Baseball-Intellect’s 2011 Top 15 White Sox prospects (6-15)

Eisenberg @ BI:

6. Addison Reed | RHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C+
7. Eduardo Escobar | SS | Age – 22 | Grade – C+
8. Tyler Flowers | C/1b | Age – 25 | Grade – C+
9. Greg Infante | RHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C+
10. Thomas Royse | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – C+
11. Andre Rienzo | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – C+
12. Tyler Saladino | SS | Age – 21 | Grade – C+
13. Brandon Short | OF | Age – 22 | Grade – C+
14. Anthony Carter | RHP | Age – 25 | Grade – C
15. Matt Heidenreich | RHP | Age – 20 | Grade – C 

The following was the comment for Andre Rienzo: “Intriguing sleeper…report contains a breakdown of his mechanics, which are pretty Tim Lincecum-esque.” That’s a hell of a teaser!

For comments on all 10 prospects as well as a scouting report on Addison Reed hit the link. Here are Prospects 1-5.

Kevin Goldstein’s 2011 Top 11 White Sox prospects [UPDATE]

Goldstein @ BP:

Five-Star Prospects
1. Chris Sale, LHP
Four-Star Prospects
2. Eduardo Escobar, SS
3. Brent Morel, 3B
Three-Star Prospects
4. Dayan Viciedo, 1B/3B
5. Jared Mitchell, CF
6. Jacob Petricka, RHP
7. Greg Infante, RHP
8. Trayce Thompson, OF
Two-Star Prospects
9. Addison Reed, RHP
10. Thomas Royse, RHP
11. Andre Rienzo, RHP

9 more and Goldstein’s scouting report on Chris Sale at the link.

UPDATE: Goldstein discusses the White Sox Top 11/20 on Episode 25 of his podcast (mp3). The White Sox discussion is at the 72:30 mark and runs for about 12 minutes.

John Sickels’ White Sox Top 20 Prospects for 2011

Sickels:

1) Chris Sale, LHP, Grade A: I don’t see how I can give him anything but a Grade A considering how his debut went. Starter or closer, either way he looks great to me.

2) Brent Morel, 3B, Grade B: Should be a solid regular, very good glove, bat will be enough, Joe Randa comps are common and accurate, in my view.

… 9) Andre Rienzo, RHP, Grade C+: This guy is a huge sleeper. You won’t see him on many other lists, but he has good stuff and good numbers. From Brazil.

The rest at the link.

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.” …

Baseball America’s Pioneer League Top 20 Prospects

Eddy @ BA:

7. Mike Blanke, c, Great Falls (White Sox)

8. Addison Reed, rhp, Great Falls (White Sox)

19. Thomas Royse, rhp, Great Falls (White Sox)

Fangraphs reviews the 2010 AL Central draft classes

Smith:

I have to hope and assume that Sale will soak in some knowledge from Don Cooper these last two months, but then be ready to open next season in Double-A, as a starter. Petricka has some fantastic potential, and don’t sleep on ninth-round pick Kevin Moran, who also has a good arm. …

FutureSox looks at how the 2010 draft class is doing so far

FutureSox:

It’s been just over 2 months since the draft and most of the top picks have been signed, and signed for a while, so I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how they were performing. Now it should be noted that sample sizes of this size are relatively meaningless, but it’s interesting to look at nonetheless.

Top 10 rounds plus a selected other:

6 K / 0 BB for RHP Thomas Royse

7/24:

Great Falls
Player	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Royse	6.0	2	1	1	0	6	0	3.73
Curry	1.0	3	2	2	1	2	0	7.91
Gehle	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	5.74
Wilson, J (W, 5-0)	2.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	1.80

2010 supplemental 3rd round draft pick Thomas Royse has a 26 K / 5 BB ratio in 31.1 innings.

7 K / 0 BB for 2010 s3rd round draft pick Thomas Royce

7/19:

Great Falls
Player	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Royse	6.0	4	3	3	0	7	1	4.26
McCray	3.0	3	0	0	1	3	0	3.24
Gehle (L, 1-3)	0.2	2	1	1	2	0	0	6.14

Royse has 20 K to 5 BB in 25.1 innings.

Kevin Goldstein on the White Sox draft

Goldstein:

13. Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast

Inside the Pick: Every draft has one player who takes a surprising fall, and this year it was Sale. For the player some thought was the best college pitcher in the draft to fall to 13^th overall is a massive get for the White Sox.
What He is: Sale is the rare pitcher who combines size (6-foot-6), velocity (up to 96 mph), and plus command from the left side. His changeup was among the best in the draft, and he consistently dominated week after week, including in his few starts against top-notch competition.
What He is Not: Sale’s low three-quarters arm slot gives some scouts concern. It prevents him from being able to get around on his slider, and gives right-handed hitters a very long look at the ball.
Path with the White Sox: Sale shouldn’t have too many problems at the lower levels based solely on his velocity and command. If he can find a dependable breaking ball, he has a chance to really move quickly.

More at the link.

John Sickels’ White Sox Draft Review

Sickels:

1) Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast University: No one expected Sale to fall this far, 13^th overall. He’s a steal in this slot. Although his delivery is unconventional, he repeats it well and I’m not convinced that his injury risk is any higher than any other pitcher.

2) Jacob Petricka, RHP, Indiana State University: Raw before this year, Petricka improved his mechanics this year and got his fastball up to 98 MPH at times. He still needs refinement, but has a lot of potential as a relief arm.

3) Addison Reed, RHP,San Diego State: Very polished, Reed throws 89-92 as a starter but hit the mid-90s when used as a closer in ’09. He has a good slider and changeup. If used in rotation, he looks like a number three or four starter, but if he moves to the pen he could move very fast as a closer through the system.

3S) Thomas Royse, RHP, University of Louisville: Another polished arm, with a 90 MPH fastball and a workable slider and changeup.

4) …

White Sox sign supplemental 3rd round pick Thomas Royce

Gonzales:

Louisville pitcher Thomas Royse signed a contract with the White Sox. Royse was a third-round compensation pick in this week’s amateur draft. Royse will report to short-season Great Falls.

Royse’s College Stats:

Year	era	w-l	app-gs	cg	sho	sv	ip	h	r	er	bb	so	2b	3b	hr	ab	b/avg	wp	hbp	bk	sfa	sha
2009-10	2.85	9-1	16-16	0	0/3	0	104.1	100	37	33	26	99	17	3	10	389	.257	2	6	0	1	9
2008-09	3.48	3-2	12-6	1	1/0	2	41.1	35	21	16	10	48	6	2	2	153	.229	3	0	1	1	0
2007-08	4.80	4-0	26-1	0	0/0	1	50.2	59	34	27	11	51	11	0	8	207	.285	2	3	2	1	1

Some info from FutureSox:

Royse, the Friday starter for the Cardinals, has a 90-93 fastball with good sink. His change up is developing and he has good control. However, he has had issues maintaining his velocity.

And CSN:

Though he spent the early part of his collegiate career in the bullpen, he’d like to keep starting if he could.”I’ve done both but I enjoy starting more,” he said. “They [th Sox] are in control now, so whatever they want me to do I will.”

Royse’s self-evaluation is as follows – an upper 80s, low-90s fastball that moves on both sides of the plate and has life on both sides of the plate.

“It has a little cut and run,” he said before adding that he has a “usable” slider that’s still developing and a solid changeup with which he is getting more comfortable.

College stats for Jacob Petricka, Addison Reed, Thomas Royce

2nd round pick RHP Jacob Petricka:

Year	era	w-l	app-gs	cg	sho	sv	ip	h	r	er	bb	so	2b	3b	hr	ab	b/avg	wp	hbp	bk	sfa	sha
2010	4.11	7-4	20-15	0	0/1	0	100.2	100	51	46	47	113	14	2	3		.265	14	3	1	2	4
2009	4.76	7-3	13-13	0	0/1	0	73.2	87	48	39	34	49	17	0	4	291	.299	9	5	0	3	4

Year	GP	IP	R	ER	Hits	SO	BB	ERA	W	L
2008	11	33.2	23	21	36	24	18	5.61	5	1

3rd round pick RHP Addison Reed:

Year	era	w-l	app-gs	cg	sho	sv	ip	h	r	er	bb	so	2b	3b	hr	ab	b/avg	wp	hbp	bk	sfa	sha
2009-10	2.50	8-2	11-11	2	1/1	0	79.1	65	30	22	16	90	13	2	7	296	.220	4	2	0	0	2
2008-09	0.65	0-0	25-0	0	0/1	20	27.2	20	3	2	7	38	1	0	0	100	.200	2	5	1	1	2
2007-08	2.73	3-1	24-0	0	0/1	4	26.1	24	16	8	8	26	2	1	3	100	.240	1	2	0	1	1

supplemental 3rd round pick Thomas Royce

Year	era	w-l	app-gs	cg	sho	sv	ip	h	r	er	bb	so	2b	3b	hr	ab	b/avg	wp	hbp	bk	sfa	sha
2009-10	2.85	9-1	16-16	0	0/3	0	104.1	100	37	33	26	99	17	3	10	389	.257	2	6	0	1	9
2008-09	3.48	3-2	12-6	1	1/0	2	41.1	35	21	16	10	48	6	2	2	153	.229	3	0	1	1	0
2007-08	4.80	4-0	26-1	0	0/0	1	50.2	59	34	27	11	51	11	0	8	207	.285	2	3	2	1	1

And RHP Jacob Petricka’s 2010 college splits:

	W	L	W-L%	ERA	FIP	APP	GS	IP	R	ER	H	HR	BB	K	AVG	BABIP	WHIP	HR/9	BB/9	K/9
Raw Totals	7	4	0.636	4.11	3.03	20	15	100.7	51	46	100	3	47	113	0.265	0.372	1.46	0.27	4.20	10.10
Park Adj.	7	4	0.636	3.93	3.03	20	15	100.7	49	44	97	3	47	113	0.257	0.360	1.43	0.27	4.20	10.10
Schedule Adj.	7	4	0.636	4.29	3.13	20	15	100.7	54	48	105	3	49	108	0.279	0.383	1.53	0.27	4.38	9.66
Park/Sch Adj.	7	4	0.636	4.11	3.13	20	15	100.7	52	46	101	3	49	108	0.268	0.368	1.49	0.27	4.38	9.66

And some info from FutureSox:

Petricka:

On the MLB.com broadcast, Johnathan Mayo raved about Petricka’s upper 90s fastball, but mentioned that he might need to be converted to the bullpen.

… Baseball America’s subscription only scouting report of Petricka mentions him as a high helium type pick this year (the strikeouts support this as well). They say his fastball velocity has been inconsistent, sometimes sitting around 90, others sitting 92-94 and touching 98. His curve is a solid pitch, but needs work.

Reed:

Addison Reed throws 90-92 mph as a starter touching 94 mph at times. He combines the fastball with a plus slider that has been nasty for him and his changeup is a solid average pitch.

Reed could develop as a solid innings eater at the Major League level, though his upside is probably not much more than a #4 starter.

Royse:

Royse, the Friday starter for the Cardinals, has a 90-93 fastball with good sink. His change up is developing and he has good control. However, he has had issues maintaining his velocity.