This Week in White Sox Minor League Baseball

This week:

• The White Sox rookie league affiliates began play.  While these teams are essentially comprised of recent draft picks, there's also one name from the past that has finally re-emerged: Jose Martinez.  Signed out of Venezuela in 2006, Martinez injured his knee in May 2008 playing for Kannapolis and further setbacks, including microfracture surgery, resulted in a lengthy absence.  After more than two years away from real baseball, the 21 year old is back with Bristol and has gotten off to a torrid start: .474/.500/.684. While it's probable that his injury sapped him of some speed, Martinez had an impressive package of tools, particularly at the plate, and it will be interesting to follow his progress.  He'll likely be back at Kannapolis before long.
• As one player returns from a knee problem, another acquires one.  Dan Remenowsky was placed on the DL with a right knee issue he suffered covering first base in Thursday's game.  While he hadn't found the Carolina League quite as easy, his numbers this season are still very good and he's adapted well to more multi-inning appearances: 39.1 IP, 34 H, 13 BB, 60 K.
• Tyler Flowers: .223/.314/.488.
  
• Christian Marrero made my top ten list after last season.  While that spoke more to the lack of depth in the organization, he did put up decent numbers - though perhaps not good enough for a corner OF/1B.  His .245/.355/.327 performance this season has been perplexing.  He's cut the strikeouts and is getting on base at a better rate than any time in his career but his power - career SLG of .445 - has abandoned him.  His .290 BABIP is well off his career marks so bad luck is likely a factor, potentially as is a concerted effort to coax more walks.  The results have been so odd, though, that I'm not sure what to think about him at this point.
• C.J. Retherford is another top ten listee who is having a less than inspiring season.  Unlike Marrero's, however, there isn't anything to still like about Retherford's.  After putting up a putrid .201/.249/.321 for Charlotte, he hasn't done much better after his demotion to Birmingham: .231/.271/.330.  His only good skills were contact and doubles power, both of which have disappeared this season.
• Dan Hudson: 15 GS, 82.1 IP, 75 H, 27 BB, 97 K.
• Jon Gilmore showed everyone why it was (and perhaps still is) thought he'd develop the power normally associated with a third baseman by winning the home run derby at the Carolina League versus California League All-Star Game.  His .334/.362/.427 line this season certainly looks better than what he did in the Sally League the last couple years but the lack of walks remains and he appears to be benefiting from the reputedly generous offensive environment of the Dash's new stadium, where he's put up a .389/.417/.486 triple slash.
  
• Brent Morel looks like he's adapting to AAA. Overall line is .226/.278/.262 but he's batting .343/.410/.400 in his last ten games.
• Not playing Randy Williams for two weeks does not make him better.  Carlos Torres still belongs in the bullpen. 16 G, 97.2 IP, 75 H, 37 BB, 92 K.