Ventura was asked about a few key matters during an interview session with White Sox beat reporters on Thursday and came up with a few pre-Spring Training solutions. The White Sox starting rotation, which looks to be one of its strongest suits, seems all but set with John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. According to Ventura, Philip Humber has the advantage at No. 5 over any of the young newcomers such as Nestor Molina or returnees such as Zach Stewart or Dylan Axelrod.”Phil would be that leader heading into the clubhouse,” Ventura said of Humber, whose breakout 2011 effort resulted in a 9-9 record and 3.75 ERA. “I don’t see anything changing with that at this point. We will see during Spring Training, but I’m confident in Phil in doing that No. 5 position.”Humber posted an 8-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and .218 opponents average against in the first half, but had a 1-4 mark, 5.01 ERA and .287 average against after the All-Star break.

Reliever Matt Thornton‘s season was slightly reversed, as the left-hander posted a 2.45 ERA over 52 games after May 1 following an 8.64 ERA in April. Thornton also had blown saves in his first four chances, although he didn’t have the best of luck behind him. Even with that slow start, Ventura tabbed Thornton on Thursday as his leading 2012 closer candidate over rookie Addison Reed and Jesse Crain. “I’m leaning on Matt doing that,” Ventura said. “I don’t think those type of things are concrete. I would like to see him do that, but we’ll see how that goes in Spring Training with him and how he feels.”

In Ventura’s estimation, the team doesn’t have a true utility infielder at this point. Brent Lillibridge earned high praise from Ventura for his versatility and talent, but he wasn’t identified as a possible backup shortstop. Ventura said that Alex Rios could see time in both left field and center field, and as of now, Alejandro De Aza looks to be the leadoff man. Of course, it’s just late January and things could change by the end of Cactus League action. “Gordon [Beckham] could probably do it depending on how he feels about that and how he looks in Spring Training, as far as getting on base,” Ventura said of the leadoff slot. “He has more power than normal leadoff guys, but he’s one of them.”

The Chicago White Sox, Comcast SportsNet, WGN-TV and WSCR-AM 670 (The Score) have announced the team’s 2012 spring training broadcast schedule.The White Sox will have six Cactus League games televised from Arizona (five on Comcast SportsNet and one on WGN).  WSCR, the club’s flagship radio station, will air nine games (including four interactive broadcasts).  The Sox also will webcast 12 additional spring training games free on whitesox.com, up from nine in 2011.

The first televised spring training game is by WGN on Friday, March 9 at 2:05 p.m. CST when the White Sox face the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch – Glendale.  Comcast SportsNet will televise the first of its five spring games on Friday, March 23 when the Sox face the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:05 p.m. CDT in Glendale.  CSN will close out their spring broadcast schedule on Tuesday, April 3 when the White Sox play the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park at 7:00 p.m. CDT. …

complete schedule follows:

J.J. Stankevitz:

The Stuff

His fastball rates plus with mid-to-late 90s velocity and tailing action into right-handed hitters.  He spot his heat at both sides of the plate and shows above average command of all his pitches.

The slider has been labeled a plus-plus pitch by some scouts.  Terrific downward biting action.  He throws it with great confidence.  A true swing’ n’ miss offering.

His change-up has been called average. which in fine since his likely destination is the bullpen and the fastball/slider combo is plenty good enough there.  It’s a pitch he could show from time to time to give left-handed hitters something to think about. …

Stats: B-R, FG, SC

Fans of the late Chuck Tanner’s 1972 White Sox squad, featuring Dick Allen, Bill Melton and Wilbur Wood, to name a few, will get a 40-year memory jog this year on Sundays at U.S. Cellular Field when the 2012 team wears uniforms similar to those that group wore.

The uniforms will feature the red pinstriped jersey with the iconic “Sox” script over the chest, red numbers (front and back) and a White Sox patch on the sleeve, along with the popular red cap with its unique variation of the Sox script. The White Sox will wear the throwback uniforms on 13 Sundays this season, starting with April 15 vs. Detroit.

Other White Sox links:

• James looks at the spring training non-roster invitees, and the Prince Fielder signing by Detroit.
• J.J. looks at what the Prince Fielder signing means to the Sox, and looks back at the 1972 Sox.
• Addison Reed ranked #100 on MLB.com’s Top 100 prospect list compiled by Jonathan Mayo.
• NotHawk details what Hawk’s answers interview to Daryl van Schouwen really mean. Here’s a hilarious point:
  DVS: What do you like about this team?
  NH: I like that the season hasn’t started yet.

With Eduardo Escobar already on the fringes of the big-league roster and Tyler Saladino on the horizon, why wouldn’t Ken Williams consider sending Ramirez and [Gavin] Floyd to Boston in a package for as much 25-and-under talent as possible?

One rumor bouncing around says Ramirez isn’t the White Sox regular the Red Sox are eyeing for the shortstop opening they created when they traded Marco Scutaro to the Rockies. It says they think Gordon Beckham is capable of regaining his ability as a run-producer and returning to the position he played at the University of Georgia.

Eduardo Escobar playing 2B? I don’t see this happening.

Looks like a slimmer Adam Dunn will be at Sox Fest next week. Heard he's lost 30 pounds.—
Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) January 21, 2012

But today Daryl Van Schouwen tweets:

Dunn has been working out — and swinging bat for the first time in offseason — but rumors of significant weight loss greatly exaggerated—
Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) January 25, 2012

Luckily we were able to track down some great video from someone who posted four at-bats of Cespedes playing for Granma, his team in Cuba. In the video, Cespedes is the hitter in the first three at-bats, after which a double from Leslie Anderson (Rays) of Camaguey and Yoelvis Fiss of Ciego de Avila are spliced in between one final at-bat from Cespedes. I’m not much for spoilers (I always like to go in fresh), but I don’t think anyone should be surprised that these aren’t clips of him rolling over grounders to the shortstop.

The YouTube feed has some other great clips of Cubans, including Leonys Martin facing Aroldis Chapman, at-bats from Yulieski Gourriel and Alfredo Despaigne, an 18-year-old Kendrys Morales homering and the Cuban team facing Rangers righthander Yu Darvish in the 2008 Olympics, among other highlights. I would definitely recommend perusing when you have the time.

UPDATE: Cespedes established residency in the Dominican Republic.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitcher Brian Bruney, left-handers Leyson Septimo and Eric Stults, catchers Damaso Espino and Hector Gimenez, infielders Dallas McPherson and Ray Olmedo and outfielder Delwyn Young.  All eight players, in addition to 10 players within the White Sox system, have received non-roster invites to the club’s spring training camp in Glendale, Ariz.

Right-handers Brian Omogrosso and Jacob Petricka, catchers Michael Blanke and Josh Phegley, infielders Jim Gallagher and Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Jordan Danks, Jared Mitchell, Brandon Short and Trayce Thompson, all received invites to major-league camp from within the organization.  Six of the 18 spring training invitees have major-league experience.

There seems to be 5 openings:

… Assuming the White Sox take 12 pitchers and make no further moves, one relief spot and four bench spots appear to be available. Brent Lillibridge and Tyler Flowers are certain to make the team, with Ozzie Martinez and Eduardo Escobar competing for the utility infield slot. Danks, Young, Gallagher, Bruney and Stults all have chances to compete for these final two openings.

Other White Sox links:

• J.J. has video from an excited Chris Sale, and text from a ready Jake Peavy.
• James looks at Juan Pierre’s games with the Sox, and the latest rumblings of Ozzie Guillen. Thankfully he’s not the Sox manager anymore. And KenWo has some advice for Mr. Guilllen.
• John Sickels ranked the farm systems of every baseball team, and Dave Gershman at BTB published his ‘Top 12 White Sox prospects’ list for 2012.
• Trayce Thompson gave an interview to Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.

Sale just got back from Maui on late honeymoon, said he started training to be a starter in late Nov.—
Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 23, 2012

When Q! got married he lost the ! and became Q. Hopefully Sale doesn’t follow Quentin.

Q: Jared Mitchell, Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker are all raw, toolsy White Sox draft choices, and all have had their problems making contact in the minors. Who’s most likely to have a productive major league career, and how would you rank them defensively?

A: The White Sox spend less on the draft than any team, but they invested $1.2 million in Mitchell as a 2009 first-round pick and gave rare (for them) above-slot bonuses to Thompson ($625,000 in the second round in 2009) and Walker ($795,000 in the sandwich round last year). All three are high-risk, high-reward prospects and their inability to make consistent contact could cause them all to go bust rather than boom.

Thompson is the best bet to be a useful big leaguer, because he has the broadest base of tools. He may always strike out and never hit for a high average, but he has a lot more power potential than Mitchell or Walker. Thompson is an average runner with good instincts on the bases and in center field, and he has enough arm strength to be a legitimate right fielder.

Walker has the speed to make an impact on the bases and in center field, but he’s going to have to make significant strides with his on-base ability. Mitchell, who won national titles in baseball and football (as a wide receiver) at Louisiana State, is the best all-around athlete of the trio. But he hasn’t been the same player since he tore a tendon in his left ankle when he ran into an outfield fence in the spring of 2010.

Walker is the best defender of the three, followed by Mitchell and Thompson in that order. None of them is the top defensive outfielder in Chicago’s system, however. That distinction belongs to Jordan Danks.

Looks like a slimmer Adam Dunn will be at Sox Fest next week. Heard he's lost 30 pounds.—
Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) January 21, 2012

Other White Sox links:

• James looks on regular 3B Brent Morel, and recently retired SS Orlando Cabrera. He also detailed why the White Sox probably won’t be particularly competitive in 2012 on southside showdown.
• J.J. details the recent Sox improvement moves.
• SeedlingsToStars’ Nathaniel Stoltz says there is little hope for Jared Mitchell.

1) Addison Reed, RHP, Grade B+: The best closer prospect in baseball thanks to superior command of 93-97 MPH fastball and devastating slider. One of my favorite prospects.

2) Nestor Molina, RHP, Grade B+: Acquired from the Blue Jays for Sergio Santos, and immediately became Chicago’s first or second-best prospect. I think he can remain a starter. Molina was a big topic of discussion earlier this winter. I like him a lot.

4) Simon Castro, RHP, Grade C+: Acquired from the Padres for Carlos Quentin. Live fastball, but secondary pitches went backwards last year and will need to rebound if he wants to stay a starter. The change of scenery could help him.

…We’ll start with the good stuff first. Both Nestor Molina and Addison Reed are personal favorites. I originally had Molina one spot ahead because I think he can start. Of course, I think Reed could probably start too, but given how well he pitched last year I can understand their desire to keep him in the bullpen. He should be ready to close sometime in 2012, perhaps out of spring training. I went back and forth on this but in the end I ranked Reed slightly ahead.

BTW, here’s the original list:

1) Addison Reed, RHP, Grade B+: Acquired from the Blue Jays for Sergio Santos, and immediately became Chicago’s first or second-best prospect. I think he can remain a starter. Molina was a big topic of discussion earlier this month.

2) Nestor Molina, RHP, Grade B+: The best closer prospect in baseball thanks to superior command of 93-97 MPH fastball and devastating slider. You can make a case to rank him ahead of Molina, if you think Molina will be a reliever.

3) Tyler Saladino, SS, Grade C+: 2010 seventh round pick out of Oral Roberts developed from draft sleeper into solid prospect. Good power for a middle infielder, and has some idea about the strike zone, scouts like his work ethic. Main issue now is if he can stick at shortstop, and I think he has a decent chance to do so.

4) Trayce Thompson, OF, Grade C+: Highest-ceiling bat in system, tapping into his power now and making good progress on defense. Kills lefties but has serious contact problems against right-handed pitching. Struck out 172 times while repeating Low-A. Has the tools to be a star slugger but also carries a high risk of failure.

5) Hector Santiago, LHP, Grade C+: Came out of nowhere to reach the majors (briefly) in 2011 thanks to development of a new screwball to go with 90-95 MPH fastball. Third pitch still needs work and it is unclear if he starts or relieves in the long run, although recent rumors indicate the Sox will continue to start him. Projects as number three/four starter if third pitch develops, or a power relief arm.

Hopefully Coop will help Castro with his secondary pitches in Spring Training.

In a 3-2 count against Astros righthander Rhiner Cruz, Cespedes lifted a 97-mph fastball over the left field wall in the sixth inning. Including tonight’s game (as of the eighth inning, Cespedes was 1-for-4), Cespedes is 3-for-24 (.125) with a hit by pitch, no walks and six strikeouts while serving as the Aguilas DH.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_xDVWfTkuc

Seems to me his bat speed is pretty good.

American League Central
Team	Wins	Losses
DET	91	71
MIN	85	77
CHA	76	86
CLE	76	86
KCA	63	99

Other White Sox links:

• J.J. says the White Sox were close to signing Kerry Wood and  looks at the link between Jared Mitchell and Josh Fields.
• James looks at the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero trade, and Jake Peavy saying Ozzie Guillen quit on the Sox.
• Jim Thome was interviewed by Chuck Garfien (video). Big Jim, who the Phillies think of playing at 1B, thinks Adam Dunn, a player that’s very similar to him, will rebound this season.
• colin posts the 1st part of his pitching primer. Part 2 of colin’s pitching primer is here.

Shortstop: Tyler Saladino. Saladino’s almost a year younger than Wilkins, plays on the other side of the defensive spectrum, and still outpaced his teammate in slugging (.501) and Isolated Power (.231), while maintaining a 90/51 K/BB in 102 games in High-A. He’s not an elite defender at short, but should certainly be fine at second base. He could be a poor man’s Dan Uggla. Grade: B

Starting Pitcher #1: Nestor Molina. Easily the best prospect in the system, Molina is an excellent “performance prospect,” completely dominating High-A and Double-A en route to a 148/16 K/BB ratio. He’s not without stuff though, with a solid low-90′s fastball and very good splitter. A potentially excellent #2/#3-type starter. Grade: A-

Starting Pitcher #2: Dylan Axelrod. Axelrod is already 26, but he pitched well in Double-A, Triple-A, and a September callup. He owns a devastating slider and hits his spots with an 88-92 mph fastball. He should provide several good seasons toward the back of the rotation, starting in 2012. Grade: B-

Relief Pitcher #1: Addison Reed. Reed has a filthy three-pitch mix, with a mid-90′s fastball, tilting 78-83 mph slider, and fading mid-80′s changeup. He blitzed through four minor league levels last year and ended the year with a successful stint in the big leagues; he should make a big impact in 2012. Grade: B

Molina becoming a a #2/#3 starter would be most excellent. More at the link.