The Top 50 Countdown: 30-21

[Chisoxfn]

The Top 50 Countdown: 30-21

By Mike Doyle, Jason Gage, and Mark J. Jacobsen

June 3, 2003

FutureSox.com

 

From 50 all the way down to 1, we will continue our countdown of the top 50 prospects in the White Sox organization with 21 through 30. Coming Soon: 11 through 20.

 

Stats Updated as of June 2, 2003

 

30. Daylan Holt - 23 - R/R -OF – (High-A Winston-Salem)

2003 (Birmingham-AA): .000 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 2 BB, 7 K

2003 (Winston-Salem-AA): .299 AVG, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 4 SB, 14 BB, 26 K

2002 (Midland-AA): .279 AVG, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 1 SB, 15 BB, 50 K

2002 (Visalia-A): .291 AVG, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 3 SB, 29 BB, 75 K

2001 (Modesto-A): .179 AVG, 2 HR, 39 RBI, 5 SB, 40 BB, 90 K

2000 (Vancouver-R): .271 AVG, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 1 SB, 10 BB, 26 K

 

Holt, who was the second “player to be named later” in the Billy Koch for Keith Foulke trade, was literally in a yearlong slump until 2002. Holt finally showed some promise last year, hitting 20 HRs and driving in 88 runs between A and AA ball. When his stroke is good, Holt has jaw-dropping power to all fields. Because he is prone to long slumps, the goal for Holt is to keep his stroke consistent. Unfortunately, he suffered a meltdown at the beginning of the season with Birmingham and was sent down to Winston-Salem. Holt must not have taken the news lightly: he’s proceeded to absolutely annihilate the baseball in High-A, raking up a .303 batting average and .505 slugging percentage. Unless an outfielder at Birmingham is promoted or released, Holt will have to stay down below his level in Winston-Salem.

 

29. Ryan Rodriguez - 18 - LHP, SP – Great Falls White Sox (Rookie)

2002 (Arizona-A): 5-2, 3.74 ERA, 69.1 INN, 47 K, 16 BB

 

Rodriguez was a fourth-round pick out of Texas’ Keller High School last year. At 18 years old, Rodriguez will play another year at Great Falls and come up slowly through the Sox system. He had a very impressive debut, going 5-2 with a 3.74 ERA in 14 starts. He pitched 69.1 innings, which is a moderate amount considering he had already undergone a full season of high school baseball. Rodriguez did show very good control for a youngster, walking just 16. He throws a very good curveball, as well as a low 90’s fastball that has exceptional movement. Rodriguez still has a lot to learn, but he’s a very talented lefty that should develop over the next few years into a front line starter. The Sox plan on having him develop a few more pitches, one of which would most likely be a changeup. He should have a bright future, but the true tests will come with pitching at higher levels.

 

28. B.J. Lamura - 22 – RHP, SP – Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A Ball)

2003: 5-3, 2.64 ERA, 61.1 INN, 54 K, 34 BB

2002 (Bristol): 1-2, 4.50 ERA, 18.0 INN, 20 K, 7 BB

 

Lamura was one of the many solid picks made by the Sox last season: he was drafted in the fifth round out of Clemson, and in some scouts’ minds was possibly the university’s most talented pitcher. He had a solid debut last season, posting a 4.50 ERA as the Sox worked on improving his mechanics and honing his potential. Thus far, the work seems to have paid off. He is Kannapolis’ best starter with a 2.64 ERA in 11 starts.

 

It shouldn’t be long until Lamura moves up to Winston-Salem. Lamura features a good fastball (89-91) and can throw it harder if necessary. All of his other pitches are works in progress, but many are confident that Lamura will turn into a very solid big leaguer. He’s still a few years off from reaching Chicago and, when speaking of most prospects, I like to say that you don’t know what you’ve got until they reach AA.

 

27. Tetsu Yofu - 29 - RHP, SP/RP – Birmingham Barons (AA)

2003 (Charlotte-AAA): 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 3.1 INN, 3 K, 2 BB

2003 (Birmingham-AA): 3-3, 2.96 ERA, 45.2 INN, 38 K, 11 BB

 

No, that’s not a typo; the 29-year-old Japanese import has quite a unique name, and has already made quite a unique impact on this organization. Making his debut with the Birmingham Barons this past month, Yofu has compiled some impressive stats; Yofu is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and has recorded 2 saves. Yofu has dabbled a bit in a starting role, yet many scouts don’t believe he has the stamina to effectively last as a major league starter. If Yofu continues to impress as he has, the White Sox could be looking at their own version of Kaz Sasaki.

 

26. Heath (Mike) Phillips - 21 - LHP, SP – Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A Ball)

2003: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.0 INN, 2 K, 1 BB

2002 (Winston-Salem-A): 6-15, 3.52 ERA, 179 INN, 112 K, 50 BB

2001 (Kannapolis-A): 2-7, 3.64 ERA, 72 INN, 54 K, 18 BB

 

Last year was a good year for Heath Phillips. Not only did he have a great season in Kannapolis, but he started drawing comparisons to current Southsider Mark Buehrle, who won 19 games in just his third major league season. The Sox have high expectations for Phillips, to say the least. Those expectations became cautions earlier this year as Heath was shut down and kept in extended spring training for medical concerns. The good news is Heath is back. He made his first start for Kannapolis last week and it was a beauty -- he went eight innings, giving up three hits and no runs. Heath doesn’t have brilliant stuff, but he can throw all of his pitches for strikes and does a great job changing speeds and staying ahead of the hitters. His best pitches are a high 80’s fastball that has exceptional movement and a slider. Heath should make the jump to Winston-Salem after a few starts and should end the season in Birmingham (AA). Despite having good control, Heath does have work to do, because he has to have perfect control if he hopes to have similar success to Buehrle. Look for a healthy Heath to climb up the charts and the system: he should find himself in Chicago in 2004 or 2005.

 

25. Josh Rupe - 20 - RHP, RP – Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A Ball)

2003: 2-2, 4 SV, 0.99 ERA, 27.1 INN, 37 K, 18 BB

2002 (Bristol-R): 3-3, 5.26 ERA, 38 INN, 40 K, 22 BB

 

The White Sox organization is notorious for drafting pitchers based on radar gun readings and pure potential, and the drafting of Josh Rupe is no exception. Like Corwin Malone, Josh Rupe was drafted as a project. The Sox saw something they thought they could fix, and liked the possibilities of that project succeeding. Immediately after signing, the Sox started to work on Rupe’s mechanics and getting him into a consistent arm slot. Rupe has an amazing curveball, which was rated a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale by some. The changes in Rupe’s mechanics will take numerous innings to learn, but he might have caught on already. Rupe has already opened the eyes of Sox officials in Kannapolis, as he has put together some very solid numbers, most notably his 28 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched, out of the bullpen. Alongside Rick Hummel, Rupe has turned the Intimidator bullpen into the most solid aspect of the team.

 

24. Brian West - 22 - RHP, SP – Birmingham Barons (AA)

2003 (Charlotte-AAA): 1-0, 5.40 ERA, 5.0 INN, 2 K, 2 BB

2003 (Birmingham-AA): 2-4, 5.56 ERA, 45.1 INN, 31 K, 24 BB

2002 (Birmingham-AA): 9-11, 4.34 ERA, 149 INN, 91 K, 71 BB

2001 (Winston-Salem-A): 7-12, 3.46 ERA, 169 INN, 130 K, 70 BB

2000 (Winston-Salem-A): 0-1, 11.37 ERA, 6 INN, 3 K, 6 BB

2000 (Burlington-A): 8-9, 3.78 ERA, 148 INN, 90 K, 73 BB

1999 (Bristol-R): 1-2, 10.50 ERA, 18 INN, 17 K, 14 BB

1999 (Arizona-R): 0-1, 13.50 ERA, 5 INN, 3 K, 2 BB

 

Brian West’s year in AA Birmingham can be simply described as both good and bad. The good? West improved on limiting the amount of hits he gave up: his Batting Average Against dropped almost 50 points from the previous year to .236. The bad? West’s strikeout total dropped dramatically from 130 in 170 IP two years ago to 91 in 149 IP last year. West has been forced to spend another year in Birmingham, and the results so far have been downright awful. West has yielded 48 hits and 15 walks in only 34 2/3 innings in his second season with the Barons. Unless West makes drastic changes to his approach to pitching, he will most likely fall by the wayside as a non-prospect. Oddly enough, West was actually promoted to AAA Charlotte, but I suspect this was only a fill-in start. As of right now, West does not deserve to be in AAA.

 

23. Ryan Meaux – 25 - LHP, RP – Winston-Salem Warthogs (High A Ball)

2003: 0-3, 5 SV, 0.88 ERA, 41.0 INN, 30 K, 2 BB

2002 (Kannapolis-A): 0-2, 6 SV, 1.35 ERA, 13.1 INN, 13 K, 0 BB

2002 (Haggerstown-A): 4-3, 17 SV, 2.63 ERA, 54.2 INN, 44 K, 12 BB

2001 (Salem-Kaizer-A): 2-2, 5.59 ERA, 29.0 INN, 27 K, 11 BB

 

A product of Kenny Williams’ fire sale last season, Ryan Meaux has proved that Felix Diaz was not the only pitcher of note in the deal that sent Kenny Lofton to San Francisco. Meaux doesn't have noteworthy velocity, but gets good sink on his fastball and good results from his curveball. At age 25, Meaux is having a great start to 2003 (0-1, 0.29, 4sv’s). If he hopes to make the majors, however, he’ll need to progress to AA sooner rather than later.

 

22. Frankie Francisco - 23 - RHP, SP – Winston-Salem Warthogs (High A Ball)

2003: 3-2, 3.83 ERA, 42.1 INN, 29 K, 21 BB

 

Frankie Francisco started last year in the Boston Red Sox organization as a top ten prospect. After it was revealed that Francisco is actually nine months older than he’d reported to the team, he soon fell out of favor within the organization and was summarily traded to the South Siders in a deal for Bobby Howry. Francisco has been moved back and forth, in and out of the rotation in his young career. It appears that Francisco finally has settled in a starting role with the Winston-Salem Warthogs. While Francisco can hit 95 mph on the radar gun and can get batters out with his curveball, he still has trouble when he goes deep into counts. Off to a fast start, Francisco could be moved up a level to AA, possibly even AAA, if an opportunity presents itself.

 

21. Aaron Miles - 26 - S/R - 2nd Base – Charlotte Knights (AAA)

2003: .320 AVG, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 0 SB, 9 BB, 21 K

2002 (Birmingham-AA): .322 AVG, 9 HR, 68 RBI, 25 SB, 40 BB, 45 K

 

After a sub-par season at AA Birmingham (batting only .215 at home), Aaron Miles destroyed the Southern League in 2002 and garnered the attention of the White Sox. Miles has been compared to Anaheim Angels shortstop David Eckstein, but with more power. Miles, like Eckstein, is very small in height, but exerts maximum effort on the field. At 26, Miles is somewhat old for AAA, but age hasn’t been prohibitive for him. He’s continued his hot streak from last year, hitting a robust .353 with six homeruns at Charlotte. With current shortstop Jose Valentin in the last year of his contract, Miles may be the eventual successor at 2nd if D’Angelo Jimenez is moved from 2nd base to shortstop.

[doubleM23]

I haven't been around that much lately (summer school... :puke)... Where are the links to the first 2 installments? I was really looking forward to reading this. Thanks, in advance.

[whitesox61382]

I don't disagree with most of these picks. Here is where I had each of the players ranked.

 

Holt (47) - I had him rated lower because of his age. He is 24, which is too old for high A ball. He has been unable to put up good numbers at the upper minors. I also am not a big fan of his plate disipline, especially his high strikeout totals.

 

Rodriguez (37) - I had him a little lower because I am not a big fan of ranking guys that have only had 1 year in rookie ball that high. I am a big fan of consistancy and proving themselves at different levels in the minors. With that said, I am a big Rodriguez fan and think because of his potential that I have no problem with him being ranked as high as you guys have him.

 

LaMura (28) - Great minds think alike. We both had him ranked 28th. He has a solid arm and is putting up a good year, so I think this is a good place to put him.

 

Yofu (NR) - I stuck by my guidelines of no one over 25, but Yofu and Miles were the 2 guys that I contemplated adding to my list and breaking my guidelines. I think you can consider him a prospect because he isn't a career minor leaguer. He is from Japan and has a chance to make an impact in the near future. However, if he isn't in the majors by next year I don't think he will ever be in the majors.

 

Phillips (21) - I had Phillips ranked a little higher because I am a huge fan of pitchers with good control and fewer hits than innings pitched. He is also on a good pace as a youngster, and at a good level for his age. I am going to really start watching this kid now that he is healthy.

 

Rupe (25) - Once again we are identical with are ranking of Rupe. He looks like a future closer as he has been dominating since being moved to the pen.

 

West (22) - We were very close on this ranking as well. I think West's future is in the pen and you might see him moved there in the near future. He could become a domination closer by adding a few MPH to his already low-mid 90's fastball if moved to the pen. If he can ever learn to throw a consistant breaking ball and improve his control some he could be a very good closer.

 

Maeux (24) - Very close on this one as well. The one thing I don't like about him is his age. At 24 he needs to be at AA at the least. They should promote him since he has proven himself at high A ball and we can see what will happen to him at a higher level. Could become a lefty specialist.

 

Francisco (33) - I had him ranked lower because of his age, lack of control, and inability to put up consistantly good numbers at the upper minors. He has a good arm and his future is probably in the pen, but he will have to start progressing soon.

 

Miles (NR) - I didn't have him ranked because of his age, but I do think he has a decent possibility of making the majors. I don't feel he should be ranked this high though or above Hummel.

 

As you can see we are very close on a majority of are rankings. I take it that you guys don't have prospects like Spidale, Lopez(the pitcher), Haigwood, Malone, Castro, and Morse ranked? How do you feel about these guys and why didn't you think they were top 50 prospects? Keep up the good work and looking forward to the next list.

[Chisoxfn]

I think Mike Morse could be finding his way onto the list in the midseason installment. He's got great tools, but hadn't found the bat, although lately he's showing signs of putting things together.

 

Personally I'm not a big Spidale fan, although when Brumbaugh falls back to normal, Spidale could jump onto the list. Malone is on the list and will be on the next installment.

 

The big reason we didn't have Phillips higher is we made this list (The Actual Order) while he was in Extended Spring Training and we had concerns about his health. We are back to being high on him after his first start and I think he'll be up in Birmingham in no time.

 

Haigwood is also still to come on the segment. We like him quite a bit, as you'll see when his ranking comes out.

 

In the future were going to do 3 prospect lists during the year. One will be a preseason one (including AFL Stats), the other will be a midseason one (July - This is when the next list will be done) and the third one will be a postseason one.

 

One thing I'm already debating is where a few of our draft picks will fit into things. Cause I think the Sox nabbed a few guys that would be pretty high on the list.

[Chisoxfn]

I haven't been around that much lately (summer school... :puke)...  Where are the links to the first 2 installments?  I was really looking forward to reading this.  Thanks, in advance.

Here ya Go Matt

The Top 50 Countdown: 50-41

The Top 50 Countdown: 40-31

 

The next list may make it up tomorrow night, but most likely it won't be up until Thursday morning, simply because I'm a bit behind in getting the stats up.

[Chisoxfn]

Holt is a fringe prospect AT BEST. Unless a serious light bulb turns on soon, he is just another Minor Leaguer and shouldn't be on this list.

 

Phillips has problems with work ethic.  He needs to take care of himself better if he is going to make it.  Twice in his 3 years he has come to camp out of shape.  Health concerns should not be an issue.

 

West is another guy that, like you said, is on the verge of non-prospect status.  If he wasn't a 1st round draft pick, he wouldn't be on this list.  He has never found consistency in the Minors at all.

Never knew that about Phillips. I just assumed he was in extended spring training because of arm troubles. Thats not good news if he's just reporting out of shape. He's thrown innings in the minors, but man, someone has to drill it to him to get into camp in shape. He's got the shot to make good money at the majors if he works hard.

 

In regards to West, I'm not quite ready to give up on him, just like I'm not ready to give up on Malone, although he's constantly falling in my book. Both have really good potential.

 

Holt is another one of those guys that in my mind is on his last leg. Somehow he needs to get to AA and hit there. In my mind the big thing about him is he has very good power potential, but that can only keep ya on a list so long. Eventually you have to produce and do it at a higher level. I thought he was due to rebound after he seemed to figure things out last year.

[MnSoxFan]

Holt should not even be in our top 50, he should never have been asked for in Foulke trade.

 

Francisco is doing better, but overated here as is West.

[ChiSox10]

that is not true about heath he was in extended spring training because of arm trouble, and that is why is he in low a kannapolis.

i like spidale he is probobly one of the best center fielders in the carolina league as well as the organization

[Soxfest]

Holt should not even be in our top 50, he should never have been asked for in Foulke trade.

 

Francisco is doing better, but overated here as is West.

Holt has NO chance of ever making team