Chicago White Sox Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 1 – 5

T-Flow gets a B and is on top of Alex Eisenberg’s Top-15:

Tyler Flowers has improved in each of the past three years at three different levels. From Single-A Rome to Double-A Birmingham, Flowers’ OPS has gone from .866 to .922 to 1.000. Only after a promotion to Triple-A did Flowers see his numbers drop off.

The increase has coincided with improved power numbers and an improved BB% though he’s also seen his K% rise as well.

*Credit to jpafan44

Flowers is a big man with a ton of raw strength which is a big factor in his plus raw power. He complements his power with wonderful patience at the plate, which is helped by excellent pitch recognition. However, there are holes in Flowers’ swing and he struggles to catch up to good fastballs up in the zone and in on the hands. Flowers’ bat speed is more solid than great.

While Flowers is not going to hit for a high average, he’s going to get on base often and he’s going to hit for power. He will also be doing this at catcher, a premium defensive position where good bats are tough to find.

Flowers is actually a decent athlete though his size can make it difficult for him behind the plate. He communicates with his pitchers well and has improved the quickness of his release. His arm rates as average behind the plate as he threw out 29% of all base runners last year.

Jared Mitchell is #2 (scouting report available), Dan Hudson #3, Jordan Danks #4, and Brent Morel #5.  Read more at the #1-5 prospects. #6-15 coming soon.

Chicago White Sox Farm System Overview – 2010.