Chicago White Sox
Placed on suspended list: SS Robert Valido
Recalled: RHP Lance Broadway
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Chris Getz
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Johnnie Lowe, C Billy Killian
Reinstated from DL: RHP Carlos Torres

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1646

Prospect Of The Day

Despite not allowing a hit over five innings, Great Falls starter Dexter Carter (White Sox) didn’t get a decision in the Voyagers’ seven-inning, 4-1 loss to Billings (Reds) in the second game of a double header. Carter struck out seven hitters, but spotty command led to three walks and an unearned run. The 6-foot-6 righthander out of Old Dominion was the White Sox’ 13th-round pick and is 6-1, 2.23 with 89 strikeouts and 25 walks over 68 2/3 innings on the season.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1648#more-1648

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_03_wswafa_myrafa_1

http://birmingham.barons.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_09_04_msbaax_biraax_1&did=t247&sid=t247

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_04_wswafa_myrafa_1

Great Falls: There might be no tougher assignment in a short three-game series than the Voyagers, who will likely toss the league’s three best strikeout artists at the Mustangs. Dexter Carter finished second in the race with 89 strikeouts, but his 2.23 ERA led the league. Daniel Hudson was the highest draft pick, struck out the most hitters and probably has the best stuff. But don’t sleep on Kevin Skogley, who matches his strikeout-per-inning rate with a 2.24 groundout-to-flyout ratio. In draft pedigree, reliever Drew O’Neil (fourth round) becomes one to watch, though the right-hander has had his struggles (7.20 ERA) this season. Offensively, it’s the Tyler Kuhn show, as the shortstop guides the offense. Kuhn hit .377/.428/.567 in his first summer out of West Virginia, showing fabulous gap power. He’ll be flanked by Kyle Shelton (.289 AVG) of the NCAA runner-up UNC Tar Heels and catcher Mike Grace, who leads the team with 13 home runs.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080904&content_id=454568&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

http://birmingham.barons.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t247&gid=2008_09_05_msbaax_biraax_1&cid=247&t=g_box

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_09_05_myrafa_wswafa_1&t=g_box&did=milb

http://birmingham.barons.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_09_06_biraax_msbaax_1&did=t247&sid=t247

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_09_06_grfrok_bilrok_1&t=g_box&did=milb

Six Dominican Summer League players tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone.
…
• White Sox outfielder Luis Ramos, 20, batted .278/.344/.361 in 255 at-bats split between Chicago’s two DSL affiliates.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1667#more-1667

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_07_bilrok_grfrok_1

Chicago White Sox

A fifth-round pick in 2004 who has always teased with his power potential yet frustrated with his rawness, massive first baseman Brandon Allen started to put it all together this year by walking more, striking out less, and slugging 29 home runs. His last six weeks at Double-A Birmingham really impressed scouts, as he mashed at a .275/.358/.614 line in 41 games, with 14 home runs in 153 at-bats.

Runner-Up: A minor league vet in his sixth professional season, outfielder David Cook hit .284/.410/.493 between Double- and Triple-A, while showing a wide range of skills with 19 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and 93 walks.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8048

And Rec’d HARD.

Managers Marc Bombard of Triple-A Charlotte, Carlos Subero of Double-A Birmingham and Tim Blackwell of high Class A Winston-Salem, as well as Birmingham hitting coach Wes Clements, have been told they won’t return in 2009.

Advanced rookie league Bristol manager Bobby Thigpen will become a pitching coach at one of the minor-league affiliates.

link

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_09_11_orerok_grfrok_1&did=t581&sid=t581

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t581&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_12_grfrok_orerok_1

9 errors between the teams; skogley provided 8 innings of no run pitching. 1 BB and 7 K.

while it’s just rookie league, skogley, carter and hudson have some very legit numbers for the year. the latter two especially look like ones to keep a close eye on. (skogley is repeating the level, is older, and didn’t perform well at kanny; perhaps has a future outside of starting.)

hudson mows through orem lineup; 12(!)Ks in 6 IP; 2BB and 4 hits; 4th round pick drew o’neil coughs up 4 runs in 1 IP. orem starter chased after 1.1 IP.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_09_13_grfrok_orerok_1&did=t581&sid=t581

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080914&content_id=457894&vkey=news_t581&fext=.jsp&sid=t581

this is a preliminary list. i haven’t looked deeply into anyone’s numbers and won’t do so until the offseason. so there’s very likely going to be movement, because outside the top two, i’m pretty open. also, this is my prospects list and i deem who is a prospect and who has now graduated to simply major leaguers, without regard to “rookie” status. so you’re not going to see fields or russell. and the list is also my own alchemy of upside and polish.

1. gordon beckham.
i doubt anyone will argue this. top 08 draft pick and, while it’s too small of a sample to draw a conclusion from, his pro debut at kanny was quite solid: .310/.365/.500. his mix of tools and polish should have him arriving in 2010 at either middle infield position

2. aaron poreda
by far, the top prospect in the sox’ system going into the season and his “drop” to #2 is a compliment to beckham, not an insult to poreda because, if anything, poreda’s status improved over the season. ate up high a batters and then went on to do the same at birmingam. k rate improved greatly over the course of the season, while maintaining a low bb rate. should start next season at charlotte but will have the opportunity to compete for the 5th starter job. eta of mid 2009.

3. brandon allen
this may be a controversial place for him but, after the top two, it’s not all that clear. allen has always teased, as i quoted kevin goldstein earlier. but he’s now put some polish on his rawness with some great power and discipline numbers between A+ and AA. he’s looking like your basic mashing left-handed 1B/DH and could very well arrive in 2010 to replace PK at 1B.

4. jordan danks
like beckham, there isn’t much to take from his debut at kanny. but his numbers were even more impressive, flashing the power potential that he needs to fulfill in order to be a legit major league prospect: .325/.400/.625. your starting CF in 2011.

5. clayton richard
we’re all familiar with his work at the major league level. rocketed through the organization this year with some impressive numbers that were significantly helped by luck. was thrusted into a major league role that he simply wasn’t ready for. needs to refine his secondary stuff if he wants to be a starter; however, he’s shown enough improvement that his likely ceiling has gone from loogy to 3/4 starter. will be in the mix for 5th starter next year but could use more time at AAA.

6. chris getz
also took a significant step forward this year, raising his ceiling from utilityman to starting 2B. will be afforded the opportunity to win the 2B job next year and deservedly so.

7. jack egbert
injuries look to have hurt him and, coupled with a tough adjustment to AAA, caused his stock to decline. one of his major skills was an ability to induce grounders. he then proceeded to give up a huge amount of homers in the more hitter friendly intl league. his k/bb is still respectable and he’ll be afforded the opportunity to fight for the 5th starter job next year.

8. john shelby
continues to be a bit old for his level, but he had impressive numbers at high a: .295/.331/.510. needs to improve his discipline

9 (tie) daniel hudson and dexter carter
the college teammates debuted together at great falls and absolutely dominated. hudson has more polish, but carter probably has better overall stuff. the knock on carter was he couldn’t put things together in college. something clicked or the sox made an adjustment or something. but they both should be watched going forward because those k/bb rates are legit.

10. lucas harrell
the white sox protected him from the rule 5 draft last year, despite missing the whole prior season with injury. had a nice, but not great, return. the potential has always been there and next year, when he’s presumably fully recovered from the surgery, will be a make or break year.

Others: lance broadway, cole armstrong, brent morel, john ely, nevin griffith, tyler kuhn, kanekoa texeira, jon link, david cook, jose martinez, jacob rasner, jason bourgeois.

thoughts on the managerial changes in the minors?

http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67550&pid=1743627&st=0&#entry1743627

ROFL.

Chicago White Sox

Command specialist Jack Egbert 7 finally saw his lack of a true out pitch catch up to him at Triple-A, as his ERA rose by more than one and a half runs, to 4.65 in 24 games for Charlotte.

Runner-up: One of the reasons for a shakeup in the White Sox scouting department, 2006 first-rounder Kyle McCulloch 11 was overmatched at Double-A Birmingham, with a 4.65 ERA in 28 games, just 85 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings, and an opponents’ average of .306

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8088

PIONEER LEAGUE TOP 20 PROSPECTS
1. Wilin Rosario, c, Casper (Rockies)
2. Cutter Dykstra, of, Helena (Brewers)
3. Will Smith, lhp, Orem (Angels)
4. Devaris Gordon, ss, Ogden (Dodgers)
5. Luis Jimenez, 3b, Orem (Angels)
6. Delta Cleary, of, Casper (Rockies)
7. Bryan Shaw, rhp, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
8. Trevor Harden, rhp, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
9. Dexter Carter, rhp, Great Falls (White Sox)
10. Kyle Russell, of, Ogden (Dodgers)
11. Pedro Baez, 3b, Ogden (Dodgers)
12. Jose Perez, rhp, Orem (Angels)
13. Efrain Nieves, lhp, Helena (Brewers)
14. Rossmel Perez, c, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
15. Angel Castillo, of, Orem (Angels)
16. Wily Peralta, rhp, Helena (Brewers)
17. Erik Komatsu, of, Helena (Brewers)
18. Dan Hudson, rhp, Great Falls (White Sox)
19. Tony Delmonico, 2b, Ogden (Dodgers)
20. Michael Kohn, rhp, Orem (Angels)

Dexter Carter, rhp, Great Falls Voyagers (White Sox)
B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-6 Wt.: 195 Age: 21 Drafted: White Sox ’08 (14)
Carter had a disastrous junior season at Old Dominion, posting an 8.76 ERA and walking nearly a batter per inning. After drafting him in the 14th round, the White Sox made some minor tweaks to his delivery, giving him a more consistent landing point and getting him on a straighter line to the plate. The changes worked wonders, as he led the league with a 2.23 ERA and finished second to college and pro teammate Dan Hudson in the strikeout race with 89 in 69 innings.

Lanky, loose and athletic, Carter has fine command of a lively 88-93 mph fastball. His high-70s curveball worked well for him this summer. His changeup is inconsistent at this point, but he has feel for it and could turn it into an average pitch in the future.

Carter leverages his 6-foot-6 size well, getting good downward plane by coming almost straight over the top. While he was able to open up his delivery, he still throws somewhat across his body.

“Whoever the scout was that drafted him needs to be given a bonus,” Orem manager Tom Kotchman said, “because that’s a heck of a 14th-round pick right there.”

Dan Hudson, rhp, Great Falls Voyagers White Sox ’08 (5)
B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 220 Age: 21 Drafted: White Sox ’08
After pitching together at Old Dominion, Hudson and Carter roomed together in Great Falls and formed a dynamic 1-2 punch on the mound for the league-champion Voyagers. Hudson led the league in strikeouts with 90 in 70 innings, then fanned 12 over six innings in the championship clincher against Orem.

Hudson throws strikes while operating from a low three-quarters angle with a long arm stroke in the back. His fastball has average velocity and exceptional life, riding in on righties and tailing away from lefties. He gets strikeouts by throwing his slider down in the zone and he also mixes in an occasional changeup.

APPY TOP 20 PROSPECTS
1. Tim Beckham, ss, Princeton Rays
2. Wilmer Flores, ss, Kingsport Mets
3. Matt Moore, lhp, Princeton Rays
4. Gabriel Noriega, ss, Pulaski Mariners
5. Mario Martinez, 3b, Pulaski Mariners
6. Randall Delgado, rhp, Danville Braves
7. Jordan Lyles, rhp, Greeneville Astros
8. Angel Morales, of, Elizabethton Twins
9. Albert Suarez, rhp, Princeton Rays
10. Kelvin Herrera, rhp, Burlington Royals
11. Jon Gilmore, 3b, Danville Braves
12. Jay Austin, of, Greeneville Astros
13. Niko Vasquez, ss, Johnson City Cardinals
14. Craig Kimbrel, rhp, Danville Braves
15. Paul Clemens, rhp, Danville Braves
16. Gregory Infante, rhp, Bristol White Sox
17. Sam Runion, rhp, Burlington Royals
18. Federico Hernandez, c, Greeneville Astros
19. Juan Silverio, ss, Bristol White Sox
20. Fernando Cruz, 3b, Burlington Royals

16. Gregory Infante, rhp, Bristol Sox
B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 185 Age: 21 Signed: Venezuela ’06
Infante got a later start to his career than most international free agents, signing with the White Sox as an 18-year-old in 2006 and turning 19 while pitching in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League that summer. He posted an ugly 8.61 ERA in the VSL, and followed up by going 2-3, 4.01 with 23 walks in 34 innings in the Appy League in 2007. Infante showed the same wildness in an assignment to low Class A Kannapolis this May, but he finally hit his stride in a return engagement in Bristol.

Though he’s already 21, Infante’s arm strength and clean delivery are difficult to ignore. His fastball ranges from 89-95 mph and sits at 92-93. While his command comes and goes, he holds his velocity late into his starts. He also throws a hard 74-79 mph downer curveball that functions as his out pitch.

Because he tends to overthrow everything now, he lacks feel for a changeup. But if he develops that pitch and improves his command, he could become a No. 3 starter.

19. Juan Silverio, ss, Bristol Sox
B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 175 Age: 17 Signed: White Sox ‘07
Silverio signed with the White Sox for $600,000 out of the Dominican Republic in August 2007, but both parties credited with his signing—international scouting director Dave Wilder and scout Victor Mateo—were fired in May for their roles in alleged international bonus skimming. Silverio’s bonus may or may not have been inflated in the scandal, and he’s also a difficult player to evaluate because he seemed completely overmatched by Appy League competition. That’s understandable in one regard, seeing as only Wilmer Flores was the only position player who was younger.

Silverio has a mature upper body and the ball carries off his bat when he makes contact. However, his rudimentary pitch recognition rendered him helpless against breaking balls, and his pull-happy approach left him exposed on the outer half of the plate.

He earned plaudits for his solid-average arm, but Silverio likes to stand up to throw, costing him time. His range and reads at shortstop both were below average, and he bobbled more balls than he should have. He has slow feet and is a below-average runner.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2008/266862.html