Home Author
Author

Tim Moran

A lifelong White Sox fan growing up in Palatine, Illinois, I've been a writer about the South Siders and other sports teams for over three years now. Currently, I am a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame studying computer science. There, my first-year Resident Assistant was coincidentally our own Jordan Lazowski. Like many others, my favorite player growing up was Paul Konerko, but now that honor belongs to the King of Swag, Tim Anderson.

NewsRecaps

Spring Training Report: Young Bats Shine in 6-5 Loss to A’s

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

Luis Robert, Andrew Vaughn, and Nicky Delmonico all continued their hot spring campaigns today at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ. Reynaldo Lopez, meanwhile, surrendered six baserunners but limited the damage to one run in three innings in his first spring start.

Position Players

  • Luis Robert (CF): 1-2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
    • Luis Gonzalez: 0-2, K
  • Nick Madrigal (2B): 1-3, 1 RBI
    • Laz Rivera: 0-1
  • Nicky Delmonico (LF): 2-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI
    • Jaycob Brugman: 1-1
  • Edwin Encarnacion (DH): 0-2,
    • Daniel Palka: 0-2, K
  • Gavin Sheets (1B): 1 BB
    • Andrew Vaughn: 1-1, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI,
  • Cheslor Cuthbert (3B): 0-3, K
    • Zach Remillard: 1-1, 1 RBI
  • Zack Collins (C): 1-1, 1 BB
    • Yermin Mercedes: 0-2, 2 K
  • Danny Mendick (SS): 0-3
    • Ramon Torres: 0-1
  • Adam Engel (RF): 2-2, 1 R, 1 BB
    • Blake Rutherford: 0-1

Pitchers

  • Reynaldo Lopez (SP): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
  • Adalberto Mejia (L, 0-1): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
  • Carson Fulmer: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 K
  • Evan Marshall: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K
  • Tyler Johnson: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
  • Brady Lail: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 K
  • Tayron Guerrero: 1.0 IP, 1 BB

Next Game

Wednesday: Brewers vs. White Sox, 2:05 PM CST (Radio and Broadcast Streams Available)

Starting Pitchers: Brandon Woodruff, RHP (Brewers) vs. Dylan Cease, RHP (White Sox)

Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!

Featured Photo: Los White Sox/Twitter

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
ArticlesNews

White Sox bolster bullpen, agree to one-year deal with Steve Cishek

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

According to Jeff Passan and multiple confirming reports, the White Sox and Steve Cishek are in agreement on a one-year, $6 million deal with a club option for 2021. Reportedly, the deal is worth $5.25M in 2020, with a $750K buyout attached to the $6 million 2021 option. Cishek, who pitched with the crosstown rival Cubs for the past two years, is 33 years old with a career 2.69 ERA.

In December, the Sox added key pieces in Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Keuchel, and Edwin Encarnacion. Following those signings, many speculated that a reliever could be next for Chicago. Given the bullpen’s need for a sturdy arm, Cishek and Will Harris were two names thrown around heavily. Harris signed with the Washington Nationals on Friday, leaving Cishek as the premier reliever left on the market. Rick Hahn and Co., continuing to be aggressive this offseason, stepped up to the plate and cemented their bullpen by adding Cishek today.

Over the course of his career, Cishek has proved to be a consistent quality arm. He began his tenure in the big leagues in 2010, and has only recorded one season with an ERA above 3.00. 2017 and 2018 were arguably Cishek’s best two years, with 2.01 and 2.18 ERA’s, respectively. He did regress to some extent in 2019, with a 2.95 ERA and abnormally high 4.54 FIP.

However, it’s unlikely that Cishek’s step back in 2019 is a legitimate warning sign. While the sub-2.50 ERA Cishek might be gone, his peripherals are still impressive. In 2019, Cishek’s batted ball profile was actually better than his 2018 profile, with 99th percentile readings in exit velocity and hard-hit percentage. His xwOBA, xBA, and xSLG did drop, but were still much better overall than the average MLB pitcher.

All signs indicate that Cishek will still be an above-average reliever in 2020. Elite? Maybe, maybe not. With a respectable group surrounding him spearheaded by Aaron Bummer and Alex Colome, Cishek figures to solidify Chicago’s bullpen going into 2020. Midseason adjustments may be necessary if Kelvin Herrera or Jace Fry struggle as they have in the past, but every team suffers from one or two subpar relievers.

As things stand, Chicago has addressed every one of its positional needs in some form this offseason. Catcher, right field, starting pitcher, designated hitter, and now relief pitcher have all been upgraded. Time will tell how significant these upgrades truly are, but White Sox fans can rest assured that their front office has done a thorough job in compiling a formidable 2020 roster.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
ArticlesOpinion

Haters will Hate: Debunking Criticism of Keuchel, Encarnacion Signings

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

For the longest time, the loudest critics of the Chicago White Sox were their own fans. And rightly so. Since 2008, the South Siders haven’t made the postseason and really only came close once. Front office actions were characterized by idleness, cheap moves, and downright stupid decisions.

Since the rebuild has commenced, fans have been generally more positive, but still vocally upset at certain times. The frustration came to a fervent peak this February, when Rick Hahn and Co. struck out on acquiring star third baseman Manny Machado, who signed with San Diego for more guaranteed money. After a couple years of assuring fans “the money will be spent,” missing out on Manny due to an underwhelming offer brought appropriate outrage.

Yet Hahn has maintained the same aggressive mantra over the course of 2019, and to the surprise of many fans has delivered in free agency. In mid-November he struck swiftly by signing premier catcher Yasmani Grandal. Quieting annoyed fans upset about a dull Winter Meetings, the Sox have since inked Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Keuchel, and Edwin Encarnacion all in the span of one week.

Currently, the White Sox fanbase appears to be content. I know I am. To maintain balance in the universe, I suppose, outside critics have surfaced. Let’s dive into some of the censure.

Defending Keuchel

Many people on Twitter opined that Dallas Keuchel is washed up. Yes, this isn’t the 2015 Cy Young Winner Dallas Keuchel. But what these critics fail to realize is that there’s a huge difference between washed up and veteran.

Keuchel had a down year in 2019, recording a 3.75 ERA to go along with a 4.06 xFIP and 1.37 WHIP. Notably, those aren’t bad numbers. His ERA was still 15% above league average, and the similar xFIP indicates his ERA was an accurate indicator of his performance. While the 1.37 WHIP is fairly high, keep in mind that Keuchel is a ground ball artist (60.1% GB rate) and his walk rate was significantly higher than his career average. I believe the walks should decrease in 2020 and Keuchel should be able to thrive at a ~1.25 WHIP encompassing many ground ball singles.

Importantly, Keuchel didn’t join the Braves until early June this season. His training regimen and overall routine were very different than years past, and he will likely benefit from having a regular pre-season in 2020. For example, June was his worst month in 2019, as he got knocked around for a 1.131 OPS against in his first two starts of the season in June. After that point, he never posted a month with a higher OPS against than .766.

There’s additional reason to believe Keuchel is a safe bet to pitch well in 2020. Considering that 2019 was a down year and Keuchel will be just 32 next season, he’s likely to regress (progress in this case) towards the mean in 2020. After being worth 0.8 fWAR (0.042 fWAR/start) in 2019, Steamer projects him to be worth 2.4 fWAR (0.075 fWAR/start) in 2020.

Lastly, Keuchel demonstrated the ability limit runs in 2019, with superior statistics in high-leverage situations compared to low and medium-leverage. It resulted in a 3.75 ERA that was nearly identical to his 3.74 ERA mark from 2018 despite worse peripherals. At the end of the day preventing runs is what matters most, and Keuchel proved he could do that.

Complementing the “washed” claims, many said that Chicago overpaid for Keuchel. However, there are many reasons why Keuchel will be well worth the 3 year, $55.5 million deal he signed.

Primarily, the White Sox had a huge void to fill in their rotation. Without adding another pitcher, Chicago would have been forced to start Dylan Covey or Ross Detwiler until Michael Kopech or Carlos Rodon looked healthy. In addition, even when one of those two comes back, Reynaldo Lopez and his sky-high ERA would still be in the rotation. Chicago finally has pitching depth with Keuchel.

Hahn and Co. also prevented any possibility of Keuchel going to the Twins and improving their rotation by acquiring him themselves. Speaking of Minnesota, consider that Keuchel excels against left-handed hitters (2.58 xFIP) and the Twins’ lineup boasts five lefties. Since Minnesota is Chicago’s prime division competitor in 2020, Keuchel’s likely success against them will mean a lot.

Furthermore, Keuchel had to deal with fearsome lineups in the NL East last season, and pitched much better outside of his division. His numbers will probably improve when facing the Tigers and Royals upwards of five times a season.

At the end of the day, the White Sox are replacing proven failures in their rotation with a proven winner in Dallas Keuchel. 

Defending Encarnacion

Although criticism of the Encarnacion signing isn’t as prevalent as Keuchel condemnation, we still have some experts expressing it on Twitter.

Edwin Encarnacion has indeed battled through multiple minor injuries the past couple years. But he’s still averaged 123 games played over the previous two seasons, and especially made the most of his 2019 appearances.

In 109 games, Encarnacion posted a 129 wRC+ and 2.5 fWAR between the Indians and Yankees. That wRC+ would have ranked third on the White Sox last year, behind only Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson. Of course, it’s unreasonable to expect Encarnacion to record another equally impressive campaign offensively. But considering he did all that at age 36, actually improving from 2018, a 3-fWAR season is within reach if he stays healthy.

Our final piece of negativity towards the signings comes from esteemed Cubs writer and Twitter presence Bleacher Nation. I say that without sarcasm, as Brett Taylor, the man behind the account, tends to have well-informed opinions. But he believes the White Sox have a surplus of power and lack of defense.

Brett isn’t entirely wrong on this point. Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez are defensive liabilities, though not to the point where it’s a major problem. They might be better suited as DHs, but that’s only in an ideal world where Chicago has better options at first base and left field. The fact of the matter is that the White Sox don’t have superior options, and forcing one of your best overall players into a role they oppose is a bad idea.

Given that Abreu and Jimenez will play in the field, then signing someone like Encarnacion makes perfect sense. Had the White Sox failed to bring on a DH, they would have been stuck with the same assortment of no-names who put up a league-worst 80 OPS+ last season. Adding The Parrot represents a huge upgrade in offensive production.

Besides, there’s reason to believe Eloy’s defense will improve, especially next to defensive stud Luis Robert in center field. In addition, while the defensive metrics don’t favor Abreu, he makes the plays he needs to and limits errors.

All in all, the South Sider’s free agent splashes have silenced some critics and created others. The bottom line is that for 14 years, they’ve done little to prove them wrong. 2020 is the year to turn that around.

Follow us on social media @SoxOn35th!

Featured Photo: Cleveland Indians/Twitter

7 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
ArticlesBlog

Why Eloy Jimenez is Going to Dominate in 2020

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

After a dynamic 2019 campaign for the White Sox and their star players, it might be hard to remember what 2018 was like. That year, Lucas Giolito and Yoan Moncada were still struggling and there weren’t too many bright spots on the major league roster. So for the majority of the 2018 season, us Sox fans focused on the electric performances from Michael Kopech, Eloy Jimenez, and Dylan Cease in the minors. Since then, a lot has changed, especially the hype surrounding that trio of prospects.

No one has given up on any of the three, and I’m not trying to contend that. However, with the emergence of Moncada, Giolito, and Tim Anderson, there just hasn’t been as much attention to be centered on them. The fates of Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech are still in the air, although I detailed in September why I believe Cease will put up quality stats in 2020. In contrast, Eloy Jimenez deserves all of the hype. All of it. The same level of excitement and anticipation for him in 2018 should return now for his 2020 campaign. Why?

A dive into Jimenez’s 2019 numbers reveals that he had a much better season than most would believe, one that was heavily affected by injury and contained two stretches of ridiculously good hitting. Specifically, his incredible month of September doesn’t appear to be a fluke—which is bad news for major league teams not named the Chicago White Sox.

In that spectacular month, Eloy batted .340/.383/.710, which is good for an OPS of 1.093. Those numbers are well above his season averages, so it’s fair to ask if they aren’t repeatable. Let’s first take into consideration his BABIP, which was .385. That number is well above average, but it also makes sense when you factor in Jimenez’s contact profile. Eloy absolutely tore the cover off the ball in September. According to Fangraphs, his Soft-hit % was 8.1%, Medium 47.3%, and Hard 44.6%. Here’s what Fangraphs considers “excellent”, the top category out of seven: Soft 15%, Medium 45%, Hard 40%. There is no category to define how well Eloy was making contact in September, which is why his BABIP was hardly a fluke or a sign of luck.

If you need more evidence, look to Eloy’s month of June, in which he slashed a comparable .284/.340/.602, with slightly worse (but still amazing) contact numbers. That month his BABIP was a reasonable .321. September wasn’t just a one-time thing, but another indication that he’s capable of mashing the ball like he did in the farm system.

What do June and September have in common? They are both a month removed from significant injuries: a three-week stint beginning in late April and a two-week ordeal in late July. As many south siders noticed, Eloy struggled in the immediate weeks after his injuries. Once those struggles subsided, Eloy balled out, and there’s no reason to believe he can’t do that in 2020 with good health.

Despite all this, Eloy isn’t perfect. But there are signs of hope for him to improve on his weaknesses. Everybody knows Eloy has a refined approach at the plate, as he hits the ball to right field and center field exceptionally well. In fact, his results on balls pulled were far worse than those hit to center or right. Considering only fair balls, his OPS on pulled balls was .838 compared to 1.398 to center and 1.115 to right. Unusual as it may be, Eloy couldn’t generate much hard contact pulling the ball. That is, until September he couldn’t. He turned things around massively, posting a 1.226 OPS on pulled balls in the final month, including some scorching dingers. The sample size of 31 PAs is small, but the difference is so great it’s evident that something clicked.

Lastly, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. Baseball requires left fielders to actually play defense in left field. Shocking, I know. Unfortunately, playing defense isn’t exactly Eloy’s strong suit. However, if he puts in the work, Eloy can become an average fielder, which is all he’ll need to ascend to the ranks of the elite. MLB’s Statcast ranks his sprint speed in the 70th percentile, which sounds absurd. Yet this 2013 prospect report noted Eloy’s “plus-speed” while most evaluations placed his fielding at an acceptable 45 mark (20-80, 50 is average).

The tools are there. With enough work, Eloy certainly has what it takes to become a competent fielder. I hope the organization and Jimenez himself take it upon themselves to actualize this possibility.

With luck, all the right circumstances are lining up for ‘Lamantha’ in 2020. He’ll be taking the field without any rookie jitters, coming off a fantastic end to 2019. He’ll be hitting in a lineup that will likely feature better protection. He may even just show up an improved fielder. Eloy Jimenez will be ready in 2020, and the league won’t be ready for him.

Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more White Sox-related content!

Featured Photo: White Sox/Twitter

2 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
AnalysisArticles

Dylan Cease is Good and Getting Better

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

Credit where credit is due: White Sox fans have been patient with Dylan Cease through his struggles this season, unlike the treatment of Yoan Moncada and other prospects. Still, a small number of fans have openly voiced their doubt, and I’m sure many others were thinking it in the back of their heads.

However, a deeper dive into Cease’s 2019 statistics prove that he is due for positive regression, some of which came last night in Chicago’s dominant 10-1 win over Detroit. Cease finished with an impressive result of 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, and 8 K. Following a good outing vs. Cleveland, he’s given up just one run in each of his last three starts, though going just 3.1 and 5.0 innings in the first two games, respectively. Those numbers aren’t fantastic, but certainly demonstrate progress. As of today, Cease’s standard stats read: 5.79 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 9.99 K/9, and 4.32 BB/9.

Behind walks, hits, and ERA lies a deeper story about Dylan Cease. The biggest anomaly in his game has been the absurd number of home runs on fly balls, as his HR/FB rate is 21.4%. Considering the league average is around 10%, it’s evident that Cease is getting very unlucky on this type of contact. Fangraph’s xFIP exists to adjust for this, and Cease’s number of 4.60 is still poor, but much better than you might think with a 5.79 ERA.

Now that we’re at xFIP, we’re fully into the World of Sabermetrics. However, let’s take it one step further and go into xFIP-, which is basically Sabermetropolis. xFIP- takes a pitcher’s xFIP and adjusts it for stadium and league considerations, essentially judging a pitcher’s value on if they all performed in an average ballpark in the same year. Cease’s xFIP- is 97, which means he is three percentiles above the league average.

I’m not crazy. One statistic saying Cease has been an above-average pitcher doesn’t erase the ten saying he hasn’t. However, the xFIP- and HR/FB rate are convincing enough to prove that Cease is much, much better than a near-six ERA. If you need further proof, look at Baseball Savant’s analysis of different peripherals on Cease.

We already knew Cease has a deadly fastball and solid curveball, so that’s not much of a surprise. But a look at the performance metrics shows he’s within 9% of league average in all his worst stats. If you showed me that graphic at the beginning of the year and told me this would be Cease’s final numbers on the year, I would have been satisfied. You simply can’t expect the world out of a rookie pitcher, no matter his prospect ranking.

From Scott Merkin of MLB.com’s recap, Cease also feels he has made significant strides.

“‘I feel not even close to the same pitcher I was when I first got called up,’ said Cease, who is expected to make his 15th and final start of the 2019 season at home during the season’s final week. ‘There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I feel good with where my stuff is.'”

Looking ahead to 2020, I firmly believe the Sox are in good shape with Cease. The South Siders will, barring injury, have Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, Carlos Rodon, and likely one new acquisition to anchor their rotation. Let’s say one of those guys underperforms, which means Cease would be a fourth starter. I would project Cease to have a floor of a 4.80 ERA, and a ceiling close to 3.20 given his pure talent. In today’s MLB, that’s absolutely acceptable for a fourth starter on a competitive team.

The dark clouds have parted and the worst days are behind Dylan Cease. In 2020, he will make good on the promise of a bright future.

Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more content!

Featured Photo: Brandon Anderson/Sox On 35th

1 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
ArticlesOpinion

Are the White Sox getting the most out of Yoan Moncada?

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

As the 2019 season progresses, it’s becoming abundantly clear that Yoan Moncada is the best player on the White Sox (for now). His numbers are already fantastic, and he’s only getting better. Right now, he’s sporting a .301/.358/.532 line. Factor in some solid defense and his 20-some games missed to injury and he’s ranked 13th in fWAR/game out of all position players.

No other position player on the team comes close to Moncada’s overall offensive value. Tim Anderson is having a wonderful year, but Moncada is a step up.

That said, it’s time Rick Renteria starts treating Moncada like the elite player he is. Recently, Ricky has been batting Yoan in the cleanup spot. It seemed to work well at first, as Moncada blasted a three-run dinger on July 22nd in his first game batting fourth. He then got injured and upon returning the results have been nothing special, with Moncada recording 9 RBIs over 27 total bases. My point? Yoan Moncada is so valuable that his number of plate appearances should be maximized and he should bat first or second.

Take a look around the league, and you’ll see that teams are catching on when it comes to batting their best player in the top third of the order. Mike Trout bats second. Christian Yelich, Nolan Arenado, Bryce Harper, and Paul Goldschmidt bat third. The list goes on and on, with the exception of a few lucky teams (Dodgers, Astros, Yankees) who are so talented that a guy with a .900+ OPS bats fifth and it really doesn’t matter. As we all know, the Sox are not one of those teams.

It might seem sensible on the surface to put your crown jewel in a run-producing spot, but it usually doesn’t work out. Instead of hoping for runners to be on for a guy like Moncada, statistics prove it’s better to prioritize their plate appearances. More opportunities = more runs. With Jose Abreu seemingly entrenched in the #3 spot, Moncada can shine as a #1 or #2 hitter.

He did just that in the three-game set against the Angels, where he batted first once and second twice with Renteria not managing. Moncada finished the series 7-10 with 3 runs and 1 RBI, which albeit a tiny sample size is miles better than his decent showings as a cleanup hitter.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is all the rage these days. Last week, he became the second player under the age of 22 to record 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in a season. He’s probably going to achieve the absurd 40/40 mark, too. If only the White Sox had a guy like th—oh wait, they have two!

If Tim Anderson wasn’t sidelined for over a month, then he would be looking at a potential 25/25 season, which would be a commendable accomplishment. I have no issues there.

However, Moncada wouldn’t be close even without his injuries, as he sits at just 9 stolen bases on 12 attempts currently. Can somebody explain to me why a guy with blazing, 70-grade speed is sitting at just 9 steals over 80 singles? I don’t know if Moncada or the team is hesitant, because Anderson appears to have a green light. But someone along the line needs to be way more aggressive. There’s little downside, as a 75% success rate means attempting steals is perfectly worth the risk.

If you put my two ideas together, you’re going to have a lot more first innings with a runner in scoring position (Moncada) and less than two outs for Jose Abreu. That sounds much better than Moncada leading off the second or coming to bat with two outs in the first inning, which are the most common outcomes currently.

As he went through the system, Yoan was billed as the pinnacle five-tool player. He’s shown the ability to be that guy, and now it’s time for the White Sox to ensure they properly utilize his tools.

Featured Photo: Chris Tejeda/@FotoGenocide_

3 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
Minor LeaguesRecaps

White Sox Farm Report – August 8, 2019

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

DSL White Sox

  • Jhoneiker Betancourt (DH): 1-5, 2B (7), run
  • Lazaro Leal (LF): 1-3, HR (2), BB
  • Edwin Peralta (3B): 2-3, 2B (8), BB, 2 runs
  • Homer Cruz (SP): 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Frander Veras: 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K
    • 19 pitches – 15 strikes, 4 balls

Final Score: DSL Orioles 6, DSL White Sox 5 | Box Score

AZL White Sox

  • Jose Rodriguez (SS): 2-4, RBI
  • Micker Adolfo (DH): 3-4, HR (1), 2B (1)
  • Logan Glass (RF): 2-4, RBI
  • Misael Gonzalez (CF): 1-3, 2B (5), run
  • Luis Rodriguez (SP): 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K
    • 30 pitches – 18 strikes, 12 balls
  • Trey Jeans (W, 2-0): 2 IP, H, 0 BB, 4 K
    • 16 pitches – 16 strikes
  • Caleb Freeman (S, 2): 2 IP, H, 0 BB, 3 K
    • 13 pitches – 13 strikes

Final Score: AZL White Sox 3, AZL Dodgers 2 | Box Score

Rookie Great Falls Voyagers

  • Sam Abbott (1B): 1-3, HR (7), 2 runs
  • Kevin Maldonado (2B): 1-3, 3B (1), 2 RBI
  • Sean Thompson (SP) (L, 1-6): 2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, K
    • 50 pitches – 38 strikes, 12 balls
  • All other Voyagers’ pitchers: 7 IP, 0 Rs, 6 H, 3 BB, 7 K

Final Score: Grand Junction Rockies 8, Great Falls Voyagers 3 | Box Score

Low-A Kannapolis Intimidators

  • Ian Dawkins (CF): 3-3, 2B (34), BB
  • Lenyn Sosa (SS): 2-4, run
  • Sam Long (SP) (W, 6-4): 5.1 IP, 0 ER/1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K
    • 90 pitches – 56 strikes, 44 balls
  • Devon Perez: 2.2, 0 ER, 2 H, BB, 5 K
    • 50 pitches – 32 strikes, 18 balls

Final Score: Kannapolis Intimidators 2, Delmarva Shorebirds 1 | Box Score

High-A Winston-Salem Dash

  • Andrew Vaughn (DH): 2-5, 2 2B (3), RBI, 2 runs
  • Tate Blackman (2B): 2-4, HR (3), 4 RBI
  • Johan Cruz (SS): 2-4, BB, 2 runs
  • Steele Walker (CF): 0-5, K
  • Kade McClure (SP): 4 IP, 7 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 4 K
    • 90 pitches – 50 strikes, 40 balls
  • Andrew Perez (W, 1-2): 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 3 K
    • 30 pitches – 16 strikes, 14 balls
  • Jacob Lindgren: 2 IP, 0 ER, H, 0 BB, 4 K
    • 34 pitches – 21 strikes, 13 balls

Final Score: Winston-Salem Dash 8, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7 | Box Score

Double-A Birmingham Barons

  • Luis Gonzalez (RF): 2-5, run
  • Blake Rutherford (LF): 2-4, run
  • Damek Tomscha (1B): 2-4, 2 RBI
  • Zach Remillard (SS): 2-4, HR (2), RBI, run
  • Joel Booker (CF): 3-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, run
  • Bernardo Flores (SP) (W, 3-5): 5 IP, ER, 3 BB, 3 H, 4 K
    • 76 pitches – 47 strikes, 29 balls
  • Tyler Johnson: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K
    • 26 pitches – 19 strikes, 7 balls

Final Score: Birmingham Barons 5, Montgomery Biscuits 1 | Box Score

Triple-A Charlotte Knights

  • Nick Madrigal (2B): 1-5, 2 RBI
  • Luis Robert (CF): 1-5, HR (8), 2 RBI
  • Zack Collins (C): 0-3, BB
  • Danny Mendick (3B): 0-2, 2 BB
  • Ramon Torres (SS): 4-4, HR (2), 2B (2), 3 RBI
  • Justin Nicolino (SP): 6 IP, 4 ER, 2 H, 5 BB, 6 K
    • 100 pitches – 59 strikes, 41 balls
  • Kelvin Herrera: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
    • 13 pitches – 9 strikes, 4 balls
  • Connor Walsh (W, 2-1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
    • 27 pitches – 17 strikes, 10 balls

Final Score: Charlotte Knights 7, Scranton Railriders 4 | Box Score

Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!

Featured Photo: @HypeTheEngineer/Twitter

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
AnalysisMinor Leagues

Poor roster decisions leave Collins, Mendick in dust

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

So help me God if I have to watch José Rondón play baseball for the rest of the 2019 campaign.

Rondón isn’t the worst hitter around and he’s a jack-of-all-trades type fielder, but simply put the White Sox have better options. Unfortunately, that’s not the only case of mismanagement of the Chicago roster we’ve seen this season. It’s time to dive into where the Sox went wrong and what the proper solutions are.

Zack Collins, Chicago’s 11th-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, came into the league with a boom. Well, he actually walked in his first plate appearance. But his first hit was a towering home run against Texas back in June, and Collins had Sox fans dreaming of more dingers for years to come. After that moment, though, Collins struggled mightily in the big leagues. He was demoted at the All-Star Break and finished his stint with 14 strikeouts and a .418 OPS over 26 at-bats.

Wait a second, 26 at-bats? Rick Hahn and Co. called up their former first-round pick and sent him packing after just 26 at-bats?

Yes, Welington Castillo came back from injury to take Collins’ spot on the roster, and the White Sox are paying Beef a lot of money. Yes, Castillo has slightly better numbers than Collins this season, but that’s not saying much. However, Castillo’s production and cost should not matter to Chicago. The Sox have made clear through Hahn’s media comments and their lack of free agent urgency that they were never prioritizing contention in 2019. In fact, the one thing that’s been stressed is development. So in what world does it make sense to give an aging, deteriorating Castillo appearances over one of your top prospects?

Let’s dismiss the fact that 26 at-bats is way too small a sample size to judge a player’s big league value. The idea that a return to Triple-A Charlotte can benefit Collins at this point is laughable. The pitching there just isn’t very challenging. Moreover, Collins’ approach is set in stone: hit bombs, walk, and strikeout (hopefully in that order). At this point, what he needs is extended time in the majors to settle in and get accommodated to major league pitching. Now is the perfect time to do that, with the Sox out basically out of contention and the team still emphasizing development. Let Zack work out the kinks over the next few months so that he can come into 2020 ready to mash and help a team that then will want to contend.

Castillo will likely be gone via a declined team option next season anyway, so just trade or DFA him now. He’s 32 and rocking a .625 OPS, for Pete’s sake. Give the plate appearances to someone who may actually be on your next playoff team.

The other player on the Knights being neglected is Danny Mendick. While not a premier prospect, Mendick is having a good year in the minors with a .798 OPS and an impressive fielding resume — just 2 errors in 748 innings pretty evenly spread among second base, third base, and shortstop.

I don’t predict that Mendick will be a long-term contributor at the big league level. But as we’ve seen with AJ Reed and Ryan Goins, it’s worthwhile to test guys out and see if they have some potential. Reed is an example of a guy who doesn’t seem to be panning out, while Goins just might have the potential to surprise.

Regardless, what’s the point of having Rondón on the roster? He’s already failed his “test run,” with a .537 OPS over 151 PAs with the White Sox this year. Mendick is just as versatile of a fielder and almost certainly will be more productive at the plate. Admittedly, Rondón seems to be an active, fun member of the clubhouse. But that doesn’t translate to much of anything on the field for the South Siders, while Mendick might just make some noise.

Collins and Mendick likely aren’t the types of guys that will make a difference between a championship winner or loser. But they are signs that the front office should do more critical thinking when making roster decisions now and in the presumably bright future.

Image: Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights

8 comments
3 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
AnalysisArticles

Grading the White Sox Halfway Through the 2019 Season

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

Following Sunday’s game vs. the Twins, the White Sox hold a record of 39-42 through the first 81 games of the 2019 campaign. There have been minor ups and downs, but overall the Sox have stayed pretty consistent all the way through, as their longest winning and losing streak are both just five games. However, with Michael Kopech and Carlos Rodon out for the season and several top prospects still developing in the minors, 2019 has always been more about the key players than the record. Let’s dive into their performances thus far.

Yoan Moncada

Formerly the #1 overall prospect in the MLB, Moncada came into this year with many still questioning his worth. So far, he’s done well to silence those doubters. To date, the third baseman is sporting a fantastic .304/.357/.528 line, good for an OPS of .885. It’s certainly worth noting that Moncada is trending upward, ending June with a magnificent 191 (!!) wRC+ while slugging .667. It was actually a better month at the plate than Anderson’s monster April. Add in solid defensive play, and Moncada sits at 2.5 bWAR and 2.8 fWAR just halfway through the year. For Moncada, the sky really is the limit.

Grade: A

Tim Anderson 

Let’s be honest—none of us had Tim Anderson as a future AL Player of the Month before the season started. At the end of the first April, though, TA7 rocked a 1.009 OPS and a sparkling .375 batting average to win that honor. Anderson has slowed down, that’s for sure. But June has been better than May for Timmy, and so it looks like he’s settling in. Considering his lack of walks, Anderson is going to be a solid baseball player if he can do these things: hit for a high batting average and slugging percentage, utilize great speed, and field competently. So far, he’s doing most of those well, with a .317 average, .491 SLG, and 15 SB. He needs to commit less errors, but there’s nothing much to worry about with advanced metrics. T.A. has also drawn fans nationwide for his confidence and emotion shown on the field (also known as sick bat flips). Overall, Sox fans should commend their shortstop on an inspiring start to the 2019 season.

Grade: A-

Eloy Jimenez 

Eloy’s game-winning homer against the Cubs at Wrigley is certainly the moment of the season for the South Siders. Hell, in an era filled with disappointment and no playoff appearances, it might be the moment of the decade. Regardless, Jimenez has impressed way beyond just one dinger. Yes, his numbers on the year are merely satisfactory, but that’s misleading. Jimenez has really turned on the jets in June, hitting (obliterating?) 8 home runs while slashing .284/.340/.602. The eye test also shows how his fielding has improved after a rocky start. All in all, it’s yet another key player on this roster who’s trending hard in the right way. Combine all that with an infectious personality, and we have a definite fan favorite on the South Side for years to come.

Grade: B+

Lucas Giolito 

At the culmination of the 2018 campaign, Giolito was the owner of Baseball’s worst qualified ERA. Flash forward to June 1, 2019, and Gio is the reigning AL Pitcher of the Month. One month later: All-Star. What a turnaround. I’m just going to let the numbers speak for themselves: 2.72 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, 3.48 K/BB, and a minuscule 0.84 HR/9 IP. Somehow he’s done all that with a drop in opponent BABIP of just .012 points (.268 to .256)! There’s nothing fluky going on here—Giolito’s determination and dedication to improvement over the offseason have put him in position to be an elite pitcher for years to come.

Grade: A+

Reynaldo Lopez

Well, they can’t all be positive grades, right? Lopez has struggled mightily, to the tune of a 6.12 ERA and 5.85 FIP. His strikeouts and walks haven’t changed much, so what’s the issue? A big chunk of the blame falls on his lack of command within the zone—throwing balls right down the middle or simply just not where they’re supposed to go. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that his numbers are a tiny bit better in June and that his opponent BABIP has spiked since last year. I don’t expect a real turnaround, but the Sox would sure appreciate a second half more around the 4.75 ERA level, which isn’t impossible.

Grade: D-

James McCann

Who knew McCannon would be considered a “key player” at any time in a White Sox uniform? Well, actually, our Jordan Lazowski did.  With more fWAR and bWAR than Gary Sanchez, McCann even has an argument to be the AL All-Star starting catcher instead of the backup. Anger with Yankees fans aside, James has played well behind the plate and even better with the bat, sporting an .890 OPS alongside a dazzling .319 average. I’m really not sure who’s the bigger surprise between him and Giolito, but I’m not going to dwell on it so long as they keep playing like they have.

Grade: A+

Bullpen 

There is no one reliever who means a ton to the White Sox’s future, but several arms have been impressive thus far. Aaron Bummer has pitched to All-Star worthy numbers, and Alexander Colome is doing great overall despite a lot of luck. Evan Marshall looks like a useful hidden gem, and Juan Minaya is pitching better than at any point in his career. Herrera looks like a poor signing, but he deserves some time to prove himself. All in all, Chicago is a couple transactions away from having an elite bullpen.

Grade: B+

Rick Renteria 

The skipper is as much apart of this rebuild as anyone, especially with Sox management showing zero signs of discontent with their coach. First off, Ricky annoys the hell out of me and plenty of Sox fans with his emphasis on bunting and head-scratching lineup decisions. Sometimes they truly just make no sense. But I think the fanbase will have to accept that, as many other’s have with their like-minded leaders. Other than those issues, Ricky has done a suitable job managing this team. Player relationships? Great. Clubhouse culture? Awesome. Bullpen management? Solid. Knowing his team’s record? OK, he could do better there. Overall, though, not bad.

Grade: B-

Team 

39-42 isn’t where many hoped we’d be two years ago, but it’s nothing to complain about with injury problems abound and young talent leading the way. Not to mention that the South Siders just went 7-8 versus a formidable list of teams in their last 15 games. With Cease making his debut Wednesday, too, who knows what this season could have in store? I’m eager to find out.

Grade: B+

Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!

Featured Photo: AP Sports/Charles Rex Arbogast

0 comment
2 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
AnalysisMinor Leagues

Farm Analysis: Collins, Hansen Bright Spots Behind Cease, Robert

by Tim Moran
written by Tim Moran

Much like my impression of the current White Sox team, my feelings on Chicago’s minor league system are mixed. With the Sox, taking two of four from Houston thrills me but having Dylan Covey and Manny Banuelos still in the rotation brings me down. Similarly, Dylan Cease, Luis Robert, Zack Collins, and Alec Hansen are exciting while the rest of the “Top 30” prospects have been disappointing thus far in 2019. The season is indeed young. But over a month of games is nothing to scoff at, and so it’s fair to say that, thinking statistically, likely only one or two of Chicago’s second-tier farmhands will drastically turn their seasons around. Seriously, just look at some of these numbers:

  • Nick Madrigal: .271/.342/.373 (.716 OPS) at High-A Winston-Salem
  • Luis Gonzalez: .220/.271/.306 (.577 OPS) at Double-A Birmingham
  • Micker Adolfo: Out for season (.632 OPS)
  • Blake Rutherford: .182/.225/.294 (.519/Yikes OPS) at Double-A Birmingham
  • Ian Hamilton: 16.1 IP, 9.92 ERA, 1.90 WHIP at Triple-A Charlotte
  • Zack Burdi: 15.1 IP, 7.04 ERA, 1.89 WHIP between High-A Winston Salem/Double-A Birmingham

With multiple key graduations in their Top 30, the once proud, deep Chicago White Sox system is thinning out before our eyes. Before we turn to our (prospect) knights in shining armor, a few good-but-not-great prospects are worth mentioning. Unlike most of his fellow arms in the system, lefty Bernardo Flores is impressing with a 3.17 ERA complementing a 1.03 WHIP.  Steele Walker and Konnor Pilkington have cooled down significantly since being called up to Class A+ Winston-Salem, but are sporting good numbers overall. Luis Basabe is the inverse–starting poorly but absolutely raking the past week. Off the Pipeline Top 30 List, Danny Mendick and Matt Skole are looking like potential major league additions, as our Jordan Lazowski has explored here. Everyone else though? Not so good. Enough of the gloom. Let’s dive into the success of the headline players, starting with Dylan Cease. On the surface, Cease’s numbers aren’t entirely all that wonderful. The 23-year-old righty has a 3.38 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP in 40 innings. Something seemed wrong at first glance, though, because Cease hasn’t allowed many homers and is walking less batters than ever before. That’s when it hit me: BABIP! Sure enough, opponents are rocking a .370 BABIP (batting average on balls in play) against Cease, which should normalize and fall. In addition, Cease is getting more ground balls, less line drives, and less fly balls in 2019, which proves that the hits against him thus far are pretty fluky. Cease’s WHIP and ERA appear significantly inflated, and the right-hander is actually having another great year on the mound. This is welcome news for the rebuild. With all the pitching injuries throughout the organization combined with the struggles of Reynaldo Lopez, the White Sox could really use a healthy and sharp Dylan Cease. Speaking of staying healthy, let’s take a moment to appreciate Luis Robert. This year, the premier center field prospect has managed to avoid any significant injuries, and consequently has enjoyed a spectacular campaign in the minors. While he’s cooled down a bit at Class AA Birmingham with an .821 OPS in 19 games there, the Cuban slugger demolished the Class A+ Carolina League with an OPS north of 1.400 on the Dash. It’s worth mentioning that the Barons play in a heavy pitcher-favoring park, so Robert’s numbers there are solid. His overall line this year: .361/.421/.697 with 10 homers in 155 ABs. He also leads the Barons with 10 doubles despite only spending half the season there. Next, I’d like to establish that Zack Collins is having a fantastic season for Class AAA Charlotte, despite spending some time on the IL. After two-and-a-half good years in the minors, the powerful catcher has taken his game to a new level this season. Through 29 games with the Knights, Collins is slashing .255/.381/.541 for a .922 OPS. While the 7 dingers and high OPS are great, my favorite part is the .255 average. Collins hit .363 with the Miami Hurricanes in college but has relied on walks (.234 career average) to maintain a high OBP since turning pro. That’s changed a bit this year, as the former first-rounder is doing more work with the bat than the eyes in 2019. It might seem like a small improvement, but think about it — a hit with a runner in scoring position is miles better than a walk. Hopefully we’ll see Collins not long after the All-Star Break. I would argue the biggest prospect surprise of 2019 thus far has been Alec Hansen. The former #46 prospect pitched horribly in 2018 after recovering from forearm soreness and dropped far in prospect rankings. Coming out of the bullpen with Winston-Salem and Birmingham this season though, Hansen has weathered command problems to pitch to a 1.93 ERA (2.56 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP. Imagine his numbers if he didn’t walk a batter every four outs or so! Mirroring Cease, Hansen’s line drive and fly ball percentage are noticeably down, so I think his success will be sustained over the 2019 campaign. While I would love to see Hansen regain his dominance as a starter, I would gladly take a career as a prominent bullpen arm from the second-round pick. Regardless of his role, Hansen will be a force to be reckoned with if he even slightly improves his command. Death, taxes, and volatile prospects are the only certain things in this world. For our sake, let us hope guys like Cease stay on target while the big changes come to the struggling majority of the Sox system.

Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more White Sox updates! Featured Photo: Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights 

4 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts