Sure, But Can He Sing?: David Cook has spent six years in the White Sox system, and while he’s repeated some levels along the way, he’s consistently drawn many a walk and shown decent power. This year at Double-A Birmingham, the 26-year-old outfielder has taken everything up a notch, batting .313/.467/.577 for the Barons, and leading all of the minor leagues with 62 walks in just 208 at-bats to go along with 12 home runs. His age and a short, stocky build prevent him from being seen as much of a prospect, but one scout said his team, size, and style of play couldn’t help but remind him of a former White Sox player with a bowling-ball build and lots of secondary skills–-Warren Newson. Promoted to Triple-A last week, Cook went 11-for-24 with three doubles and three walks in his first seven games with Charlotte, including a 4-for-4 showing with a triple on Wednesday.

Still Slugging: Your current minor league home run leader is former Pirate Brad Eldred, who’s popped out 24 in just 71 games and 265 at-bats for Charlotte. He is still, however, the same Brad Eldred, as evidenced by a .260 batting average and 78 strikeouts against just 18 walks. Chances are that he’ll get every opportunity to maintain his home run lead, because with Jim Thome and Paul Konerko in the big leagues at DH and first base, there’s no room in Chicago for him. Eldred is the kind of player who could do very well performance-wise and popularity-wise in Japan.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7680

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080617&content_id=418847&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

Triple-A Charlotte third baseman Josh Fields was placed on the disabled list Monday because of a strained right knee. Fields is batting .251 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs with the Knights.

Juan Silverio, a smooth-fielding 6 foot 2 shortstop, steered a two-run homer over the right field fence. The next batter, designed hitter Jose Vargas, launched a homer in nearly the exact same place.

87. Aaron Poreda, LHP, White Sox
Eligible Next Year? Yes
Production: 3.31 ERA at High-A (73.1-67-18-46); 6.00 at Double-A (6-6-0-5)
Stock Report: Slightly down. He’s been promoted to Double-A for the second half of the season, but Poreda is not missing bats despite his size and velocity, as he’s made almost no progress with his breaking ball has.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7684

Minor League Transactions

Chicago White Sox

Signed: C Erick San Pedro

Draft picks signed: SS Lee Fischer (46), OF Justin Greene (20)

Released: RHP Matt Anderson, RHP Rob Bell, RHP Justin Klipp, RHP Joe Winkelsas, LHP Jacob Jean

Acquired: 1B Mark Fleisher from Orioles for future considerations

Traded: SS Gookie Dawkins to Royals for future considerations

Traded: OF Tom Collaro to Reds for future considerations

Voluntarily retired: 1B Jeff Liefer

Recalled: RHP Adam Russell

Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Ehren Wassermann

Outrighted off 40-man roster: OF Dewayne Wise

Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Juan Moreno, C Cole Armstrong

Reinstated from DL: RHP Daniel Carrasco, RHP Michael Dubee, RHP Leroy Hunt, RHP Justin Klipp, RHP Johnnie Lowe, RHP Jason Rice, RHP Clevelan Santeliz, RHP Joe Winkelsas, C Eric Hollis

Placed on temporarily inactive list: C Francisco Hernandez, OF Salvador Sanchez

Reinstated from inactive list: OF Salvador Sanchez

Option transferred: RHP Dewon Day (Triple-A Charlotte to Double-A Birmingham)

Just 22, Gonzalez already has been traded three times in his young career. And after last night’s start, it’s easy to see why teams are so eager to acquire him. The young lefty, who led the minors in punchouts last season, struck out 12 Fresno batters in eight innings, while walking none and allowing only one hit. Righthander Jeff Gray pitched the ninth to preserve the Sacramento one-hitter, a 4-0 win. The start was Gonzalez’ best this season, by far, though he has resuscitated his strikeout-to-walk ratio in June, where it stands at 2.7-to-1 after sitting at 1.8-to-1 in April and May.

also

Northwest Arkansas (Royals) righthander Dan Cortes had his best outing of the season yesterday against Tulsa. Cortes, the top pitching prospect in the Royals organization, left after allowing one run and three hits through seven innings. The 21-year-old Cortes struck out 10 and walked just one, giving up season totals of 53 strikeouts and 21 walks in 50 1/3 innings with a 3.58 ERA.

5 IP, 6 hits, 7 runs including two homers (oh where did the GBs go?); dj carrasco again showing he’s an option if need be.

nevin griffith debuted at GF and when 5 IP with 2 runs (neither earned), 4 hits, 4Ks, no walks.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/NEWS01/806200328/1002/news01

Juan Silverio was projected as a five-tool talent when he signed with the Chicago White Sox as a 16-year-old shortstop. He flashed a few of those tools on Saturday night.

Silverio hit his first career grand slam and drove in a career-high seven runs to lead the Bristol Sox to a 10-4 triumph over the Burlington Royals at Burlington Athletic Stadium.

The native of the Dominican Republic stroked an RBI single and scored in the first inning, plated a run with a groundout in the sixth before hitting the slam, his second homer of the season, in the seventh. He added an RBI base hit in the ninth.

Sox manager Bobby Thigpen likes what he’s seen in only five games from Silverio.

“He’s a great kid and he’s gotten off to a good start,” said the former All-Star closer. “I’ve only seen him for a few weeks, but he’s been working hard.”

Silverio is batting .381 (8-for-21) with two homers and 16 RBIs in five games. Signed as a non-drafted free agent, he began the year in extended spring training before arriving in Bristol. He is viewed as a five-tool prospect and could move quickly up the organizational ladder. ...

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_06_23_noraaa_chraaa_1&did=t494&sid=t494

and since no one seems willing to quote BP

Juan Silverio, SS, Rookie-Level Bristol (White Sox)
While the White Sox have one of the worst minor league systems in the game, one of the positives is a renewed focus on Latin American talent. They signed a number of players during last year’s international signing period, and none garnered more attention than Silverio, a long, lean shortstop with monster-level tools. After going 3-for-12 in his first three professional games to start the season, Silverio turned up the heat over the weekend by going 2-for-4 with a double on Friday, and then 3-for-5 with his second home run of the year and seven RBI in Saturday’s 10-4 drubbing of Burlington. Only 17 years old, Silverio’s plus power/speed combination, as well as athleticism to stay up the middle long term, could have him shooting up the prospect charts by the time the season ends.

egbert getting absolutely rocked today. already three home runs in four innings. by way of reference, egbert gave up three home runs last year. as in, over the whole season.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_06_24_noraaa_chraaa_1&did=t494&sid=t494

plus, the charlotte roster just gets more and more amusing. noah hall and his .298 slugging at b-ham was enough to get him called up to DH. and something called blasi has been acquired to play the outfield.

Chicago White Sox

Signed: RHP Brent DeFoor (NDFA—Faulkner (Ala.)), RHP Chad Dawson (NDFA—Indiana State), RHP Michael Lucas (NDFA—Xavier), LHP Enrique Lechuga (NDFA—Concordia (Calif.)), LHP Shane Buriff (NDFA—St. Leo (Fla.)), C Zack Larson (NDFA—San Diego Mesa JC), 1B Brett Bonvechio, OF Nick Damas (NDFA—Marshall), OF Estee Harris

Draft picks signed: RHP Brett Graffy (24), RHP Dan Hudson (5), RHP Dexter Carter (13), RHP Stephen Sauer (10), 2B Drew Garcia (21), 3B Brent Morel (3), SS Doug Thennis (27), OF Ken Williams Jr. (6)

Recalled: RHP Adam Russell

Added to 40-man roster: OF Dewayne Wise

Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brian Omogrosso, LHP Israel Chirino, 3B Josh Fields, OF Jerry Owens

Reinstated from DL: C Cole Armstrong

Reinstated from inactive list: C Francisco Hernandez

lasted all of six games there before being promoted to kanny. i guess a 1.200 OPS will do that.

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=32807

1B/DH nick mahin, who is a bit older than escobar (if you’re of the ilk who believe in dominican ages), also reportedly promoted to kanny as well.

http://www.warthogs.com/content/News/items/News_20080625_8-14-30?c=on

Pitcher Clayton Richard and second baseman Chris Getz of Triple-A Charlotte were named to the Team USA squad that will play in the Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on July 13.

Double-A Birmingham manager Carlos Subero is a coach on the World team staff.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/06/futures-game-se.html

http://birmingham.barons.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_06_26_biraax_msbaax_1&did=t247&sid=t247

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_06_26_noraaa_chraaa_1&did=t494&sid=t494

he was ripping it up in great falls so clearly a fully deserved promotion.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Oney%20Guillen&pos=2B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=518750

organizational move, of course.

http://www.bransondailynews.com/story.php?storyID=7876

6 IP, 2 runs, 1BB, 5K, 1HR for the win. and carrasco shows he’s still a backend option if need be.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t494&gid=2008_06_28_chraaa_ricaaa_1&cid=494&t=g_box

bourgeois continues to be hot, 4-5 with 2 3B. getz 3-4. armstrong 5-5. 17 hits overall for the knights.