2004 Spring Training Analysis: Position Players

[Chisoxfn]

2004 Spring Training Analysis: Position Players

By Andrew Dunn

March 12, 2004

FutureSox.com

 

The Chicago White Sox have been preparing themselves for the regular season ahead at Spring Training down in Arizona. In the final of our roster previews, we take a look at the minor league position prospects that have a chance at making the 25-man roster in Chicago.

 

Jeremy Reed

Jeremy Reed joined the White Sox as a second-round pick in 2002 (59th overall) out of the famed Long Beach State University. Reed burst onto the scene last year as the White Sox’ best minor-league prospect, hitting .333 in Winston-Salem with an excellent 41/17 BB/K ratio and he also hit .409 for the Birmingham Barons in double-A with a 1.065 OPS. After the season, Reed was selected to play outfield for Team USA who were upset by Mexico in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Reed is considered to be more of a line-drive hitter with a smooth stroke from the left side of the plate. He does not project to hit many home runs in the majors due to his small stature, but he has the ability to get on base, and steal on occasion. Reed has an average but accurate arm and he may have just enough range to play center field in the majors, although he may be better suited for the corners.

 

Reed’s main weakness is his offensive-struggles against left-handed pitching. With Winston-Salem he hit just .256 against them in, compared to his .352 average against right-handers. Reed will start 2004 off in Charlotte unless he really turns some heads in spring training, which has so far gone fairly well despite spraining his right wrist while playing with Team USA beforehand.

 

Final Stance: Aaron Rowand projects to be the starting centerfielder for Chicago, although if he struggles, Reed will likely be the first in line as his replacement. At the latest, he should be in the majors by August/September. Barring a trade, he will start the season in Charlotte.

 

Joe Borchard

Joe Borchard was the 12th selection in the first-round of the 2000 draft out of Stanford University, where he was a former quarterback. Borchard signed a contract that included a $5.3 million bonus, making him the most expensive minor-leaguer in White Sox’ history. Borchard moved quickly through the White Sox’ system with good years in 2001 at Birmingham (.295 BA, 27 HR) and 2002 at Charlotte (.272 BA, 20 HR). Borchard earned a call-up to Chicago in late 2002 when the rosters were expanded, although his numbers weren’t too impressive.

 

Borchard struggled again in 2003, hitting .253 with a weak .307 OBP and poor K/BB ratio of 103/27, which continues to be Borchard’s main weakness; little plate discipline and the inability to walk. His swing needs to be shortened to help fix this problem. At age 24, Borchard needs a good year at Charlotte or he will risk losing his status as a top prospect for the White Sox. In the eyes of many, Borchard, who was once considered to be the centerfielder of the future, is now second to Reed, although he still has time to make it for the White Sox.

 

Final Stance: Guillen has said good things about Borchard and appears to be interested in using Borchard as a 4th outfielder. Borchard can play all three outfield positions and the time in the majors could help him prepare for a starting role.

 

Ross Gload

Ross Gload was selected in the 13th round of the 1997 amateur draft by the Florida Marlins. After being involved in the Rondell White-for-Henry Rodriguez trade with the Chicago Cubs, Gload worked his way up to the Cubs in 2000 after some great numbers for triple-A Iowa, hitting .404 with 14 homers in only 28 games. Ross couldn’t stay up with Cubs though and eventually moved onto the Colorado Rockies organization, where he continued to hit the ball well for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. However, his overall value was quite low in Colorado because he was stuck behind the likes of Todd Helton, which eventually got him traded to the White Sox in 2003 for left-hander Wade Parrish.

 

Gload had another fine season, this time for Charlotte, in 2003, hitting .315 with 18 homers.

 

Final Stance: With Brian Daubach returning to Boston for the 2004 season, Ross Gload is considered to be the favorite to take over the role as backup first baseman and designated hitter for Paul Konerko and Frank Thomas. At age 28, Gload, who can also play the corner-outfield positions, needs to make the most of his opportunities if he wants to stay in the majors.

 

Jamie Burke

Jamie Burke was chosen by the Angels in the ninth round of the 1993 amateur draft out of Roseburg (Oregon). Burke was a minor-league prospect in the Angels system for eight years until he made his debut for Anaheim in 2001, playing nine games and hitting .200. Previously, Burke had great years in 1997 for Midland, hitting .329 with 72 RBIs, and in 1999 for Edmonton, where he batted .336. Burke did not play for a major league organization during the 2002 season, and was signed to a minor-league contract the following year by the White Sox.

 

In 2003, Burke had another good year, this time for the Charlotte Knights, hitting .322 with 50 RBIs in 94 games. These good performances earned Burke a call-up to the White Sox late in the year, where he batted .375 in six games. Burke comes into spring training as the third catcher in the organization behind Miguel Olivo and Sandy Alomar Jr., but he will also see some time at third, first and left field.

 

Final Stance: Burke will probably start out the season once again in Charlotte, but, he is the likely call up if anything happens to Olivo or Alomar. At age 32, he needs to perform now.

 

Ryan Hankins

Ryan Hankins was selected in the 13th round in the 1997 Draft out of UNLV. Hankins has moved steadily up the minor-league chart in his time with the White Sox. Hankins had good years in 2002 for the Birmingham Barons, hitting .280 with 72 RBIs, and last season at Charlotte, batting .276 with a good 38/16 BB/K ratio in 68 games. Originally a corner infielder, Hankins experimented at catcher in the Arizona Fall League with moderate success.

 

Final Stance: Hankins only chance to make it to the White Sox may be as a catcher since he probably does not hit well enough to warrant a call up as a corner infielder; although his new versatility will certainly come in handy for him. He will most likely start the year at Charlotte while rotating the catching duties with Jamie Burke and Mike Rivera. He’ll also play 1st, 3rd and probably both corner outfield slots.

 

Mario Valenzuela

Mario Valenzuela was signed as an undrafted free agent. In Spring Training 2002, Valenzuela burst onto the scene as a legitimate contender for an outfield spot with the White Sox; hitting a team high .478 with 1 HR and 7 RBI’s. At the time, Jerry Manuel said he was an “impressive hitter”. At the end of the pre – season however, Valenzuela hurt his elbow, causing him to miss the entire 2002 season.

 

In 2003, Valenzuela started off the year at Great Falls hitting .355 in only 17 games. This prompted a quick call-up to the Charlotte, but he didn’t produce the same kind of numbers with a .254 AVG and an atrocious 25/3 K/BB ratio.

 

Final Stance: Valenzuela is considered a long shot to make the Sox out of spring training, but could be one of their only options if they decide more at bats in Charlotte are what is best for Borchard. Odds are he will start the season in Charlotte, in what looks to be a crowded outfield.

[dasox24]

Nice article DBAHO, or at least I think it's you that wrote this piece. Anyway, thanks for the info on our position players!

 

By the way, FutureSox kicks so much ass! keep up the good work everyone!

[DBAHO]

Nice article DBAHO, or at least I think it's you that wrote this piece.  Anyway, thanks for the info on our position players!

 

By the way, FutureSox kicks so much ass!  keep up the good work everyone!

LOL, Yeah it was me. Hopefully guys like Borchard and Reed will make it for the White Sox and not for another team.

[Texsox]

out of the famed Long Beach State University

Go Dirtbags

 

Pro Players from Long Beach State

Jason Giambi is a former American League MVP now playing for the New York Yankees, while Steve Trachsel (NY Mets), Chris Gomez (Twins), Rocky Biddle (White Sox), Jeff Liefer (Brewers), Bobby Crosby (Athletics) and Mike Gallo (Astros) have also established themselves as Major Leaguers.

 

The 49ers had 40 former Dirtbags playing professional baseball in 2003.

 

 

 

MINOR LEAGUERS IN 2003

AAA (5): Bryan Kennedy; Twins

Jason Knupfer; Phillies; Matt Montgomery, Giants; Terrmel Sledge, Expos; Jeremy Ward, Diamondbacks

 

AA (6): Chad Bentz, Expos;

Greg Dobbs, Mariners; Chuck Lopez, Mariners; Russel Rohlicek, Cubs; Max Tremblay, Astros; Jeremy Reed, White Sox

 

High A (3): Bob Cramer, Devil Rays; Kaulana Kuhaulua, Twins; Edgar Varela, Diamondbacks

 

Low A (5): Josh Alliston, Brewers; Daniel Eisentrager, Indians; Adam Heether, Brewers; Paul McAnulty, Padres; Kevin Randel, Marlins

 

Short Season A (8): Abe Alvarez, Red Sox; Bo Ashabraner, Indians; Nick Covarrubias, Yankees; Chris Demaria, Pirates; Tim Hutting, Giants; Todd Jennings, Giants; Carlos Muniz, Mets; Nick Orlandos, Mariners

 

Independent Leagues (10): Rolo Avila, Nate Beucler, Brent Cookson, Izzy Gonzalez, Justin Hall, Curt Lee, Eric Martins, Kirk Pierce, Darrell Sherman, Lateef Vaughn

[dasox24]

There will soon be another very good player from Long Beach State in the minors very soon, and that player is Jared Weaver, a right handed pitcher. I believe he's Jeff Weaver's brother. Here's his stats for the year:

6-0, 43.2 IP, 17 H, 5 BB, 70 K

[Chisoxfn]

Yep, Weaver is nasty and has been pitching absolutely amazing thing year. If he keeps it up, I have no doubt he will be the 1st overall pick in the draft.

 

And your right, he's Weaver's brother.

[DBAHO]

Yep, Weaver is nasty and has been pitching absolutely amazing thing year.  If he keeps it up, I have no doubt he will be the 1st overall pick in the draft.

 

And your right, he's Weaver's brother.

Who will have the 1st pick in this year's draft? And more importantly, what are our picks in the first few rounds?