We now shift to the other side of Chicago, as we present our Chicago White Sox’ top prospects list.
| Name | Position | Grade | ETA | Risk | Notes | |
| 1 | Eloy Jimenez | OF | A | mid-2019 | Relatively High | There’s really nothing not to like about Eloy Jimenez. He looks like a No. 3 hitter who can post a .300/.400/.475 line with 35 home runs and solid defense. He was a fantastic get for the White Sox. |
| 2 | Michael Kopech | RHP | A-/B+ | 2018 | High | Kopech has the stuff to be a perennial Cy-Young Candidate. While he could stand to improve his control, it’s not a major issue. If he can limit walks to less than 3.7 BB/9 then we are looking at an ace. If not, he could be an Aroldis Chapman-esque closer. |
| 3 | Luis Robert | OF | B+ | late-2020 | Relatively High | Robert has a very well rounded set of tools, which would play very nicely at the top of the line-up. He probably could stay in center, but his glove and arm can play anywhere in the outfield. Obviously, he’s a ways away, but he’s promising. |
| 4 | Dane Dunning | RHP | B+/B | 2018 | Low | Dunning is my favorite arm in the system. He’s not a definite ace, however, he’s the pitcher in the system with the least risk. He should be a September call-up in 2018, and he will be competing for a steady rotation spot by 2019. |
| 5 | Dylan Cease | RHP | B/B+ | 2020 | Relatively High | Cease is a solid power-arm, however his control is a tad bit worrisome, and his change lags well behind his other two offerings. As a reliever, working one or two innings, we’re looking at a potential all-star. He’s a bit further away than expected, however he has the potential to be a major league producer. |
| 6 | Blake Rutherford | OF | B | 2021 | Relatively High | If Rutherford can tap into some of that power potential, he looks very similar to Todd Frazier, who he was actually traded for from the New York Yankees, in my opinion. A solid power hitter who is athletic to come up with double digit steals. There’s a little bit of risk here, but he should be a very productive major leaguer. |
| 7 | Ian Clarkin | LHP | B | 2018 | High | Clarkin is very underrated. Clarkin has dealt with injuries and every time he has come back standing. Overall, he gets the job done and going into the season at 23 years old, he could be up by September. |
| 8 | Alec Hansen | RHP | B | 2019 | High | Hansen looks to me like a guy who is going to go out there and look like an ace some days, and can’t find the strike zone others. Nevertheless, when he’s on, he’s unhittable which keeps him in the Sox plans. If he reaches Triple-A by June or July, we could see him in September, however 2019 is more likely. |
| 9 | Bernardo Flores | LHP | B-/C+ | early 2019 | Low | The fact that he has not gotten more publicity is criminal. He’s a solid lefty starter with a plus change, plus control and a potentially stellar fastball. His success will not come with the Sox though. |
| 10 | Zack Collins | C | B-/C+ | 2020 | High | Collins has no-doubt power and plate discipline, however he isn’t ever going to hit for much average. Furthermore, he may not behind the plate. He looks to be like the type of guy who is in the line-up everyday posting a .220/.335/.450 line with 30-home run potential. |
| 11 | Jameson Fisher | 1B | C+/B- | late-2018 | Low | Fisher looks like a Mitch Moreland with a higher average and worse defense. We can expect around .270/.380/.430 with 15-20 homers a year, which is still exceptionally productive. |
| 12 | Jake Burger | 3B | C+/B- | 2021 | Relative Low | Burger looks like the guys who bats seventh, but is a fan favorite due to his clutch hitting and make-up. While he’s not going to hit for tons of average and power, he looks to me like a Nick Swisher, Carlos Ruiz type in terms of his presence. |
| 13 | Ryan Cordell | OF | C+ | 2018 | Relatively Low | Cordell reminds me of a Freddy Galvis type player. Take his 2017 Triple-A numbers with a grain of salt seeing as how he was in the PCL, however don’t be shocked to see him play the role of a plus defender who can hit in the No. 6 hole (.240/.320/.400) with 20-home run possibilities and 15 stolen bases. |
| 14 | Tito Polo | OF | C+ | 2018 | Low | Hey MLB.com- in case you missed it, Polo posted an OPS over .800 and stole 34 bases in 2017. He is easily the most underrated prospect in the system. |
| 15 | Jordan Stephens | RHP | C+ | 2018 | Low | Stephens should be able to remain a starter. He looks like a very solid back-end starter with a solid fastball and great secondaries and control. He could be a sneaky contributor in 2018 |
| 16 | Spencer Adams | RHP | C+ | 2018 | Low | There’s not a huge ceiling here, however he can be a very solid back-ender who will consistently put up ERAs between 4.20 and 4.40 with solid control. He is also pretty durable which is a plus as well. |
| 17 | Charlie Tilson | OF | C+ | 2018 | High | Tilson is a complete unknown. Obviously, if he is able to come back healthy, he’s the starting center fielder for the Sox for the foreseeable future, however I’ve seen guys get hurt and then get passed over, just bad timing. Time will tell. |
| 18 | Daniel Palka | 1B | C+/C | 2018 | Low | Recently acquired off of waivers from Minnesota, Palka is pretty much major league ready and can be a 20-home run guy in a platoon capacity. He could have a huge impact in 2018 |
| 19 | Aaron Bummer | LHP | C+/C | 2018 | Low | His name is a huge waste of an opportunity. Aaron Bummer looks to me like a very, very solid lefty high leverage middle reliever or low setup man. |
| 20 | Carson Fulmer | RHP | C+/C | 2018 | Medium | Fulmer status has been inflated by his draft status. He has no control, and he gets hit a lot. The fastball/curve mix is enticing and it would be unwise to close the door on a nice career as a reliever, however he’s not a major league starter. |
| 21 | Zack Burdi | RHP | C/C+ | late-2018 | High | They shouldn’t rush him. Give him as much time as he needs to work the kinks out in his control. He has the upside of a late-inning reliever, however there’s a bit more risk than anyone had anticipated when he was drafted. |
| 22 | Thyago Vieira | RHP | C/C+ | 2018 | Low | Obviously the ceiling is sky high as Vieira is a righty who can throw about as hard as anyone, but there are certainly control issues. He could turn out to be a closer if he gets his control fixed up, however he could also wind up as a taxi-squad. |
| 23 | Jose Rondon | SS | C/C+ | 2018 | Low | Rondon is a 24-year-old shortstop with a very strong glove, and a bat that seems as if it will be good enough for him to be a platoon infielder. He may not hit more than five homers in a given season, however there is certainly doubles power .270/.310/.380 |
| 24 | Micker Adolfo | OF | C/C+ | 2021 | High | He has the power that makes scouts drool and his arm is absolutely amazing. His average and speed are lacking, however, and looks a little bit like a Delmon Young-type. |
| 25 | Luis Martinez | RHP | C/C+ | 2020 | Medium | Martinez isn’t bad, he’s just underwhelming in terms of control and stuff. He looks like a swing man whose stuff might play up in middle relief. |
| 26 | Patrick Leonard | 3B | C/C+ | 2018 | Low | Leonard has a nice power and speed mix and while he may never make enough contact to be a major league regular, he could be a rather exciting guy to have on the bench. |
| 27 | Casey Gillaspie | 1B | C/C+ | 2018 | Low | Gillaspie has always been a bit overrated. He has had a tough time adjusting to the high minor leagues, and may not be able to make consistent enough contact to be an everyday guy. |
| 28 | Gavin Sheets | 1B | C/C+ | 2019 | Medium | The hit tool is rough, however he has power that is expected of a first baseman and he has a very nice arm as well. Furthermore he is pretty polished. Don’t expect a ton out of him, however he could at least be a replacement level major leaguer. |
| 29 | A.J. Puckett | RHP | C | 2019 | Low | Puckett biggest weapon is his change, however his margin for error isn’t very big based on an underwhelming fastball and a lacking curve. Luckily, his control is rather solid and the change is a huge plus. |
| 30 | Jose Ruiz | RHP | C | 2019 | Medium | Ruiz is a huge question mark. He has shown great potential, and is still very raw on the mound, however has not posted encouragin results. Expect Ruiz to begin the season in Birmingham. |
| 31 | Colton Turner | LHP | C | 2018 | Relatively Low | A bit older for a prospect, Turner could be a very effective left-handed middle reliever as soon as 2018. He was acquired in the Dioner Navarro trade in 2016 from Toronto. |
| 32 | Jace Fry | LHP | C | 2018 | Low | Fry looks like a LOOGY. We should get a chance to see him in 2018 in some capacity. |
| 33 | Jordan Guerrero | LHP | C | 2018 | Low | He has a great change and great control, however his fastball is only okay and his curve isn’t very good. Nevertheless, he could be decent in a middle relief role. |
| 34 | Luis Alexander Basabe | OF | C | 2019 | High | At the very least, he’s an all glove fourth outfielder, however it doesn’t look like he’s going to hit enough to ever become a starter. He strikes out a lot and has very little power. |
| 35 | Tyler Danish | RHP | C | 2019 | Low | Danish was rushed to the majors. If he is sent back to Double-A until he figures it out and follows the route most prospects take, then he could be up in a few years as a back-ender, but again that’s a huge if. Right now, he’s a swing. |
| 36 | Thaddius Lowry | RHP | C | 2019 | Relatively Low | I don’t think Lowry is a starter long term. A move to the bullpen could be beneficial as his stuff could really play up. |
| 37 | Brad Goldberg | RHP | C | 2018 | Low | The size and velocity are plusses, but the control is really bad. He looks like a taxi-squad reliever with a high ceiling that he is unlikely to reach. |
| 38 | Dean Anna | UTIL | C | 2018 | Low | What you see is what you get with Anna. He’s a versatile, veteran utility guy who still qualifies as a rookie despite being 31 years old. He could see time with the Sox with good performance in Triple-A. |
| 39 | Yeyson Yrizarri | INF | C | 2020 | Medium | The bat is rough, however at the very least, his glove should give him an opportunity as an emergency call-up somewhere. |
| 40 | Evan Skoug | C | C | 2020 | Medium | As a left-handed power bat, there is obvious appeal for Skoug, however his other tools are rough and due to that, it doesn’t look like he will be serving as anything more than an emergency catcher or organizational depth. |
| 41 | Matt Skole | 1B | C | 2018 | Low | Skole was once a pretty solid prospect for the Nationals mainly due to his power, however, he has never been able to hit for consistent average which has clouded his prospect status. While Chicago is a good landing spot, his ceiling is that of an emergency call-up, or depth more than anything else. |
| 42 | Alex Call | OF | C | 2021 | High | The hit tool is worrisome. Overall his arm and speed are solid, however considering he has struggled in the low minor leagues at 23 years old, it doesn’t look like he can catch up to major league or even upper minor league pitching. |
| 43 | Amado Nunez | 3B | C | 2021 | High | His only tool that is playable is his arm, and it doesn’t look like he’s anything more than depth |
| 44 | Ti’Quan Forbes | INF | C | 2020 | High | Forbes is a player kept alive by his draft status, and while he has the tools to be a solid player, he’s looking like depth at this point. |
| 45 | Juan Perez | UTIL | C | 2019 | Relatively Low | Perez was hurt for the majority of 2017, however has only posted lackluster numbers over his time in the minor leagues. While he has the versatility to be an emergency call-up, it doesn’t seem wise to anticipate any more. |
| 46 | Dustin Antolin | RHP | C | 2018 | Low | Antolin isn’t really much of a prospect, he will serve as Triple-A depth an could get a call-up as a depth addition |
Need to check link to Spencer Adams.
Are you serious with this list? Seby Zavala isnt even on here. Jordan guerrero was a southern league all star last year and you have him at 33. The often injured clarkin who hasnt pitched above low A above dunning and hansen. Your prediction for spencer adams sounds like his floor as he is just 21 with his body just beginning to fill out despite already having a year and a half experience at AA.
Just saw you have dunning at 4, didnt see that at first as it was covered by the twitter ad. Bernie flores at 9 though, most of his starts he works with an upper 80s fastball