The Baseball America Top 10 Sox Prospects

[aboz56]

Here it is for those who want to read the complete version:

 

Top Prospect: Jeremy Reed, of

 

Age: 22 Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 185 Bats: L Throws: L

Drafted: Long Beach State, 2002 (2nd round)

Signed by: Joe Butler/Matt Hattabaugh

 

Background: Doug Laumann, who lasted three years as the White Sox’ scouting director, may have hit a home run with Reed. Reed played mostly first base during his first two seasons at Long Beach State before moving to the outfield as a junior. Laumann and scouts Joe Butler and Matt Hattabaugh saw enough to project him as a big league center fielder. It required less faith to envision Reed producing with a wood bat. He used wood when he won the Alaska League MVP award in 2000, and again when he led Team USA in hitting with a .366 average in 2001. But even Chicago has been surprised at how quickly Reed has adapted to pro ball. After hitting .319 at low Class A Kannapolis in his pro debut, Reed led the minors with a .373 average and .453 on-base percentage last year. He was at his best after a promotion to Double-A Birmingham, hitting .409-7-43 with 18 steals. After the season, Reed started in the outfield for the Team USA squad that was upset by Mexico in the Olympic qualifying tourament.

 

Strengths: Reed can really hit. He not only has a simple stroke that allows him to make contact almost at will but he also has a terrific eye for the strike zone. He walked nearly twice as much as he struck out in 2003. Wally Backman, his manager at Birmingham, says Reed has such an advanced ability to anticipate pitches that he sometimes helps teammates prepare for at-bats. Like a young Rafael Palmeiro, Reed uses the whole park with his line-drive stroke and should develop more power in time, though he’ll generate a lot more doubles than homers. He’ll probably max out at 15-20 homers annually. Reed runs well and has a natural aggressiveness that allows him to stretch hits into an extra base. He has become an average center fielder and should get better with more experience there. His arm is average, and he could possibly play right field if he can’t stick in center.

 

Weaknesses: Reed’s aggressiveness occasionally turns into recklessness. He needs to pick his spots better as a basestealer after getting caught in 13 of 31 attempts in Double-A. If he proves unable to handle center field, he won’t have the home run power typical of a corner outfielder. Reed sprained his right wrist while with the U.S. qualifying team, but he’s expected to be fine by spring training.

 

The Future: Reed is on the fast track to Chicago. He’ll go to big league camp as a nonroster invitee, and the White Sox don’t have a clear-cut center fielder. Several club officials would like to see Reed get a full season at Triple-A Charlotte, however, and he’ll likely open the season playing alongside Joe Borchard there. With Magglio Ordonez one year away from free agency, it’s conceivable both Reed and Borchard will be regulars in 2005.

 

2. Kris Honel, rhp

 

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 180.

Drafted: HS—New Lenox, Ill., 2001 (1st round).

Signed by: Ken Stauffer/Nathan Durst.

 

Background: A local product, Honel went 16th overall in the 2001 draft, making him the earliest Illinois prep pitcher picked since Bob Kipper was chosen eighth in 1982. He earned all-star recognition in both of his full seasons. He helped Winston-Salem capture the high Class A Carolina League title in 2003 with two playoff wins, including the clincher.

 

Strengths: Since his mid-teens, Honel has thrown a knee-buckling knuckle-curve, and he’ll use it in any count. His fastball climbed back to 91-93 mph last year after dipping a little in 2002. He has a lot of natural movement, with late break down and away from righthanders. He gets deception from a natural snap at the end of his delivery. He repeats his delivery, giving him good command.

 

Weaknesses: Honel has enough fastball now, but his frame is so projectable that the White Sox continue to watch for him to develop more velocity. That’s all he needs to have front-of-the-rotation stuff.

 

The Future: The Sox rushed Jon Garland and Dan Wright to the majors but are more cautious these days. The second half of 2005 is a reasonable goal for Honel. He’ll pitch in Double-A this year.

 

3. Neal Cotts, lhp

 

Age: 24. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 200.

Drafted: Illinois State, 2001 (2nd round).

Signed by: Jim Pransky (Athletics).

 

Background: Unsung when he was traded, Cotts has become the best part of the Billy Koch-Keith Foulke deal for the White Sox. He started the 2003 Futures Game and would have won the Double-A Southern League ERA title had he not fallen a few innings shy of qualifying. His first big league callup lasted four starts, as he left a poor impression because of wildness.

 

Strengths: Cotts has averaged 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors despite a fastball that tops out at 91 mph. His motion makes his fastball look harder. His changeup is his best pitch, and his curveball improved last year. He does a good job changing speeds and using his secondary pitches.

 

Weaknesses: Cotts will have to iimprove his control before he gets another shot with the White Sox. Big league hitters didn’t chase his pitches out of the strike zone, and they didn’t swing and miss when his stuff came over the plate. He doesn’t have an obvious out pitch.

 

The Future: A strong spring training could put Cotts into immediate consideration for a spot in the Chicago rotation. More likely, he’ll go to Triple-A and be in line for a big league job in 2005.

 

4. Ryan Sweeney, of

 

Age: 19. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 205.

Drafted: HS—Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2003 (2nd round).

Signed by: Nathan Durst.

 

Background: Sweeney had a chance to become Iowa’s first high school first-rounder, but a lackluster predraft showcase dropped him to the second round. Scouted as both a pitcher and hitter, he signed for $785,000. Because he had college basketball potential, the White Sox were able to spread his bonus over five years. Sweeney hit .327 in Rookie ball and drew rave reviews in instructional league.

 

Strengths: Sweeney is a competitor in an ultra-athletic package. He’s considered a pure hitter with gap power, in the mold of John Olerud. He has great plate coverage and surprisingly good plate discipline for such a raw talent. He has a plus arm, showing an 88-92 mph fastball and promising curveball last spring, and is suited for right field.

 

Weaknesses: Having put on 15 pounds of muscle, Sweeney looks like a power hitter but has yet to become one with a wood bat. He sometimes appears too pull-conscious. His fielding skills are raw.

 

The Future: The consensus is that he has slightly more offensive upside than 2003 first-rounder Brian Anderson. With his strong debut, Sweeney showed that he’s ready for low Class A this year.

 

5. Joe Borchard, of

 

Age: 25. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 220.

Drafted: Stanford, 2000 (1st round).

Signed by: Ed Pebley/Joe Butler.

 

Background: Borchard is under increasing pressure to justify the record $5.3 million bonus he got to forsake a career as an NFL quarterback. He has gone backward the last two years, largely because he chases too many bad pitches.

 

Strengths: Borchard’s athleticism and leadership skills give him an edge over most ballplayers. He generates easy power and can hit monster home runs, especially from the left side. He has a strong arm, which he once showed by throwing five touchdown passes in a game against UCLA.

 

Weaknesses: Strikeouts are a growing concern, especially because his walk totals have diminished the last two years. Borchard’s plate discipline has worsened even as the organization has emphasized its importance. He has become a particularly suspect hitter from the right side. He can play three outfield positions but is below-average in center, Chicago’s original goal for him.

 

The Future: After he played nonstop for 21/2 years, the White Sox gave Borchard the winter off. It’s unlikely he’ll hit his way out of the doghouse in spring training and should get a third season in Triple-A.

 

6. Ryan Wing, lhp

 

Age: 22. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 170.

Drafted: Riverside (Calif.) CC, 2001 (2nd round).

Signed by: George Bradley/Mark Salas.

 

Background: Selected one round after Kris Honel in the 2001 draft, Wing has been in lockstep with him. He started and won the California-Carolina League all-star game last year and teamed with Honel to pitch Winston-Salem to a championship.

 

Strengths: Wing is a nightmare for lefthanders because of his arm angle and stuff. He has a low-90s fastball with hard, sinking action. He uses his sinker to set up an excellent slider. He doesn’t hesitate to knock hitters off the plate. He’s difficult to run on, leading Carolina League pitchers last year with 67 percent of basestealers getting caught against him.

 

Weaknesses: Wing sometimes struggles with his mechanics, which in turn leads to spotty control. That’s the biggest difference between him and Honel. Wing should improve his command with more experience.

 

The Future: Wing and Honel will team up again in Double-A this year. The White Sox have promoted plenty of pitchers from Birmingham to the majors, including Neil Cotts in 2003, and could get interested in Wing quickly if he has a good first half. More realistically, he needs another 300 minor league innings before getting the call.

 

7. Brian Anderson, of

 

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 200.

Drafted: Arizona, 2003 (1st round).

Signed by: John Kazanas.

 

Background: After a Freshman All-America season in 2001, Anderson slumped as a sophomore at Arizona. He reworked his swing and his approach last spring, and it paid off as he went 15th overall in the draft and signed for $1.6 million. He made the most of the chance to audition for the White Sox, who train in Tucson and sent 16 scouts and coaches to watch him. Anderson got off to a fast start at Rookie-level Great Falls before being sidelined by minor wrist surgery.

 

Strengths: Anderson has all five tools and is a slightly better athlete than Ryan Sweeney. He’s a polished hitter who can work counts and wait for a pitch to drive. He runs well and is a plus defender in center field. He has an outstanding arm and was clocked up to 93 mph as a reliever in his first two years with the Wildcats.

 

Weaknesses: Anderson battled knee and wrist injuries in 2002, and his wrist bothered him after he turned pro. Doctors shaved down a bone causing him irritation, and he should be ready for spring training.

 

The Future: With Chris Young slated to play center field in low Class A, Anderson likely will go to high Class A for his first full pro season. His big league ETA is mid-2006.

 

8. Shingo Takatsu, rhp

 

Age: 35. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 160.

Signed: Japan, 2004.

Signed by: Dave Wilder.

 

Background: Drawn to the city and the opportunity, Takatsu became the first Japanese veteran to sign with a Chicago team when he agreed to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $1 million. He spent 13 years with the Yakult Swallows, surpassing Kazuhiro Sasaki in 2003 to take over Japan’s all-time saves lead with 260. Takatsu was at his best in the Japan Series, going 2-0 with nine saves and a 0.00 ERA—thus his nickname, Mr. Zero.

 

Strengths: Using a sidearm delivery, Takatsu is deceptive and durable. He has plus command and changes speeds on his sinker, slider and changeup so well that he has six offerings. He can throw his changeup like a screwball and make his sinking fastball move toward either side of the plate.

 

Weaknesses: There’s nothing overpowering about Takatsu. His fastball rarely climbs above 88 mph and often parks at 85-86. His control slipped a notch last year. For a sinkerball pitcher, he gives up a surprising number of homers.

 

The Future: Takatsu will work either as a set-up man or closer for the White Sox, depending on the performance of Billy Koch. The Sox hold a $2.5 million option on his contract for 2005.

 

9. Chris Young, of

 

Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 180.

Drafted: HS—Bellaire, Texas, 2001 (16th round).

Signed by: Joe Butler/Paul Provas.

 

Background: Young led Texas prepsters in steals in 2001 at perennial power Bellaire High, which went 34-2 and was ranked sixth nationally. He lasted 16 rounds in the draft, mostly because he was scrawny. He has filled out as a pro and ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2003.

 

Strengths: Speed remains Young’s best tool. He has been clocked at 4.0 seconds to first base from the right side of the plate. He’s always a threat to steal bases, including third. Young has learned to use the whole field while developing surprising power and improved strike-zone judgment. He’s an above-average center fielder.

 

Weaknesses: Young sometimes looks bad against breaking pitches. He needs to do a better job making contact to take advantage of his speed. He has a below-average arm.

 

The Future: The White Sox hope Young can continue to establish himself as he moves to low Class A. They have little need to rush him with Jeremy Reed, Joe Borchard and Brian Anderson ahead of him on the center-field depth chart.

 

10. Arnie Munoz, lhp

 

Age: 21. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 170.

Signed: Dominican Republic, 1998.

Signed by: Denny Gonzalez.

 

Background: Munoz was pitcher of the year in the Dominican League after the 2002 season, and he paid for it. He barely had any time off before spring training, and his snapdragon curveball didn’t have its usual bite as he failed to impress in big league camp and started slowly in Triple-A.

 

Strengths: When it’s on, Munoz’ curveball is one of the best in the minors. He uses tremendous arm speed to get the same violent break as Barry Zito. Munoz’ fastball can touch 90 mph. Those two pitches account for his 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings as a pro and make him a scourge on lefthanders, who hit just .128 against him last year. He’s poised and controls the running game.

 

Weaknesses: Munoz continues working on his changeup and slider. He needs something more to get righties out after they torched him for a .339 average in 2003. The White Sox haven’t given him a chance to start because he’s a maximum-effort pitcher who wears down after one trip through the lineup.

 

The Future: The Sox appear set with lefties Damaso Marte and Kelly Wunsch in their bullpen, but Munoz has intriguing talent. He figures to arrive in Chicago sometime in 2004 and has Eddie Guardado potential.

[Guest JimH]

Thanks very much for posting this. Great stuff.

 

Interesting comments about Chris Young.

[aboz56]

He has a plus arm, showing an 88-92 mph fastball and promising curveball last spring, and is suited for right field.

 

For anyone that knows, is there any chance they would give Sweeney a chance to pitch?

[Rex Hudler]

For anyone that knows, is there any chance they would give Sweeney a chance to pitch?

Doubtful. Generally they decide on what they want from a player and have him concentrate completely on one thing to give him the best opportunity to succeed. It is hard enough to make the bigs doing one thing, let alone splitting your developmental time.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Here it is for those who want to read the complete version:

DAYUM Aboz. Thanks for the hook-up with that info. I like the last part about Munoz being a potetial Guardado

[Jordan4life_2007]

Does anybody know where the Sox farm system ranks among current teams right now? I'm guessin somewhere in the middle...

[aboz56]

Does anybody know where the Sox farm system ranks among current teams right now?  I'm guessin somewhere in the middle...

I would say they are in the bottom 3rd in terms of prospects because they don't appear to have a lot of guys who are going to make an impact in the immediate future besides Reed, Honel and maybe Cotts.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Wait a 2nd...I just noticed Jon Rauch is not even on the list...Damn he's fallen HARD...

[aboz56]

Wait a 2nd...I just noticed Jon Rauch is not even on the list...Damn he's fallen HARD...

He wasn't mentioned very much at Soxfest either. Looks like the Sox and BA are both down on him.

 

I'm still going to go out on a limb and say he'll break spring as the 5th starter, but at this point, it doesn't look like a strong possibility.

[Guest JimH]

He wasn't mentioned very much at Soxfest either.  Looks like the Sox and BA are both down on him.

 

I'm still going to go out on a limb and say he'll break spring as the 5th starter, but at this point, it doesn't look like a strong possibility.

I'd go out on that limb with you, but he's still got one option left.

 

I think it was Rex who speculated Rauch wasn't brought up in September because he has only one option left.

 

KW did talk about Rauch on Friday nite at SoxFest ... said he's very much in their plans but Jon has to prove he's healthy. He said Rauch's velocity was still coming back and was still down in '03 from what it was in '00. KW said Rauch topped out at 92-93 when he was healthy and they'd like to see him get back there.

 

So, it appears it's all up to Jon Rauch at this point. My guess is, if he has a decent camp, he goes to AAA for 2 months or so and is the first call up if needed.

[Rex Hudler]

I think it was Rex who speculated Rauch wasn't brought up in September because he has only one option left.

 

No, someone else suggested that. I suggested he wasn't brought up because he pissed KW off by getting into a hot and heavy argument with him in front of a ton of people last year in Spring Training. I don't know any details, but I have heard it happened from two people. Both also speculated that he was left in Charlotte to teach him a lesson. It is speculation, but it would not surprise me at all.

 

That said, I think Rauch will be in the mix for the #5 starter's spot and will have every chance to earn it. All things being equal, he may not be their first choice, but if he wins the job outright, he will get it.

[southsider2k5]

I'd go out on that limb with you, but he's still got one option left.

 

I think it was Rex who speculated Rauch wasn't brought up in September because he has only one option left.

 

KW did talk about Rauch on Friday nite at SoxFest ... said he's very much in their plans but Jon has to prove he's healthy.  He said Rauch's velocity was still coming back and was still down in '03 from what it was in '00.  KW said Rauch topped out at 92-93 when he was healthy and they'd like to see him get back there.

 

So, it appears it's all up to Jon Rauch at this point.  My guess is, if he has a decent camp, he goes to AAA for 2 months or so and is the first call up if needed.

He does have an option left. The reason he didn't get a call up at the end of last year is that he would have used up his last option year, and would not have been able to send Jon to AAA if needed, without exposing him to waivers.

[Rex Hudler]

The reason he didn't get a call up at the end of last year is that he would have used up his last option year, and would not have been able to send Jon to AAA if needed, without exposing him to waivers.

 

OR, because he pissed KW off! lol

[southsider2k5]

OR, because he pissed KW off!  lol

Did he piss Kenny off, or are you just joking around? If that is true I had never heard that

[baggio202]

He does have an option left.  The reason he didn't get a call up at the end of last year is that he would have used up his last option year, and would not have been able to send Jon to AAA if needed, without exposing him to waivers.

i thought the option thingy had to do more with years than numbers...isnt it three years from your debut???..rauch came up in '02 so dont the sox own him until the end of the '04 season??....then if he isnt on the sox roster by then he becomes a free agent???...

 

as far as being brought up..once your brought up you have used up an option and can be sent back down and brought up again an unlimited amount of times during tha season and it only counts as one option???

 

if im understanding the option rule right it really didnt matter if we brought up rauch at the end of last year or not cause if he is not on the 40 man roster going into '05 he automatically becomes a fre agent...and he has to make the team in '05..right??

[southsider2k5]

i thought the option thingy had to do more with years than numbers...isnt it three years from your debut???..rauch came up in '02 so dont the sox own him until the end of the '04 season??....then if he isnt on the sox roster by then he becomes a free agent???...

 

as far as being brought up..once your brought up you have used up an option and can be sent back down and brought up again an unlimited amount of times during tha season and it only counts as one option???

 

if im understanding the option rule right it really didnt matter if we brought up rauch at the end of last year or not cause if he is not on the 40 man roster going into '05 he automatically becomes a fre agent...and he has to make the team in '05..right??

The way I heard it explained is a team uses up an option year, if they place a player on the major league roster. And yeah, once you call someone up, you get to send them up and down as many times as you want during a season.

 

If they would have called up Jon last year, they wouldn't have been able to send him down to AAA this year, if he didn't make the roster.

[upnorthsox]

The way I heard it explained is a team uses up an option year, if they place a player on the major league roster.  And yeah, once you call someone up, you get to send them up and down as many times as you want during a season.

 

If they would have called up Jon last year, they wouldn't have been able to send him down to AAA this year, if he didn't make the roster.

Not exactly, if he didn't make the team out of ST then no option would be used. If he made the team and then was sent down later in the yr that's when he'd have to clear waivers.

[southsider2k5]

Not exactly, if he didn't make the team out of ST then no option would be used. If he made the team and then was sent down later in the yr that's when he'd have to clear waivers.

So it is true that by not being called up at all in 2003, he now has an extra option year, right?

[upnorthsox]

So it is true that by not being called up at all in 2003, he now has an extra option year, right?

Yes it is, of course that doesn't mean KW wasn't killing two birds with one stone so to speak.

 

[southsider2k5]

Yes it is, of course that doesn't mean KW wasn't killing two birds with one stone so to speak.

 

   

 

I am glad someone understands this stuff. This is like being in college again

[aboz56]

No, someone else suggested that.  I suggested he wasn't brought up because he pissed KW off by getting into a hot and heavy argument with him in front of a ton of people last year in Spring Training.  I don't know any details, but I have heard it happened from two people.  Both also speculated that he was left in Charlotte to teach him a lesson.  It is speculation, but it would not surprise me at all.

 

That said, I think Rauch will be in the mix for the #5 starter's spot and will have every chance to earn it.  All things being equal, he may not be their first choice, but if he wins the job outright, he will get it.

This doesn't surprise me at all.

 

In fact, it makes sense.

 

I've seen Rauch deal with fans here at games in Louisville and the guy is a complete asshole. I even tried to get him to sign for me and even stir up some Sox talk with him, but the guy was completely non-receptive and a jerk. For that reason I'd love to see other guys make it in front of him including Cotts, Person or even Grilli.

 

I thought it took a lot of disrespect to act like that towards fans like Rauch did, especially the White Sox fans who come out to see Charlotte here at the park in Louisville. Borchard and others set a great example of their appreciation for the fans, this guy was completely the opposite.

[Rex Hudler]

So it is true that by not being called up at all in 2003, he now has an extra option year, right?

No, this is not true. The option for 2003 was burned when Rauch was sent to Charlotte to begin the season. Whether he was called up at the end of the season had NO bearing on how many available options he has.

 

If he was added to the Sox 40-man roster in 2002, then he would have one more option left in 2004. If he was added in the offseason prior to 2001, then he is currently out of options and would need to clear waivers before being sent back to AAA. I am not sure when he was added to the 40-man roster. Anyone know for sure??

 

The bottom line is, calling him up last September would have had no bearing on his options.

 

Did he piss Kenny off, or are you just joking around? If that is true I had never heard that 

Read back a few posts, ss2k. You would not have heard this because it is not public knowledge and has never been reported that I know of. Some things you just gotta get from me.

 

I got it from two people who knew people that were there. I trust my sources.

[southsider2k5]

Read back a few posts, ss2k.  You would not have heard this because it is not public knowledge and has never been reported that I know of.  Some things you just gotta get from me.

 

I got it from two people who knew people that were there.  I trust my sources.

I did miss the initial post. And don't worry, I do trust your stuff. I had just never heard it and wanted to be sure that was what you were saying. I had only met Rauch at Soxfest, and he seemed all right then. This stuff casts him in a whole new light.

[upnorthsox]

No, this is not true.  The option for 2003 was burned when Rauch was sent to Charlotte to begin the season.  Whether he was called up at the end of the season had NO bearing on how many available options he has. 

 

If he was added to the Sox 40-man roster in 2002, then he would have one more option left in 2004.  If he was added in the offseason prior to 2001, then he is currently out of options and would need to clear waivers before being sent back to AAA.  I am not sure when he was added to the 40-man roster.  Anyone know for sure??

 

The bottom line is, calling him up last September would have had no bearing on his options. 

 

 

Read back a few posts, ss2k.  You would not have heard this because it is not public knowledge and has never been reported that I know of.  Some things you just gotta get from me.

 

I got it from two people who knew people that were there.  I trust my sources.

I'm not sure that's true Rex, I believe the option period start/stop date is when 25 man rosters are made to begin the season so a Sept callup in '02 is covered in that period til the end of ST in '03.

 

I could be wrong though.

[Rex Hudler]

I'm not sure that's true Rex, I believe the option period start/stop date is when 25 man rosters are made to begin the season so a Sept callup in '02 is covered in that period til the end of ST in '03.

 

I could be wrong though.

I'm positive it is true, UNS. Options are based on being on the 40-man roster, not the 25.