Top 10 Performances of the Week

[danman31]

Top 10 Performances of the Week

McCarthy's 7 shutout innings tops the list

By Danny Santaromita

 

A new weekly article on FutureSox will be the Top 10 Performances of the Week which will feature the best individual performances in the past week. The rankings were based solely on statistics.

 

Honorable Mention: 5/27 Scott Bikowski, Birmingham Barons 3-5, HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs, BB

Bikowski's three hit night came as part of an 18-2 drubbing of LA affiliate Jacksonville. Now that he is getting consistent time after his demotion Bikowski is hitting .339. He clearly needs to be given another chance at AAA, but right now it is more important that he get more consistent playing time.

 

10. 5/29 Andres Torres, Charlotte Knights 3-4, 4 SB, 2 runs

Sure all three hits for Torres were singles, but when you steal four bases in a game that's something special. The only problem on the day was that Torres was doing almost all the damage on the day. His two runs were half of the four for Charlotte in a 6-4 loss to Richmond (Braves). Torres has been a solid pickup so far this season batting .270 usually from the leadoff spot. The shocking thing about Torres' four stolen bases matched his previous season total.

 

9. 5/24 Rafael Flores, Kannapolis Intimidators 7 IP, 2 runs (1 ER), 1 K, 2 BB, 6 hits (L)

Despite receiving a tough luck loss to Charleston-WV in a 2-1 game, Flores had a great outing. The 20 year-old has been a nice addition to the team's rotation since coming to Kannapolis from extended Spring Training with a 3.49 ERA.

 

8. 5/24 Josh Stewart, Charlotte 6.2 IP, 1 run, 3 K, 2 bb, 5 hits (W)

Stewart hasn't done as well as he may have hoped, but this start was definitely note worthy. Currently he is being tossed around as a possible candidate for the White Sox 5th starter job. Arnie Munoz appears to be the favorite, but Stewart has a chance if he picks it up.

 

7. 5/27 Michael Morse, Birmingham 2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 runs

Morse has been one of the biggest surprises within the Sox system so far this season. His batting average has slipped to .301, but his 10 HRs and 28 RBI both stand second on the team. His power was on display as part of the 18-2 slugfest against Jacksonville.

 

6. 5/27 Brian Becker, Winston-Salem Warthogs 2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs, BB

Becker has been solid for the 'Hogs and continued to hit the ball well in a 6-2 win over first place Kinston. Just a day after his 29th birthday Becker hit two of his nine HRs on the season. As a 29 year-old Becker doesn't stand to be much of a prospect, but he just hits. His .298 batting average is 2nd on the team.

 

5. 5/24 Jim Bullard, Birmingham 6 IP, 1 run, 5 K, 2 BB, 2 hits (W)

This start is very impressive not only because of the numbers, but because of the fact that it was a spot start. Bullard has been making spot starts as the Barons' rotation has lost guys like Honel, Yofu, and Ulacia through parts of this season. Bullard's ERA stands at 3.30 with 3 starts and he seems to be a guy that has a chance with the White Sox down the road out of the bullpen.

 

4. 5/28 Brian Anderson, Winston-Salem 4-5, 4 RBI, 1 run

Lately, Anderson has been showing the stuff that made him a first round pick of the White Sox last year. His .327 batting average leads the team and his four hits and four RBI against Kinston were vital in getting a 5-3 win. It seems only a matter of time before he gets called up to Birmingham.

 

3. 5/27 Dennis Ulacia, Birmingham 7 IP, 2 runs, 11 K, 2 BB, 7 hits (W)

Ulacia's 11 strikeout performance was overshadowed by an 18 run explosion from the Barons' offense. This is the kind of stuff Ulacia has been throwing all season long. He started the season out of the bullpen, but the injury to Kris Honel eventually moved him into the rotation. His near 3 to 1 K/BB ratio is even more impressive than his 3.43 ERA.

 

2. 5/27 Nik Lubisich, Winston-Salem 8 IP, 2 runs, 4 K, 0 BB, 4 hits (W)

Lubisich has had his struggles this season, but this great outing keyed a 6-2 Warthogs' win over Kinston. Lubisich was dominant and improvement from him would be huge for a rotation that has been subpar at best. The Warthogs have begun to hit and the team has won with that, but more pitching could take the team to another level.

 

1. 5/30 Brandon McCarthy, Kannapolis 7 IP, 0 runs, 12 K, 0 BB, 4 hits (W)

"B Mac" has been very good as a starter so far for the Intimidators. A 12 strikeout, no walk performance on Sunday set the table for a 4-1 win over Hagerstown. McCarthy has great control and has been a strikeout pitcher while being very effective. His 3.88 ERA is second best among the starters. His K/9 stands at 10.19 and his K/BB ratio is currently 4.17 to 1. He has the most strikeouts of any Sox minor leaguer at 71. Arnie Munoz is second with 51, that's 20 behind McCarthy for those of you that are mathematically challenged. It's hard not to be impressed by his numbers so far and he is beginning to put himself as one of the better pitching prospects in the Sox organization.

[dasox24]

Great article! I've been out of town the last week and haven't been able to keep track of what our minor leaguers have been doing so this was a great way for me to see what some of our guys did this week. thanx

[Chisoxfn]

Great Stuff Dan.

[danman31]

Great article!  I've been out of town the last week and haven't been able to keep track of what our minor leaguers have been doing so this was a great way for me to see what some of our guys did this week.  thanx

Good to know my stuff is appreciated.

 

Jas, I was thinking we could add a FutureSox Player of the Week. Thoughts?

[southsider2k5]

Good to know my stuff is appreciated.

 

Jas, I was thinking we could add a FutureSox Player of the Week. Thoughts?

I think it is a great idea. It is also something that has a chance of getting noticed by other media outlets.

[Chisoxfn]

That sounds very cool. The new format will be good for things like this. It will make it easy to see the weekly features and what not.

 

BobDylan is doing a hell of a job on it.

[Heads22]

Jason: Booooooooo.