2024 White Sox Top 10 Prospects

[Chicago White Sox]

Baseball America releases the updated Sox top 10 tomorrow.  I’ll update this post in the morning with the actual list.

Official List:

1. Montgomery, SS
2. Noah Schultz, LHP
3. Nick Nastrini, RHP
4. Bryan Ramos, 3B
5. Edgar Quero, CA
6. Jacob Gonzalez, SS
7. Jake Eder, LHP
8. Christian Mena, RHP
9. Jonathan Cannon, RHP
10. Peyton Pallette, RHP

Edited December 7, 2023 by Chicago White Sox

[Chicago White Sox]

Here is my predicted top 10:

1. Colson Montgomery, SS
2. Noah Schultz, LHP
3. Edgar Quero, CA
4. Bryan Ramos, 3B
5. Nick Nastrini, RHP
6. Jacob Gonzalez, SS
7. Christian Mena, RHP
8. Jake Eder, LHP
9. Peyton Pallette, RHP
10. Jonathon Cannon, RHP

[Jerksticks]

Just curious.  If we added Mayo & Kjerstad do we then have like 6 top 100 guys and maybe 4 top 50s?

Thats gotta be close to the top system then no?

[caulfield12]

5 hours ago, Jerksticks said:

Just curious.  If we added Mayo & Kjerstad do we then have like 6 top 100 guys and maybe 4 top 50s?

Thats gotta be close to the top system then no?

Not even Top Ten…unless you also trade Robert.

[DirtySox]

Here's some snips of my favorite dudes outside of the obvious top 2.

Quote

4. Bryan Ramos
3B

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

Age: null

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: Ramos signed with the White Sox in 2018 after leaving his native Cuba and began his pro career in the Rookie-level Arizona League the next year at age 17, skipping over the customary assignment to the Dominican Summer League. He has consistently been young for each level, reaching Double-A Birmingham at 20 late in the 2022 season. He missed the early part of 2023 with a groin-related injury, not getting into an official game until May 23. Spending most of the rest of the season at Birmingham, Ramos put up solid numbers with a .271/.369/.457 batting line and 14 home runs in 77 games. His most notable stat at Birmingham was the 11% walk rate, the best of his career to date.

Scouting Report: Ramos has plenty of upside but faces development still ahead. He projects as an above-average hitter who hits for both average and power. He can destroy fastballs, using all fields, but he chases breaking balls down and away and gets busted inside. As he has gradually improved his body, Ramos’ defense at third base has gotten better, projecting now to at least average. Ramos is adept at coming in on balls and making plays down the line, with an above-average arm. His speed has also ticked up, and he’s now close to an average runner. Another difference-maker for Ramos is his makeup and work ethic, which have been described as being off the charts, and he has worked hard on firming his body since initially coming to the U.S.

The Future: Ramos is ready for the challenge of Triple-A as a 22-year-old in 2024. He has shown continual improvement from year to year, and he’s just a year or two away from becoming the White Sox’s regular third baseman.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55

Quote

8. Cristian Mena
RHP

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

Age: null

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Mena signed with the White Sox in 2019 for $250,000, but because of the pandemic did not make his professional debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League until 2021. He has since moved rapidly through the system, spending most of his age-20 season at Double-A Birmingham in 2023 before moving up to Triple-A Charlotte for four starts. He has struck out more than a batter per inning at every assignment in his career, and his 136 strikeouts ranked fourth in the Southern League in 2023. Mena continued missing bats at Triple-A, indicating his bat-missing stuff was not solely a product of the pre-tacked ball used in the SL in the first half.

Scouting Report: Mena thrives with a combination of fastball, curveball and slider, with his heater sitting at 92 mph and touching 95 with riding life. He has feel for the pitch and gets swings-and-misses up in the zone. A plus 12-to-6 curveball with gloveside life has been his bread-and-butter pitch—and probably an overused one early in his career—but now complements it with a slider added to his repertoire in 2022. Mena’s 80-85 mph curveball has 11-to-5 shape and more depth than his slider. He used his slider more than his curveball in 2023, with the pitch averaging 84 mph and touching 87 with more horizontal movement. He’s gone back and forth between his slider being a sweeper and a smaller gyro shape. He needs to be more consistent with the pitch. Mena’s average changeup is too hard at 88-90 mph, but he has good feel for it. Mena consistently shows confidence and good mound presence.

The Future: Mena will return to Triple-A Charlotte in 2024 and could make his major league debut while still just 21 years old. With a complete package of pitches and his desire for continual improvement, he should meet the projection of a No. 4 starter before long.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

 

Edited December 7, 2023 by DirtySox

[Chicago White Sox]

Updated.  Surprised Nastrini is at #3 and Quero is at #5.  Hopefully that means that both Nastrini and Ramos are now in the top 100 mix and not a sign that Quero regressed post trade.

[DirtySox]

Here's Montgomery so we can talk about his defense. Hadn't considered him for a corner OF spot.

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1. Colson Montgomery
SS

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-R

Age: null

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Medium.

Track Record: A three-sport athlete in high school, Montgomery was recruited for basketball by in-state powerhouse Indiana, with the Hoosiers baseball program also wanting his services. In high school, he broke the Southridge basketball career scoring record and was also the quarterback for the football team, but he chose baseball as his profession. The White Sox drafted him 22nd overall in 2021 and signed him for a slot-value $3.027 million. Montgomery was on the fast track through the White Sox system before hitting a speed bump in 2023. He missed most of spring training and much of the first half of the season to a mid-back sprain, but after his return he looked just as good as ever. He hit a combined .287/.455/.484 with eight home runs, 56 walks and 56 strikeouts in 64 games across three levels, finishing the regular season with 37 games at Double-A Birmingham. His most impressive attribute is his outstanding plate discipline, as highlighted by a 15% walk rate at Double-A. Montgomery made up for lost time with a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League. His 20 RBIs tied for fourth in the AFL, while his .936 OPS placed 10th.

Scouting Report: Montgomery is a polished hitter who doesn’t give away at-bats and consistently ranks as having the best strike-zone discipline in the organization. That is evident with his 56 walks in 64 games in 2023. His swing is simple and geared to use all fields, though he occasionally gets pull-oriented and looks to drive balls with authority. Montgomery is beginning to get more balls over the fence thanks to the 20 pounds of muscle he has added since starting his pro career, along with the torque generated by his long levers. He’s a below-average runner down the line who gets to average speed underway. He can go from first to third on hits to the outfield but he rarely looks to steal bases. Scouts are divided on Montgomery’s defense. Some see an above-average defender at shortstop who is athletic and has the good footwork and longer strides making up for the lack of pure speed. He is able to anticipate and read balls off the bat as well as position himself adeptly. Some see a player who might have to move to the outfield because of shaky hands and stiff actions on the infield. Those scouts also see a player with limited range who might fit best in an outfield corner, where his bat would certainly profile. Montgomery flashes an above-average arm and gets extra zip on his throws when necessary. He can also throw accurately without setting his feet.

The Future: With tastes of Double-A ball in the last two seasons, Montgomery is ready to advance to Triple-A Charlotte in 2024. Like other shortstop prospects his size, Montgomery has persistently faced the question of whether he can stay at the position, but he’s passed every test so far. He is the organization’s shortstop of the future, and that future could begin in 2024.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 55

 

Edited December 7, 2023 by DirtySox

[Harold's Leg Lift]

The guy I talked to said he doesn't get to enough balls that an everyday big league SS simply has to get to.  Said he's gonna real good at 3B.   

[bmags]

17 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Updated.  Surprised Nastrini is at #3 and Quero is at #5.  Hopefully that means that both Nastrini and Ramos are now in the top 100 mix and not a sign that Quero regressed post trade.

I wouldn't expect either to be top 100, but regardless we only have two 60 prospects in that top ten, and the rest are going to be in that mix of 55s.

The write-up of Quero was favorable, but there's just not a lot of impact in our system outside top two.

Quote

A well below-average runner, Quero has slowed down as his lower half has gotten thicker. His defense is behind his offense, but he showed improvement in 2023, most notably in terms of his hands, framing and blocking. His throws were unleashed more quickly and were more accurate, and he recorded pop times as low as 1.92 seconds on throws to second base. Quero’s English language fluency has improved and pitchers like throwing to him. His lower half has gotten thicker, so he’ll need to focus on his conditioning to not get too big.

All the type of input we've not really heard from any of our catcher prospects so great news.

also, why we continue to stan for Ramos:

Quote

Ramos is adept at coming in on balls and making plays down the line, with an above-average arm. His speed has also ticked up, and he’s now close to an average runner. Another difference-maker for Ramos is his makeup and work ethic, which have been described as being off the charts, and he has worked hard on firming his body since initially coming to the U.S.

 

[SoCalChiSox]

What were Quero's grades and if some could post Gonzalez and Nastrini's writeups and grades that would be great....thanks

Ramos writeup was encouraging but if CM has to move to 3B, where does that leave Ramos?

Edited December 8, 2023 by SoCalChiSox

[caulfield12]

Where was Eder?

[Sleepy Harold]

4 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Where was Eder?

#7

[Sleepy Harold]

On 12/8/2023 at 6:56 AM, SoCalChiSox said:

What were Quero's grades and if some could post Gonzalez and Nastrini's writeups and grades that would be great....thanks

Ramos writeup was encouraging but if CM has to move to 3B, where does that leave Ramos?

Quero: Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 50

Quote

 

3. Nick Nastrini

RHP

 

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

 

Track Record: The 2023 trade deadline deal that brought Nastrini and Double-A reliever Jordan Leasure from the Dodgers for veteran pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly may turn out to be Chicago’s best trade of the year. Drafted in the fourth round in 2021, Nastrini pitched at Double-A for the Dodgers in 2023 and reached Triple-A Charlotte after the trade. That was an impressive feat for a pitcher who was dropped from the UCLA rotation late in 2021 with a case of the yips. The Dodgers got Nastrini back on track in pro ball, where he has flashed an outstanding fastball with a trio of average to above-average pitches. In his career he has compensated for elevated walk rates—11% for his career—with top-flight strikeout rates, including a mark near 28% in 2023.

 

Scouting Report: Nastrini has a four-pitch arsenal that he can throw for strikes and get swings-and-misses. His riding fastball sits 93-97 mph with tail and run, and he often uses it at the top of the zone. His heater is paired with an above-average 78-80 mph curveball down in the zone. The pitch has 12-to-6 break and some bite. Nastrini’s 87 mph slider has tilt and depth, sometimes playing more like a cutter, and it gets chases from righthanded hitters. He pairs it with a mid-80s changeup that is effective against lefthanders. Nastrini has a polished, repeatable delivery but at times gets too upright and needs to stay consistent.

 

The Future: With the potential to be a No. 3 or 4 starter, Nastrini will likely reach Chicago at some point in 2024. He might have already made his MLB debut late in 2023 had he remained with the contending Dodgers, who suffered a rash of rotation injuries, but regardless he won’t have to wait much longer.

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

 

 

Quote

6. Jacob Gonzalez

SS

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-R

Age: null

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: A top 300 draft prospect at his Los Angeles-area high school, Gonzalez went undrafted because of his strong commitment to Mississippi, where he was a three-year starter at shortstop. He helped the Rebels capture the 2022 College World Series championship. He was twice selected for Team USA’s Collegiate National Team. The White Sox made Gonzalez the 15th overall pick in 2023, sealing the deal with a $3.9 million bonus that was roughly 13% under slot. In his pro debut he reached Low-A Kannapolis, where he hit .207/.328/.261 with 20 walks and 23 strikeouts in 30 games.

Scouting Report: Gonzalez is a patient and selective hitter who pairs a keen eye with solid pure bat-to-ball skills. He walked 15% of the time in his pro debut, which was in line with his career 14.3% rate in three years at Ole Miss. He struck out just 16% of the time in his pro debut. Gonzalez uses an unorthodox swing. He coils his upper half with his shoulders pointed toward first base, while his lower half is in an open stance, causing him to not always get back to an even position on contact. He hit for power in college, peaking at 18 homers as a sophomore, but in his pro debut he looked more like a hit-over-power type. Gonzalez is a well below-average runner, raising questions as to whether he can stay at shortstop despite good instincts and composure. He has solid hands and actions at the position but lacks quickness. He may be better suited for second or third base, where he projects to be an average defender.

The Future: Gonzalez is advanced enough to move to High-A Winston-Salem in 2024. Where he winds up on the field will be determined as he progresses, but with Colson Montgomery the likely long-term shortstop in Chicago he may find a role elsewhere in the infield.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55

 

[SoCalChiSox]

5 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

Quero: Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 50

 

 

 

Thank you!

[Harold's Leg Lift]

Boy that's a writeup on Gonzalez.  Yeesh.  What he has to do is come to camp with a new swing or with a new attitude and willigness to accept coaching especially after getting his s%*# pushed in against low a pitchers.  Now how this new swing will affect his hit over power profile (yikes) remains to be seen.   

[caulfield12]

3 hours ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:

Boy that's a writeup on Gonzalez.  Yeesh.  What he has to do is come to camp with a new swing or with a new attitude and willigness to accept coaching especially after getting his s%*# pushed in against low a pitchers.  Now how this new swing will affect his hit over power profile (yikes) remains to be seen.   

Not only that...but Montgomery increasingly being considered a future 3B instead of SS also hurts. Or even a corner outfielder.

Then you're also looking at Ramos at second (if Montgomery shifts) and Gonzalez with nowhere left to go.

Just trying hard to imagine someone with limited athleticism we repeatedly keep reading about being more than a utility type.

Baffling baffling pick...

[Timmy U]

4 hours ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:

Boy that's a writeup on Gonzalez.  Yeesh.  What he has to do is come to camp with a new swing or with a new attitude and willigness to accept coaching especially after getting his s%*# pushed in against low a pitchers.  Now how this new swing will affect his hit over power profile (yikes) remains to be seen.   

I think it is a stretch to call a guy who hit .207 “hit over power.” That is until you see the .261 slug.

[bmags]

1 hour ago, caulfield12 said:

Not only that...but Montgomery increasingly being considered a future 3B instead of SS also hurts. Or even a corner outfielder.

Then you're also looking at Ramos at second (if Montgomery shifts) and Gonzalez with nowhere left to go.

Just trying hard to imagine someone with limited athleticism we repeatedly keep reading about being more than a utility type.

Baffling baffling pick...

This literally is like the least concerning part

[Timmy U]

28 minutes ago, bmags said:

This literally is like the least concerning part

Absolutely. If Jacob Gonzalez hits, they’ll find a place to put him. If he doesn’t hit, I am not sure he has another tool to even be a utility guy.

[oldsox]

I don't understand how Gonzalaz can be rated higher than Rodriquez, and even Burrowes, for that matter.

[SoCalChiSox]

Law said at the draft Gonzalez was the safest of picks so where's the safety? 

[Timmy U]

3 hours ago, SoCalChiSox said:

Law said at the draft Gonzalez was the safest of picks so where's the safety? 

Apparently, his evaluation may have been off.

[caulfield12]

11 hours ago, oldsox said:

I don't understand how Gonzalaz can be rated higher than Rodriquez, and even Burrowes, for that matter.

Mid first round draft picks are almost never going to fall off any team's Top 10 lists...based on just a couple of months of play after a LONG collegiate season.