Sox fans were given a surprise report last night when Colson Montgomery was reportedly being promoted to Double-A Birmingham, but today’s news provides more context as to why such an aggressive promotion is taking place.
Chris Getz confirmed that multiple prospects from Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem will be promoted to Birmingham on Tuesday for a new Minor League developmental program he is calling “Project Birmingham.”
This new developmental initiative will reportedly have multiple lower-level prospects, all of who the White Sox organization is high on to join their Double-A affiliate for the remainder of the minor league season. On top of that, the Sox will be sending their minor league coordinators to Birmingham as well to ensure a full staff is on hand to work with the team.
Getz went on to explain the reasoning behind implementing Project Birmingham:
“I view it as an opportunity to certainly celebrate what we’ve done departmentally with bringing these players there.”
“Going into the year we certainly set our goals and feel like we’ve been able to accomplish a lot of them. We’ve had some players recently enter Top 100 Prospects list, and we feel like we’ve got some more that are just outside of it. And it’s a chance to show baseball and show the White Sox that we’ve got another wave of players coming.”
via MLB.com
While Colson Montgomery’s promotion has already been reported, Getz indicated that he will be joined by prospects such as Bryan Ramos, Norge Vera, Luis Mieses, Wes Kath, Tyler Osik, Jared Kelly, and others.
This plan is a new and unique one to the MLB, as the White Sox aren’t necessarily looking for these younger prospects to produce loud stats for the Birmingham Barons. The goal here is to bring the group of players together with their top developmental coordinators.
The White Sox began the year with the consensus worst farm system in the entire MLB, however, they have done a terrific job with internal development and have seen breakout performances by several prospects. This approach is just another step towards rebuilding a farm system that had been depleted after the key prospects from the rebuild were called up to the major league roster. It remains to be seen how this new initiative will pan out, but it is clear that the Sox have established a commitment to working with their potential future stars.
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While we expect some of these Birmingham bound prospects to continue their onward and upward path, this initiative calls to attention the opposite plight of one Yoan Moncsda. Outside of the yellow cleats and requisite tats all over the arms, what this hitless wonder could use is a trip back DOWN to the minors to work on his swing. His pride won’t initiate the idea and the Sox brass wouldn’t think of it. But wouldn’t it be refreshing for this one-time Number 1 prospect to volunteer a trip down to either Birmingham or Charlotte to work on that swing. A Mendoza-line hitter ALL year long would show true team spirit by acknowledging that, outside of the occasional web gems he provides at third, the only frozen ropes he’s good for these days are the strawberry Twizzlers he puts in the freezer. In Moncada’s stead, give fan favorite Jake Burger another shot at the corner hot.
For the good of the team, for the good of your present and future status with the club, go down, Moses. Er, uhm. I mean Yoan. And let your people grow…