White Sox Projected Rotations

[Chicago White Sox]

So wanted to get people’s thoughts on what they think our rotations throughout the org will look like come Opening Day.  Here are my best guesses at the moment:

White Sox:

1. Davis Martin
2. Jonathan Cannon
3. Drew Thorpe
4. Sean Burke
5. Bryse Wilson

AAA:

1. Jairo Iriarte
2. Mason Adams
3. Ky Bush*
4. Nick Nastrini
5. Wikelman Gonzalez

AA:

1. Noah Schultz*
2. Juan Carela
3. Riley Gowens
4. Tyler Schweitzer*
5. Aldrin Batista

High A:

1. Hagen Smith*
2. Grant Taylor
3. Seth Keener
4. Tanner McDougal
5. Lucas Gordon*

Low A:

1. Ricardo Brizuela
2. Justin Sinibaldi*
3. Mason Moore
4. Luis Reyes
5. Christian Oppor*

[Chicago White Sox]

I will admit I really struggled on that Kannapolis rotation.  There are a ton of guys who could theoretically slot into spots and I don’t who they feel is ready to move from the ACL (or even DSL) and which college relievers they just drafted who they plan to convert to starting roles.  I also have no idea what’s going on with Lecombre and if he could possibly factor into the mix.

[Chicago White Sox]

Regardless, that is some serious minor league pitching depth and I’m not even showing everyone.  Also, it shows why adding more SP prospects at this point is diminishing returns.  Yes injuries will happen, but there are other guys who can easily claim those innings.  From here on out, our focus should be on adding high ceiling bats.

[WestEddy]

24 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Low A:

1. Ricardo Brizuela
2. Justin Sinibaldi*
3. Mason Moore
4. Luis Reyes
5. Christian Oppor*

Oppor seemed to have a hard time of it in the Complex League. Jake Peppers could probably return to the Kannapolis rotation to cut his walk rate. But yeah, there's so many interesting arms in the system. Bockenstedt might just be depth who tops out in AA, but I didn't hear anything about Tommy Vail having a long term issue. Vail probably starts out at winston-salem. 

[FloydBannister1983]

46 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Regardless, that is some serious minor league pitching depth and I’m not even showing everyone.  Also, it shows why adding more SP prospects at this point is diminishing returns.  Yes injuries will happen, but there are other guys who can easily claim those innings.  From here on out, our focus should be on adding high ceiling bats.

So we are back to this now…. Great.

 

 

[Timmy U]

Good list. I think you are too aggressive on Wikelman Gonzalez (I think they have said he is going to be in AA). Also, a little aggressive on Batista. I bet he spends the first half in that jam-packed W-S rotation. I bet they sign some AAAA guy for rotation depth in Charlotte. But this is a very good list.

Kanny’s rotation is a real head scratcher. I think Reyes could see time there as well as Oppor, LaCombe, etc., plus I will be interested to see whether Yohemy Nolasco is back.

[WestEddy]

9 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

Good list. I think you are too aggressive on Wikelman Gonzalez (I think they have said he is going to be in AA). Also, a little aggressive on Batista. I bet he spends the first half in that jam-packed W-S rotation. I bet they sign some AAAA guy for rotation depth in Charlotte. But this is a very good list.

Kanny’s rotation is a real head scratcher. I think Reyes could see time there as well as Oppor, LaCombe, etc., plus I will be interested to see whether Yohemy Nolasco is back.

I could also see a few 6-man rotations, just to get these guys their work. 

[Timmy U]

28 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I could also see a few 6-man rotations, just to get these guys their work. 

For sure. And at the lower levels there will be quite a few piggybacks.

[PaleAleSox]

2 hours ago, FloydBannister1983 said:

So we are back to this now…. Great.

 

 

He is right, though. What would getting MORE starting pitching right now accomplish? You can't add another team for them to pitch on.

[TheBooneLoganEra]

You forgot Sasaki.

[FloydBannister1983]

6 hours ago, PaleAleSox said:

He is right, though. What would getting MORE starting pitching right now accomplish? You can't add another team for them to pitch on.

I suppose if they have the top five starting pitchers at each level then there is no room for improvement.  If only we had a recent example of minor league starting pitchers flaming out in this system.

[Chicago White Sox]

33 minutes ago, FloydBannister1983 said:

I suppose if they have the top five starting pitchers at each level then there is no room for improvement.  If only we had a recent example of minor league starting pitchers flaming out in this system.

Many of these guys will flame out, but they also need opportunities before doing so.  The issue isn’t that we can’t acquire better SP prospects, it’s that acquiring a 45 FV and pushing someone like Batista to a minor league bullpen doesn’t move the needle much.

[WestEddy]

21 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Many of these guys will flame out, but they also need opportunities before doing so.  The issue isn’t that we can’t acquire better SP prospects, it’s that acquiring a 45 FV and pushing someone like Batista to a minor league bullpen doesn’t move the needle much.

Obviously, they should take the approach of pursuing both pitching and position players in the draft and internationally. There's no reason right now to target pitching prospects in trade. 

[caulfield12]

25 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Obviously, they should take the approach of pursuing both pitching and position players in the draft and internationally. There's no reason right now to target pitching prospects in trade. 

Unless they have elite stuff and spotty command and/or secondary pitches...worst case you throw them at the bullpen and hope to produce closer internal that you can auction off to the highest bidders.

[Chicago White Sox]

18 hours ago, Timmy U said:

Good list. I think you are too aggressive on Wikelman Gonzalez (I think they have said he is going to be in AA). Also, a little aggressive on Batista. I bet he spends the first half in that jam-packed W-S rotation. I bet they sign some AAAA guy for rotation depth in Charlotte. But this is a very good list.

Kanny’s rotation is a real head scratcher. I think Reyes could see time there as well as Oppor, LaCombe, etc., plus I will be interested to see whether Yohemy Nolasco is back.

You’re right on Batista.  I had thought he spent more time in Winston Salem last year but my memory served me wrong.  He’ll open up in High A for sure.  Not sure who gets knocked out or if they go with a six man, but Gordon, Peppers, McDaniel, etc. are all behind the big four there and I’d prioritize McDougal over those guys as well due to his age and stuff.

[vilehoopster]

Wasn't the Rule Five guy Shane Smith taken with the idea he would become a starter? Should he be on this list?

I think at the very least, Smith sees himself as a starter next year. Didn't I see that in a couple articles after the Sox selected him?

[Bob Sacamano]

4 minutes ago, vilehoopster said:

Wasn't the Rule Five guy Shane Smith taken with the idea he would become a starter? Should he be on this list?

I think at the very least, Smith sees himself as a starter next year. Didn't I see that in a couple articles after the Sox selected him?

I'm sure he will compete for a spot in Spring Training.

[vilehoopster]

I know many people will go off on this, but I would like to see the Sox resign Chris Flexen.  

Some people made this joke earlier on this board, but it's probably more or less true: Flexen is probably too expensive for the Sox for this year. 

[Bob Sacamano]

3 minutes ago, vilehoopster said:

I know many people will go off on this, but I would like to see the Sox resign Chris Flexen.  

Some people made this joke earlier on this board, but it's probably more or less true: Flexen is probably too expensive for the Sox for this year. 

I kinda feel like Bryse Wilson is stepping into the role he served last year.

[southsider2k5]

5 minutes ago, vilehoopster said:

I know many people will go off on this, but I would like to see the Sox resign Chris Flexen.  

Some people made this joke earlier on this board, but it's probably more or less true: Flexen is probably too expensive for the Sox for this year. 

For where the White Sox are this year, they will have a ton of innings to fill.  This isn't an awful idea.

[Bob Sacamano]

5 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

For where the White Sox are this year, they will have a ton of innings to fill.  This isn't an awful idea.

I'd rather have him than Clevinger.

[southsider2k5]

9 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

I'd rather have him than Clevinger.

1000%

[Chicago White Sox]

36 minutes ago, vilehoopster said:

I know many people will go off on this, but I would like to see the Sox resign Chris Flexen.  

Some people made this joke earlier on this board, but it's probably more or less true: Flexen is probably too expensive for the Sox for this year. 

I don’t see a reason to sign Flexen at this point.  Wilson will likely compete with Smith (and others) for the #5 spot coming out of spring training.  Loser will likely be the swing man to start the year.  Scholtens will be at some point.  And then you have a ton of arms in AAA right on the cusp.

If you want to add more SP depth, I’d do so on a minor league deal and not sure Flexen is going to be game for that.

[Bob Sacamano]

9 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I don’t see a reason to sign Flexen at this point.  Wilson will likely compete with Smith (and others) for the #5 spot coming out of spring training.  Loser will likely be the swing man to start the year.  Scholtens will be at some point.  And then you have a ton of arms in AAA right on the cusp.

If you want to add more SP depth, I’d do so on a minor league deal and not sure Flexen is going to be game for that.

This team could you an extra long-reliever or two with how inexperienced and young the rotation is.

[Balta1701]

3 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

This team could you an extra long-reliever or two with how inexperienced and young the rotation is.

Isn't that the guy they signed from the Brewers?