MLB Pipeline released its 2019 Top 100 Prospects list Saturday Night in which several Chicago White Sox prospects were named to the list.
In total six minor leaguers belonging to the White Sox made the prized list including three pitchers and three position players. The recognition is key as the team prepares for its third season of a rebuild.
Here is a list of all six and their ranking:
- 3. Eloy Jimenez OF
- 18. Michael Kopech RHP
- 21. Dylan Cease RHP
- 40. Luis Robert OF
- 47. Nick Madrigal 2B
- 80. Dane Dunning RHP
Outfielder Eloy Jimenez is Chicago’s best minor league talent and came in third on the list behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. Jimenez had a dominant season in 2018 in both Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. Between the two levels, he hit 22 home runs and drove in 75 RBI’s in just 108 games.
Many are predicting him to be a possible Rookie of the Year candidate as the White Sox will most likely promote him to the majors two weeks after the start of the season.
Pitchers Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease, and Dane Dunning were named to this list as they are projected to be apart of the team’s starting rotation within the next two seasons. Kopech debuted in 2018 and made four starts before being sidelined with a torn ligament in his arm which required Tommy John surgery. He will miss the entire 2019 season but is expected to be fully ready for the 2020 season. Cease was named MLB Pipeline’s 2018 Minor League pitcher of the year and could be called up to the majors in the second half of this season. Dunning also has a bright future but could either be a September call up or could be called up next season.
The other two position player on the list are the only two players the White Sox did not acquire via trade. Infielder Nick Madrigal was drafted by the team with the third overall pick in last year’s amateur draft. Cuban outfielder Luis Robert was signed to a record-breaking contract for international players in 2017.
Madrigal is the team’s best pure hitting prospect as he only struck out five times in 155 at-bats in both low and high Single-A last season. Big things were expected from Robert in 2018 as he flashed in spring training, but he was sidelined the majority of the season due to several injuries. He did flash in the Arizona Fall league to help build momentum for the 2019 season.
With six prospects making the Top 100 list, the White Sox have the third best minor league system in all of baseball behind the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. General manager Rick Hahn’s goal at the start of the rebuild was to achieve success by accruing young minor league. Through three seasons he has done that as many White Sox players have been named recently. 2019 will be another exciting year for the White Sox in part to another group of young players that will be promoted to the Majors.
Here’s a link to the full MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list including other specialized rankings.
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