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Under the Radar details players in the Chicago White Sox system who may have suffered setbacks, gotten lost in the shuffle, or just haven’t surfaced as significant prospects as of yet.
Next up iis Lenyn Sosa, who signed with the Sox organization as a 16-year-old free agent and is aggressively moving throught the system.
Lenyn Sosa (SS) Great Falls Voyagers
Lenyn Sosa was part of a large signing class in 2016 that included outfielders Josue Guerrero, Anderson Comas, Anthony Coronado, and Luis Mieses; catcher Kleyder Sanchez; and right-handed pitchers Jendersson Caraballo, Brayan Herrera and Ramon Pineda.
After signing for $325,000, Sosa (a native of Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) was projected by most scouts to begin last season in the Dominican Summer League with his fellow signees. However, Sosa was placed with the AZL Sox, and hasn’t looked back since. He’s played the whole 2018 season with Great Falls, which is impressive because he is 2.6 years younger than the league average and is more than 19 months younger than his nearest teammate (Franklin Reyes).
Despite being so young on the AZL Sox last year, the Venezuelan slashed a respectable .270/.330/.358 with 14 walks (7.8 BB%) and just 24 strikeouts (13.3%) in 180 plate appearances, while slugging two homers and swiping three bases.
This year for Great Falls, his slash line has improved to .321/345/.474 with five walks (3.4%) and 15 strikeouts (10.3%) through July 27, in 145 plate appearances. His power numbers have improved with Great Falls, which could be a result of the thinner air in the Pioneer League’s ballparks. Currently, Sosa is a line-drive hitter with occasional gap power. However, with more strength (he currently is six-foot, 180), there is indeed room for power projection. Defensively this year, Sosa has spent 59% of his time at short, 31% at third base, and 10% at second. Despite moving around, Sosa has only committed two errors in 33 games this year—both on the left side of the infield.
What does Lenyn Sosa bring to the table? Sosa has shown quick bat speed and hand-eye coordination from the right side of the plate, along with good bat-to-ball skills in games. He fares equally well against righties (.324) and southpaws (.313). His hitting is only expected to improve as he develops more patience, which usually comes with experience. Sosa is an excellent glove man, with a strong enough arm to continue playing shortstop and third base as he progresses through the system. It is possible, however, that he may end up moving to second base due to his average speed. Finally, Sosa is said to have a hard-nosed mentality, which speaks to future leadership abilities as well.
It’s hard to believe that someone with Sosa’s skills is just 18. At the time of his signing, the South Side’s system depth at shortstop was virtually nonexistent. This has changed now, with several recent additions: Jose Rondon, Yeyson Yrizarri, Nick Madrigal (who of course could play 2B), Laz Rivera, Lency Delgado, Kelvin Maldonado, Sydney Pimental and Jose Rodriguez, via a combination of international signings, trades, and draft picks.
Some of these guys will pan out, and others won’t, while still others will move to other positions and/or become utility players. Some could even become trade bait as the White Sox’s contention window finally arrives. It will be exciting to see how these young infielders, including Sosa, will continue to develop in the next two or three years.