 3B) [FG #41/100, BA CWS #3, FG CWS #2, MLB CWS #6, BP CWS #3]

SS - Lenyn Sosa .245/.286/.378, 15 HR, 83 OPS+ (AV @ 2B, 3B, SS) [BA CWS #10, FG CWS #7, MLB CWS #11, BP CWS #11]
... Jose Rodriguez .245/.286/.376, 11 HR, 19 SB, 82 OPS+ (AV @ 2B, FR @ SS) [BA CWS #9, FG CWS #9, MLB CWS #9, BP CWS #8]
... Max 21-Muncy .184/.255/.295, 10 HR, 57 OPS+ (VG @ SS) [BA OAK#6, MLB OAK #6, BP OAK #6]
... Ryan 22-Burrowes [BA CWS #, FG CWS #10, MLB CWS #15, BP CWS #]

LF - Edward Olivares .263/.320/.404, 10 HR, 98 OPS+ (AV @ LF, FR @ CF, RF)
... Jordan 22-Beck* [MLB #88/100]
... Daylen 21-Lile*
... Mason 21-Auer .220/.283/.348, 21 HR, 79 OPS+ (VG @ RF, AV @ CF)[ [BA TBR #27, FG TBR #13, MLB TBR #6, BP TBR #13]

CF - Jorge Barrosa# .245/.309/.352, 14 SB, 95 OPS+ (VG @ LF, RF, AV @ CF) [BA ARZ #10, FG ARZ #26, MLB ARZ #13, BP ARZ #10]
... Gavin 22-Cross [BA #97/100, BP #70/101, BA KCR #1, MLB #62/100, BP KCR #1]
... Jacob 22-Burke [MLB CWS #29]

RF - Jack Suwinski* .243/.321/.427, 22 HR, 104 OPS+ (AV @ LF, RF, FR @ CF)
... Jacob 22-Melton* [BA HOU #, MLB HOU #, FG HOU #10]

DH - Gavin Sheets* .244/.303/.415, 18 HR, 97 OPS+ (AV @ 1B, FR @ LF, RF)
... Moises Gomez .194/.258/.361, 17 HR, 71 OPS+ (EX @ RF, VG @ LF, FR @ CF)

SP - Zack Greinke 4.19 ERA, 86/31 K/BB (139.7 IP), 104 ERA+
... Max Meyer 4.05, 91/38 (91.3) 101 ERA+ DL until late-2023/TJ [BA #71/100, MLB #67/100, FG #83/100, BP #72/101, BA MIA #2]
... Tommy Henry 4.19, 109/46 (137.5) 99 ERA+
... Reese Olson 4.19, 119/56 (111.7) 98 ERA+ [FG #87/100, BA DET #11, MLB DET #9]
... Jhony Brito 4.20, 77/29 (105.0) 98 ERA+ [BA NYY #28, MLB NYY #22]
... Dane Dunning 4.73, 122/48 (133.3) 91 ERA+
... Casey Mize 4.60, 81/30 (107.7) 90 ERA+ DL until late-2023/TJ
... Brent Headrick* 4.50, 90/36 (88.0) 90 ERA+ [BA MIN #14, MLB MIN #22, FG MIN #20]
... Hogan Harris* 4.20, 79/37 (70.7) 94 ERA+ [BA OAK #14]
... Michael 21-McGreevy 4.21, 85/44 (136.2) 93 ERA+ [BA STL #10, FG STL #, MLB STL #, BP STL #]
... Sean 21-Burke 4.68, 100/48 (102.0) 92 ERA+ [BA CWS #5, FG CWS #13, MLB CWS #8, BP CWS #10]
... Brent Honeywell, Jr. 4.30, 44/20 (58.7) 92 ERA+
... Dax Fulton* 4.49, 98/44 (106.3) 91 ERA+ DL until early-2024/non-TJ elbow surgery [BA MIA #8, MLB MIA #8]
... Jonathan 22-Cannon [BA CWS #, FG CWS #18, MLB CWS #13]
... Noah 22-Schultz* [BA #36/100, MLB #65/100, BA CWS #4, FG CWS #7, MLB CWS #3, BP CWS #6]
... Justin 22-Campbell DL until late-2023/non-TJ elbow surgery [BA CLE #13, FG CLE #11, BP CLE #11]
... Jordan 21-Wicks* 4.47, 83/35 (100.7) 90 ERA+ [FG #60/100, BA CHC #11, FG CHC #4, MLB CHC #5, BP CHC #8]
... Cristian Mena 5.00, 89/43 (99.0) 86 ERA+ [BA CWS #6,FG CWS #11 MLB CWS #10, BP CWS #5]
... Tyler 22-Schweitzer* [BA CWS #27, MLB CWS #25]
... Jordy Vargas DL until early 2025/TJ elbow surgery [BA COL #4, FG COL #4, MLB COL #17}

BP - Garrett Crochet* 3.70, 61/28 (48.7) 117 ERA+
... Eric 21-Torres* 3.91, 67/17 (53.0) 111 ERA+ [BA LAA #27, MLB LAA #28]
... Nate Lavender*
... Adrian Hernandez 4.13, 62/27 (52.3) 103 ERA+ [MLB TOR #24, BP TOR #19]
... Joel Payamps 4.09, 51/19 (61.7) 100 ERA+
... Colby White 3.98, 51/27 (40.7) 99 ERA+ DL until mid-2023/TJ [BA TBR #14, FG TBR #11, MLB TBR #26]
... Jordan 21-Leasure 4.59, 43/21 (51.0) 91 ERA+
... Devin Sweet 4.58, 56/22 (59.0) 87 ERA+

CL - Kirby Yates 3.45, 39/12 (33.1) 121 ERA+

ZiPS Projections
Likely 2023 draftee roster

[Padres]

Barring any pre-season trades or significant injuries it looks like the 2023 IBC White Sox will start the season with the following line-up and 26 man roster:

LF - Andrew Benintendi* .274/.352/.420, 14 HR, 13 SB, 114 OPS+ (2 @ LF)
2B - Luis Guillorme* .259/.345/.334, 92 OPS+ (2 @ 2B)
3B - Miguel Vargas .265/.333/.424, 17 HR, 105 OPS+ (-1 @ 3B)
RF - Jack Suwinski* .243/.321/.427, 22 HR, 104 OPS+ (-5 @ LF)
DH - Bryan de la Cruz .264/.313/.420, 14 HR, 101 OPS+ (-6 @ CF)
CF - James Outman* .226/.303/.423, 21 HR, 95 OPS+ (10 @ CF)
.C - Gabriel Moreno .262/.320/.388, 97 OPS+ (2 @ C)
1B - Spencer Horwitz* .242/.322/.380, 10 HR, 95 OPS+ (4 @ 1B)/Elehuris Montero .253/.313/.434, 18 HR, 95 OPS+ (-3 @ 3B)
SS - Lenyn Sosa .245/.286/.378, 15 HR, 83 OPS+ (2 @ SS)

SP - Tommy Henry 4.19, 109/46 (137.5) 99 ERA+
... MacKenzie Gore* 4.17 ERA, 90/38 K/BB (86.3 IP) 98 ERA+
... Reese Olson 4.19, 119/56 (111.7) 98 ERA+
... Jhony Brito 4.20, 77/29 (105.0) 98 ERA+
... Freddy Tarnok 4.23, 91/41 (95.7) 94 ERA+

BP - Eric Torres* 3.91, 67/27 (53.0) 111 ERA+
... Nic Enright 3.55, 65/16 (58.3) 115 ERA+
... Garrett Acton 3.80, 71/27 (64.0) 105 ERA+
... Adrian Hernandez 4.13, 62/27 (52.3) 103 ERA+

CL - Dylan Lee* 3.35, 68/14 (60.0) 133 ERA+

Spt SP/LR/MU - Hogan Harris* 4.20, 79/37 (70.7) 94 ERA+

Bench:

.C - Jakson Reetz .225/.304/.390, 12 HR, 90 OPS+ (0 @ C)
3B/COF - Bryan Ramos .223/.285/.375, 12 HR, 81 OPS+ (3 @ 3B)
SS/2B - Jose Rodriguez .245/.286/.376, 11 HR, 19 SB, 82 OPS+ (-4 @ SS)
OF/DH - Edward Olivares .263/.320/.404, 10 HR, 98 OPS+ (1 @ RF)
... Dominic Canzone* .252/.304/.412, 12 HR, 95 OPS+ (-6 @ RF)

Clearly no ace to start the season but I do have the depth to withstand injuries that always seem to occur and SP will get bolstered whenever Max Meyer and Casey Mize return from TJ. The BP is good and the BP will get bolstered with return from TJ for Garrett Crochet and Colby White.

Still waiting to Benintendi's ZiPS (no power but should be decent OBP and D). I really tried to improve D, my overall team OBP and my general hitting against RHP - which was terrible last year. I will have to D replace Suwinski in games I am leading but he is my only real weak D player (according to Dan this year's ZiPS D projection is based on his minor league fielding stats because in reality his D was outstanding in the majors last season).

Going to be more losses then wins particularly in the formidable ALC but the team is moving in the right direction while waiting for some of the young guys to develop ...

[Royals]

Benintendi was posted on twitter after signing. Here is his line.

.274/.352/.420, 114 OPS+, (2 @ LF)

[Padres]

The IBC has nearly hit the midway point and the IBC White Sox actually and surprisingly have a shot at a wildcard position. Sitting at 41-38 (4th place in the ALC and a staggering 11 games back of the mighty Guardians), they are only 2.5 games back of the last wild card team. The White Sox have no real star and a less then mediocre starting rotation.but have played well in one-run games (17-10) and the bull pen has been solid as exhibited by having the best Inherited Run % in the league at .223 (25/112).

Offensive leaders are Moreno at BA and OBP (.295 and .359), Sheets at SPC (.476) while Vargas and Outman are tied for the most HR (14). Benintendi leads the team in RBI and SB (51 and 11). Moreover the position players have stayed healthy and 5 players, Benintendi, Leon, Outman, Sosa and Vargas have started all 79 games. Moreover, the offense has just been a balanced healthy bunch of guys playing hard and probably overachieving.

Injuries have impacted the pitching with Meyer, Mize and White still not available while Crochett and Lee have missed significant time. A relief pitcher, Torres, leads the team in wins (6). Swingman Harris leads the squad in ERA (1.97) followed by 7 relief pitchers. The starter with the best ERA is Dunning (4.37) and he is also the starter with the most wins (5) and IP (92.2). Olson leads the team in K (87). Lee is the team leader in saves (9) while Hernandez is the team leader in holds (12). Hernandez and Herget lead the team in appearances (40). The White Sox have the 2nd lowest number of QS (29) in the league which again reflects the strength of their pitching resides in the bullpen. The team WHIP (1.28) is just about league average: 1.27.

Defensively the team has been statistically in the upper 1/3 of the league this season ... a vast improvement over the past couple of seasons.

We'll see what the second half of the season brings. It is unlikely there will be any big trades and there is a real chance the bull pen burns out. An injury - particularly to Moreno or Benintendi or any of the 5 healthy starting pitchers - would have a serious negative impact. Or maybe the team will continue to be greater than the individual players appear to be, i.e., overachieve - and sneak into the playoffs ...

[Padres]

The IBC has nearly hit the midway point and the IBC White Sox actually and surprisingly have a shot at a wildcard position. Sitting at 41-38 (4th place in the ALC and a staggering 11 games back of the mighty Guardians), they are only 2.5 games back of the last wild card team. The White Sox have no real star and a less then mediocre starting rotation.but have played well in one-run games (17-10) and the bull pen has been solid as exhibited by having the best Inherited Run % in the league at .223 (25/112).

Offensive leaders are Moreno at BA and OBP (.295 and .359), Sheets at SPC (.476) while Vargas and Outman are tied for the most HR (14). Benintendi leads the team in RBI and SB (51 and 11). Moreover the position players have stayed healthy and 5 players, Benintendi, Leon, Outman, Sosa and Vargas have started all 79 games. Moreover, the offense has just been a balanced healthy bunch of guys playing hard and probably overachieving.

Injuries have impacted the pitching with Meyer, Mize and White still not available while Crochett and Lee have missed significant time. A relief pitcher, Torres, leads the team in wins (6). Swingman Harris leads the squad in ERA (1.97) followed by 7 relief pitchers. The starter with the best ERA is Dunning (4.37) and he is also the starter with the most wins (5) and IP (92.2). Olson leads the team in K (87). Lee is the team leader in saves (9) while Hernandez is the team leader in holds (12). Hernandez and Herget lead the team in appearances (40). The White Sox have the 2nd lowest number of QS (29) in the league which again reflects the strength of their pitching resides in the bullpen. The team WHIP (1.28) is just about league average: 1.27.

Defensively the team has been statistically in the upper 1/3 of the league this season ... a vast improvement over the past couple of seasons.

We'll see what the second half of the season brings. It is unlikely there will be any big trades and there is a real chance the bull pen burns out. An injury - particularly to Moreno or Benintendi or any of the 5 healthy starting pitchers - would have a serious negative impact. Or maybe the team will continue to be greater than the individual players appear to be, i.e., overachieve - and sneak into the playoffs ...

Immediately after I penned and published the above somewhat optimistic mid-season recap, this team went on a season long 9 game losing streak which fortunately ended last evening with a solid 7-2 victory over the Blue Jays. Seeing that even my remote shot at earning a wild card slot was ended for this season I begun to adjust the roster for 2024 and beyond through a few transactions and trades. Cionel Perez, signed as a short term emergency bull pen replacement for injuried Lee and Crochett, is having a lousy real life season and got hurt himself so he was an easy release which gave me room to sign a young lefty in the Giants organization who, among over things, pitched an immaculate inning earlier this season (https://www.mlb.com/video/hayden-wynja- ... ate-inning) that I had been following: Hayden 22-Wynja. I have been wanting to get Jonathan 22-Cannon, the White Sox pitcher having a solid first full season and selected to pitch in the upcoming futures game, for quite a while. On June 5 I sent a text to Pat offering OF Hector Rodriquez for him. Never heard back until July 5 when he responded "Alright Jim. Rodriguez is playing well and Cannon is in the futures game." And I got my pitcher ... Last winter Nils drafted a middle infielder whom I coveted just in front of me: Ryan 22-Burrowes. In the meantime he had picked OF Terrell 21-Tatum who is having a solid season and is a particularly good defensive CF who will likely play RF if he gets promoted and Robert is on the real life White Sox so when Nils offered those two for Dylan Lee I jumped on it after I made certain that Nils knew Lee was still on the real life DL. Got my young middle infielder and an OF to replace Rodriquez. I had to jettison a player to keep my roster legal so it time to bid adieu to 1B/3B Elehuris Montero whom I have been patient with but he is not hitting well in either the IBC or in real life and is a less then average defender. Finally today I released OF Wilfred Veras, whom I mat resign yet again, and picked up a lefty SP in the twins organization who is having a solid year at AAA as potential insurance for this season and maybe a rotation piece next season: Brent Headrick .

I consider Moreno, Vargas, Outman, Suwinski & Meyer as the core I am building around so I am inclined to hold onto them. Will probably be doing some roster churning around them though ...

[Padres]

Truly wasn't expecting this much turnover in my roster this soon. One of my long term needs has been a productive 1B - even if it is a platoon ... I haven't really had one since Chris Carter had his crazy SIM year for me in 2013 (42 HR, 125 RBI, 92 BB, .572 SLG%). Since then , 1B has been a rotating position filled by stalwarts such as Bobby Bradley (including his 250 K year in 2016), and most recently John Nogowski, Seth Beer and Greg Bird. Hopefully I at least partially addressed that need this weekend acquiring a player who should be at least the strong side of a platoon and given that he is rated VG at 1B - perhaps a reliable full time 1B .

Arguably MacKenzie Gore was the best healthy starting pitcher on this year's roster (4.56, 88/42 K/BB (94.2 IP) resulting in a 5-7 record in 18 GS). Ironically in his last start for the White Sox, Gore picked up a win against the team he was traded to, the Blue Jays. He likely would have slotted in behind Max Meyer as my #2 SP in 2024. But I had a couple of strong offers for him and settled on the one receiving 1B/3B Mark Vientos, SP Michael 21-McGreevy, 3B/2B/SS Chase 22-Meidroth while releasing middle infielder Adrian Placenia (DNP-no projection) and 1B/COF Spencer Horwitz (disappointing .138/.217/.239 in 120 PA). For the remainder of this season, Freddy Tarnok will step into Gore's rotation slot as he just came off the IL and Vientos will become part of my corner infield rotation at least starting all games vs RHP at 1B. Long term I do believe in Vientos ...He is young, hits - and hits with power at AAA and wasn't (IMHO) used well by the Mets in the majors this year. I do like what I have seen of Meidroth when I have gone to Sea Dogs games. McGreevy should be in play for a back of the rotation slot in 2024.

Also had some discussion about trading LF Andrew Benintendi (who projects at .274/.352/.420, 14 HR, 13 SB, 114 OPS+ (AV @ LF) and RP Nic Enright (who projects at 3.55, 65/16 (58.3) 115 ERA+) but they both remain with the White Sox - but are available - for now.

[Padres]

Another significant trade addressing needs more for the long term but with mostly positive implications on this year's team as well. What is gained is an improved situation at 1B and C, an upgrade in overall team power as well as more functional, much enhanced roster flexibility. Andrew Benintendi leaves the team having started all 92 games in LF having played error free defense and leading the team in RBI (55), BB (46) and SB (12). He will be missed as I expect for the remainder of this season Edward Olivares and Jorge Barrosa will see more AB. Nic Enright was part of a bullpen which was effective the first half of the season as he delivered a solid 3.27 ERA and 26/7 K/BB in 22 IP with a solid .143 IR%. Chase 22-Meidroth never even had time to unpack his bags.

Joining the team is Blake Sabol, a 25 year young lefty swinging C/LF/1B, who represents a vast improvement over former back-up - and now released - C Jakson Reetz as he will allow fellow C Gabriel Moreno to occasionally rest against RHP. Sabol's ZiPs this season is only .234/.302/.381, 10 HR, 88 OPS+ (AV @ C) but since he is hitting .259/.319/.444 with 10 Hr already and a 109 OPS+ in "real life" it is reasonable to expect an improved projection next season. Also coming aboard as a right handed compliment to newly acquired Mark Vientos is a 23 year young power-hitting 1B/LF/C Hunter Goodman who has a ZiPs of .255/.304/.457, 23 HR, 94 OPS+ (AV @ 1B, FR @ C). Again in "real life" Goodman keeps chugging along in Hartford (AA). His bat and positional flexibility may make him a potential “Super Utility” player in the majors. The right-handed Goodman is second in the Eastern League in HR (18) and doubles (21) and the leader in RBI (63). Having 3 Catchers on the roster allows any one of to pinch hit when appropriate and having both Sabol and Vientos 1B eligible allows me to stack two strong southpaw bats against RHP at 1B and 3B when appropriate. Next season, Goodman will also get a defensive rating for LF ... Both Garrett Crochet and Colby White will be coming off the DL soon so they will go into the vacated RP. While 2B/3B/SS Cody 21-Morrisette is most likely a downgrade from Meidroth, neither one would have played for this year's team ...

[Padres]

Two pitchers picked up, two pitchers jettisoned, and a trade involving one of my "core" players change the completion of the 2023 White Sox but enhance the future.

Due to injuries (most recently Tommy Henry and Freddy Tarnok) in addition to rehabbing pitchers not returning yet (Max Meyer, Casey Mize, Dax Fulton, Garrett Crochet and Colby White), I had to release a couple of pitchers who aren't having very good real life seasons: Garrett Acton who was DFA'd and has not been signed and Norge Vera who is experiencing a nightmare of a minor league season. Picked up by the Pale Hose were Brent Honeywell, who will take his projected 92 ERA+ into the rotation this season and figures to be a candidate for long relief/mop up in next year's bull pen, and Jesse Scholtens, who will replace Acton in this year's pen and likely doesn't figure into the 2024 roster.

As for the trade ... I traded a very good young Catcher for a a very good younger Catcher. Gone is Gabriel Moreno with his VG D and his projected 97 OPS+. So far for the 2023 IBC White Sox he had performed well with a team leading .277 BA as part of his .277/.340/.345 slash line in 98 games (82 started). He only had 1 HR but he did steal 8 bases. His .998 fielding % was third in the league and he lead the league in assists and DPs as a Catcher. In his place will go 20 year switch hitting Edgar Quero with his projected 99 OPS+ and definitely more power though likely lesser defense. He is a top 100 ranked prospect by all the major sources. He will join the line-up upon arrival. Also picked up in the trade was Jody Vargas, a young Pitcher who was having a efficient season across two levels of the minor leagues before succumbing to TJ three weeks ago. Yep, another TJ on the roster ... And I picked up the Royals Number 1 draft pick in what should be a deep draft.

Oh yeah, one other addition was picking up OF Will Brennan who is playing decently in real life for the Guardians, and very well defensively in RF. Gone is utilty infielder Cody 21-Morrisette who wasn't here long ... did not play this season for the IBC White Sox and would have been a likely draft cut in 2024. Brennan really has no power and isn't a big OBP guy so he probably will be a draft cut as well ...

[Padres]

Another trade and some subsequent releases ... the trade does not improve the 2023 IBC White Sox but does, I believe, add value for the future renditions of the team.. For the second day in a row a "core" member of the team departed.

The player leaving is 26 year young CF James Outman who has been on the team since early March 2022. At the time of the trade he has played in all 121 games this season hitting .222/.290/.425 leading the team with 22 Hr, 4 triples, 64 runs, 66 RBI, 41 BB, 163 K and tied for the lead with 11 SB. Defensively he had played all 3 OF positions and made 0 errors. He was outstanding and will likely be even better next year and for few years to come. I honestly did not believe I would trade him. Switch hitter Jorge Barrosa and his projected 95 OPS+ will pick the majority of the CF duties for the IBC White Sox the remainder of this season.

Joining the squad are Joel Payamps, Daylen 21-Lile, Yonathan Perlaza and Jordan 22-Beck. Although Beck has played all 3 OF positions I see him a middle of the order COF for the IBC White Sox for years to come - though as a "22", he is draft roster eligible for another year if his projection is not good next season. Right now the 22 year young OF is hitting .278/.373/.529 with 23 HR and 17 SB having played 103 games in AA/A+ in 2023. As I told Z, I have always liked Lile more then most and I am glad to see him doing well post-TJ. He probably won't get a projection next season but I have plenty of OFs who will so I could afford to carry him as an inactive in 2024 if necessary. So far this season the 20 year young LF/CF is hitting .271/.356/.461 with 8 HR and 22 SB in 87 games at the A+/A level. Perlaza is having a terrific year stat-wise at AAA [.296/.389/.560 with 18 HR and 10 SB in 90 games] which should lead to a better projection next season - this season his SIM line is .233/.300/.390, 14 HR with AV @ LF/RF. Not sure if the 24 year young switch hitter has a long future with the team or not ... Finally in an effort to bolster the bull pen both this year and in the future, we picked up "old man" (29) Joel Payamps who is enjoying a real life awesome year with a 1.79 ERA, 62/11 K/BB, 0.867 WHIP in 55.1 IP so he should have an improved projection in 2024.

We also traded our #4 pick in 2024 but with Beck I have 10 "22" players (after a cut) and having acquired the Royals #1, I could trade a pick.

Released were OF Will Brennan, P Jesse Scholtens and P Ashton 22-Izzi ... none of whom played an inning for the team yet ...

[Padres]

Another trade and a few signings/releases - probably the last in season tinkering done with the 2023 IBC White Sox ... the signings are an attempt to put the best foot forward for the remainder of this season while the trade was definitely is looking 2024 and beyond.

In the trade I acquired 2B Hao Yu 21-Lee who has a projection this year of .231/.303/.349, 78 OPS+ (AV @ 2B, 3B, FR @ SS) but I expect a better projection(s) in future years. BA recently wrote, "Lee is an advanced contact hitter with a quick, simple swing. He primarily hits the ball on the ground and doesn’t have much power, but he can shoot balls into the gaps and leg out doubles with his above-average speed. He has a chance to be an everyday second baseman who hits for average and steals bases." In real life with Lux returning next year for Dodgers (and Muncy and Taylor still there) there is a good chance Miguel Vargas slides back to 3B throwing Lee into competion for the 2B slot. Traded was OF/DH Bryan de la Cruz who was projected to hit .264/.313/.420, 14 HR, 101 OPS+ (AV @ LF, RF, FR @ CF) in the IBC this season. In 110 games (391 AB) , he hit .205/.287/.332 with 10 HRs for the IBC White Sox ... underachieving for the second year in a row both his projection and real life experience. Hopefully a move away from Guaranteed Rate will do him well.

To shore up my SP for the rest of the season I signed Zack Greinke. His 4.19 ERA, 86/31 K/BB (139.7 IP), 104 ERA+ immediately makes him my staff "ace" for this season though it is unlikely he will remain with the team in 2024. SP Kohl 21-Simas, who enjoyed awesome 2022 minor league success but hasn't fared as well in 2023 was released.

Today I signed OF Moises Gomez for his second go round with IBC White Sox. His projection is only .194/.258/.361, 17 HR, 71 OPS+ (EX @ RF, VG @ LF, FR @ CF) but I plan to platoon him with Gavin Sheets on the small side of the DH platoon and occasional defense replacement in the COF slots for the remainder of this season. His low OBP will probably make him a draft release in the future but maybe he'll hit a few long balls in our remaining 2023 games. Released was OF Terrell 21-Tatum who enjoyed a hot first half of the 2023 minor league season but has cooled off in the later stages of the season. He likley would have been a draft release as well.

[Padres]

Once again, "Another trade and a few signings/releases ..." In fact, other then a season review, this will likely be the last post about roster building/shuffling concerning the 2023 IBC White Sox ... who are actually playing decent ball going 7-3 in their last ten games.

The trade was certainly looking forward as I traded down in the 5th round of the upcoming to acquire lefty RP Nate Lavender who has performed well in the real life Mets minors but has no current projection. The 23 year young has a 2.77 ERA, 74/25 K/BB, 1.15 WHIP across 48.2 IP in AAA/AA and is looking for his first ZiPs projection in 2024. He joins recent signees RH Kirby Yates (who will finish this season an our CL), 27 year young Devin Sweet (who has a projection and will finish this season as a RH set-up), and 25 year young RH Jordan Leasure as potential 2024 bull pen fixtures.

Also signed was Catcher Ronny Hernandez whom the MLB pipeline recently slotted him at No. 28 for the system during their latest rankings reshuffle — which speaks to how good he was in 2023.The 18-year-old made his Stateside debut in the Arizona Complex League this summer, where he absolutely crushed it. He slashed .338/.420/.493 with a .923 OPS over 172 plate appearances in 45 games. The lefty has a quick swing while also demonstrating some patience at the plate, drawing 22 free passes and striking out only 35 times. The Sox assigned Hernandez to Kannapolis on August 23, but he remained on the team’s developmental list, making the move a meritorious and training decision. At his age, being in A-ball in any form, taking part in practices and getting a feel for the culture change, is an enormous honor. The youngster is worth keeping an eye on, with the potential for a promising future.

Releases included OF Wilfred Veras which I do regret; P Freddy Tarnock who just can't seem to stay healthy, OF Yonathan Perlaza - who would have been a likely draft cut, P Jimmy Hergert - who was the team leader in saves but has had a terrible real life season and certainly will not project as well next season and finally OF Oscar Colas ... Colas is the embodiment of this whole real life White Sox disaster as, given his play in Cuba, Japan and across various levels of the minors, should been better but he was train wreck as hitter, a fielder and base runner. Even his strong arm showed no control and the mental mistakes he made proved to on-going and increasingly worse. Very sad ...

[Padres]

2024 will be a 3rd location in the IBC for this GM having joined the IBC on May 13, 2006 taking over the Mets where I stayed through the end of the 2008 season. In 2009 through 2023 I was in Chicago (AL) where the early years were good but the last few I seemed to be shuffling and scuffling through several rebuilds.  2024 will find us in San Diego after a 3 team mini-draft and with a different approach.  Before I move on to "America' Finest City", a quick look back at the 2023 IBC White Sox.

The 2023 White Sox ended up 73-88, .457, 4th in the ALC (after being at 32-28, .533 early, went 42-60 the rest of season including a 7-3 finish).  Dane Dunning established a new franchise record for HR's allowed: 44.  Dane went elsewhere in the mini-draft so he isn't a threat to break his own record in 2024.  All my franchise seasonal statistical records can be viewed at viewtopic.php?t=6118 ... Two players played in all 162 games for the 2023 IBC White Sox: the recently traded Miguel Vargas as well as Lenyn Sosa.  Vargas led the squad with 25 HR, 83 RBI, 78 runs, 23 doubles, 59 BB and 649 AB.  Edward Olivares, who is currently slated to the 2024 Padres primary DH, led the team (min 300 AB) with a .265 BA while Jack Suwinski, who is currently slated to be the 2024 Padres primary LF, led in OBP and SLG% at .339/.412.  Pedro Leon, who also went elsewhere in the mini-draft, led the team with 27 SB, 8 HBP, 3 triples and a wholesome 192 K.  Moreover, the 2023 IBC White Sox were pretty much in the bottom third of the AL in most batting categories - except they led the league with 1,528 K.

Defensively, the 2023 IBC White Sox were pretty much around the middle of the league in team defense although Suwinski was tied for the league lead in OF Assists at 11 and Dunning was tied for league lead in runners caught stealing at 13.

A number of injuries to pitchers beset the team in 2023 and particularly in the second half.  Dunning led the team with 184.1 IP while also leading the AL in HR's allowed.  Jhony Brito had the most victories with 10as well as quality starts at 16 and he threw the only complete game the 2023 IBC White Sox had.  Reece Olson led with 33 games started, 174 K, 15 losses, 77 BB.  Adrian Hernandez was the leader in appearances with 81 and with 22 holds. Jimmy Herget led with 14 saves.  Ironically, Zack Grienke and Brent Honeywell both pitched well as injury replacement SP for the team in the last few weeks of the 2023 season and neither are likely to pitch at all for any team in the 2024 IBC season.   The 2023 IBC White Sox were near the bottom of the second third statically in the AL in most categories.  For what it's worth, not one of these pitchers is on the 2024 Padres.

And so we bid "ado" to the windy city - and onto So Cal ...