FutureSox looks at the White Sox relieving pitching prospects

The relieving pitching prospects looked at were Chris Sale, Gregory Infante, Kyle Bellamy, Ryan Buch, and Santos Rodriguez:

Infante was recently cut from Major League camp, but figures to get some innings with the Sox at some point in 2011. After transitioning to the bullpen last season he showed major heat. His fastball sits mid to high 90s and has been clocked hitting triple digits. His curve is a good pitch, but Infante needs to be more consistent with it. He has the potential for a one-two punch of plus pitches. Of course, control is key and that will probably be the No. 1 thing to watch in Charlotte this year.

White Sox invite 14 players to Spring Training

whitesox.com:

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitchers Brian Bruney, Jeff Gray, Josh Kinney, Shane Lindsay and Miguel Socolovich, catchers Donny Lucy and Jared Price and infielder Dallas McPherson. All eight players, in addition to six players within the White Sox system, have received non-roster invites to the club’s spring training camp in Glendale, Ariz.

Right-handed pitchers Kyle Bellamy and Brandon Hynick, left-hander Charlie Leesman, outfielders Jordan Danks and Brandon Short and catcher Josh Phegley all received invites to major-league camp from within the organization. Five of the 14 spring training invitees have major-league experience.

… White Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Thursday, February 17, with physicals and a workout scheduled for the same day. Position players will report and undergo physicals on Tuesday, February 22. The first full-squad workout also will take place at that time.

FutureSox’ White Sox Top 25 post-season prospects list [UPDATE]

FutureSox:

1. Chris Sale
2. Dayan Viciedo
3. Brent Morel
4. Jared Mitchell
5. Tyler Flowers
6. Trayce Thompson
7. Eduardo Escobar
8. Jacob Petricka
9. Jordan Danks
10. Addison Reed
…

UPDATE: Jim covers the White Sox Top 10 prospect list by Phil Rogers for Baseball America.

Fangraphs’ “must watch” and more 2011 White Sox prospects

Both articles are from Bryan Smith. First the “must watch” prospects:

In 56 plate appearances (so, sample size alert), Sale held right-handers to a .120/.214/.240 batting line. He did it while throwing them six change-ups in 220 pitches (2.7%), which accounted for 3 balls, 2 called strikes and 1 swinging strike. It was a non-factor. as he went with a two-pitch approach: 66.8% four seamers, 26.4% sliders. And, to my surprise, looking at his Texas Leaguers chart, he wasn’t just back-dooring the slider everytime. It’s a pitch he trusts, and a pitch that works, against right-handers. …

and those prospects outside the ‘Top 10′:

I credit Baseball America and Matt Eddy being the first to make me aware of Mike Blanke, the team’s 13th-round pick from the Division II University of Tampa. Blanke hit .329/.400/.508 in the Pioneer League, where Eddy ranked him as the number seven prospect. He wrote, “…he would have gone much earlier had clubs had any inkling that he would show plus power, arm strength and receiving skills in his pro debut.” …

FutureSox reviews the 2010 Birmingham Barons

Norris:

Jim Gallagher ended up being named the Barons team MVP for 2010.  Deservedly so, as he led the team in most offensive categories.  I’ve already stated before that I see him as a Ross Gload type if he were to make it to the majors.  He certainly is passionate enough to put forth the effort to get there.  I expect him to be in Charlotte for 2011.

Anthony Carter was named Barons pitcher of the year after having a fantastic run as a closer.  Hopefully he can build on that and put himself into consideration as a future big league reliever.  Deunte Heath pitched excellently for the Barons in relief, striking out 84 in 57.2 innings.  The White Sox made a good call giving him a second chance.  Both Carter and Heath should be in Charlotte in 2011.

Stats:

Gallagher (25 years old): .590 PA, 292/.390/.425/.815, 74 BB / 89 K, .339 BABIP, .361 wOBA
Carter (24): 57.1 IP, 22 BB / 58 K, 3.92 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 3.91 FIP, .282 BABIP
Heath (25): 57.2 IP, 32 BB / 84 K, 3.12 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.23 FIP, .369 BABIP

Stats for other Sox prospects.

FutureSox’ Midseason Top 25 Prospects

Cassidy:

Rank	Player	Points	Previous	Change
1	Dan Hudson	179	1	unch
2	Dayan Viciedo	172	4	+2
3	Chris Sale	168	n/a	NEW
4	Tyler Flowers	161	2	-2
5	Jared Mitchell	156	5	unch

…

I’d rank them in this order: Hudson, Sale, Flowers, Mitchell, Viciedo.

SoxMachine’s midseason prospect progress report

Jim @ SM:

Jose Martinez

.333/.392/.486 in 72 ABs; 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 BB, 10 K.

It feels like he’s pushing 30, but Martinez will turn only 22 later this month.  He’s been out of baseball for two full years, but the Sox aren’t shying away from testing him.  He played just 39 games at Kannapolis before his knee injury, but he’s succeeding in Winston-Salem.

That could be a factor of the apparently friendly hitting environment at BB&T Ballpark, but if Martinez can finish the year healthy and hitting like this, the Sox have a genuine outfield prospect in the fold.

Martinez’ stats @ FI.

More prospects reports at the link.

Juan Silverio promoted to Class A Kannapolis Intimidators and more

Mansch @ GF Tribune:

The Voyagers, who open a three-game series tonight in Casper, Wyo., against the Ghosts, will be without star third baseman Juan Silverio, who Tuesday was promoted to Single-A Kannapolis in the Sally League. Silverio was hitting .299 with team-high totals of 26 hits, nine doubles, three homers, 16 RBIs and 44 total bases.Cron said he is happy for Silverio, a 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic.

“That’s kind of what it’s all about,” he said of the promotion. “Juan came here with a nice positive attitude and worked his tail off to produce. He did a great job for us and he deserves a chance to move up. At the same time I feel real good about the guys who are going to step in there.”

Hopefully things go better this time.

UPDATE: FutureSox’ has more.

Chris Sale promoted to Class AAA Charlotte Knights

Tommy Bowman @ The Winston-Salem Journal:

Manager Joe McEwing said that there was other cause for celebration last night, although Dash fans might not share as much enthusiasm. Three players — closer Kyle Bellamy, shortstop Eduardo Escobar and reliever Chris Sale — all will move up the Chicago White Sox ladder today.

Escobar, who hit .285 and scored a team-leading 57th run last night, and Bellamy, who improved to 5-0 with a 1.52 earned-run average with a victory in relief last night, have been reassigned to Class AA Birmingham. Sale, a first-round pick in last month’s major-league draft, is being bumped up to Class AAA Charlotte.

“This is the fun part of the job,” McEwing said. “To see the kids get closer to their dream is pretty rewarding.”

UPDATE: Sale’s reaction:

“I was stunned at first,” said Sale, who gave up two runs, one earned, in his one inning of work.” They said, ‘You did fine and got yourself out of a jam.’ Then they said, ‘You’re going to Triple A. Congratulations.’ It was like, ‘Wow.’ “

FutureSox Minor-League podcast

Mazzuca:

This month, Anthony Mazzuca talks to Alex Vispoli, Winston-Salem Dash Director of Media Relations and Broadcaster, and Josh Ellis, who holds the same positions with the Kannapolis Intimidators. Dan Santaromita also gives a run down of the recent happenings with the Knights and Barons, as the FutureSox.com Podcast has the White Sox minor league system covered.

Minor-League moves

Ellis:

RHP Kyle Bellamy and INF Jeff Tezak have been promoted to Hi-A Winston-Salem, we wish them the best of luck.

The Intimidators have received 2009 second round pick and #6 ranked prospect Trayce Thompson as well as RHP Phil Negus. I’d assume they will not play today, we’ll see.

FutureSox’ Top 25 White Sox prospects

FutureSox:

Rank	Player	Points	Previous	Change
1	Dan Hudson	208	2	1
2	Tyler Flowers	203	1	-1
3	Jordan Danks	194	4	1
4	Dayan Viciedo	186	3	-1
5	Jared Mitchell	184	6	1
6	Brent Morel	178	7	1

…

MLB.com’s 2010 Sox prospects and organization preview

Top 10 prospects:

Clevelan Santeliz, RHP: A setup man extraordinaire at Birmingham last summer, the Venezuelan prospect was added to the 40-man roster after posting an 0.96 ERA in 40 games and striking out 52 batters in 56 1/3 innings. He moved to the closer role at the end of the season and collected 10 saves. Throwing a fastball in the mid-90s and a plus slider, he pitches with a lot of energy and is a ton of fun to watch.

organization preview:

LHP David Holmberg (2[nd round]) is a high school star out of Florida who has four solid pitches, with a fastball that touches 90 mph, a 12-6 curve, a changeup and a slider. He also has a good feel for the mound.

RHP Kyle Bellamy (5) out of Miami is a fast-track prospect who combined for a 1.23 ERA in 20 games in relief between Bristol and Kannapolis, walking just two while striking out 32 in 22 innings. He limited hitters to a .169 average and then moved on to the Arizona Fall League, where he had a 1.59 ERA in five games.

RHP Justin Collop (6) out of Toledo had a 2.72 ERA in 15 games for Great Falls, striking out 33 in 39 2/3 innings and limiting Pioneer League hitters to a .257 average.

RHP Ryan Buch (8) out of Monmouth had the best fastball in the Draft class, one that touched the high 90s, as well as a curveball with plus potential. In 16 games in relief, he had a 3.38 ERA and limited hitters to a .183 average at Great Falls.

Buddy Bell’s conference call

FutureSox notes from Buddy Bell’s conference call:

• On Dayan Viciedo: “He has such great hands. He can sit back and drive the ball the other way.” However, he said Dayan gets opposite field happy and gets anxious. They are trying to get him to stay behind the ball more because he is so quick.
• David Holmberg looks real good. He has great instincts for his age, but they will be slower with him this year because there are older guys they need to see at a higher level. He has big upside. The coaches don’t have to tell him twice what to do.

Buddy Bell mentions correcting Tyler Flowers’ swing like Kenny Williams.

He also touches on Gregory Infante, Dan Remenowsky, C.J. Retherford, Jordan Danks, John Shelby, Kyle Bellamy.

FutureSox reviews Sox Relieving pitching prospects

Here’s what they have to say on Sergio Santos:

What he needs to improve: Control, big time. Santos has the ability to be a very good Major League reliever, but until he can harness his stuff he isn’t going to succeed. His slider can be inconsistent.