White Sox Minor League Update: July 7, 2019

Futures Game

As has been well established, two Chicago White Sox farmhands were invited to Sunday night’s Futures Game, Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal. Playing for Jim Thome’s American League club, both players started, with Madrigal playing second base and batting second, Robert in center field and batting third. The two combined to go 0-for-6, with a strikeout.

In the first, both players grounded out to the right side against Atlanta Braves farmhand Ian Anderson. Anderson froze Madrigal with a curve for strike one, then pounded him with three fastballs, the third of which Madrigal fluted to first base. Robert took a first-pitch strike, waved off two off-speed balls, then at 2-1 piped a fastball out to second base, ending the inning.

In the fourth, Madrigal dribbled out to second base on a fastball, after two offspeed balls from New York Mets hurler Anthony Kay. Robert again ended the inning, getting a K on three straight strikes. Madrigal was pulled from the game for the fifth inning, giving Oakland A’s infielder Jorge Mateo a chance to get some burn.

Robert ended the sixth inning against San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon, who sliced a 97 mph slider in on Robert on 1-0, which Robert sent out to center field to fall to 0-for-3.

The AL club had fallen behind 2-0 in the fourth inning, but would rally for two runs in the bottom of the seventh, sending this seven-inning game to a single extra inning, with runners starting the inning at second base. Still, neither team could score that runner, the AL failing in part as Robert flew out for the second straight to center field, ending his night 0-for-4.

The game ended after eight innings, deadlocked in a 2-2 tie.

---

Charlotte Knights 7, Norfolk Tides 5

Dylan Covey (SP) 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (1.85 ERA, 0.99 WHIP)
Jordan Guerrero (RP) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (7.89 ERA, 2.21 WHIP)
Thyago Vieira (RP) W (5-2) 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (4.99 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)
Jimmy Cordero (RP) S (4) 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (0.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP)
Adam Engel (CF) 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 2B (11), 1 K, (.277 BA, .821 OBS)
Danny Mendick (2B) 1-for-3 (.266 BA, .781 OBS)
Matt Skole (1B) 1-for-2, R, 2 BB, 1 K (.260 BA, .920 OBS)
Yermin Mercedes (DH) 1-for-4, R, HR (5), 5 RBI (19) (.327 BA, 1.084 OBS) **MVP**
Seby Zavala (C) 1-for-4, K (.230 BA, .751 OBS)
Trey Michalczewski (3B) 1-for-4, R, K, CS (1) (.167 BA, .544 OBS)
Jacob Scavuzzo (LF) 2-for-4, R, 2B (3), K (.259 BA, .717 OBS)
Ryan Goins (SS) 2-for-4, R 2 RBI (44) (.319 BA, .927 OBS)

After a scoreless first by the rehabbing Covey, Engel doubled to lead off the first with a double and promptly scored on a fielding error by Tide first baseman Jace Peterson. Unfortunately, Peterson returned the favor by opening the second with a double and promptly scoring on a two-base throwing error by Michalczewski. Covey sailed along in the second, but in the third, after a 13-pitch walk to outfielder Cedric Mullins, he surrendered a double to the following hitter which forced the Knights into a 2-1 deficit.

Despite some tough at-bats which loaded up his pitch count, Covey kept the game at a 2-1 deficit through four innings. He should be ready to return to the White Sox quite soon. Goins gladly erased that deficit by knocking a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth to give the Knights a 3-2 lead.

Unfortunately, Guerrero came in and surrendered a hit and three walks. He got bailed out, however, in that fifth inning when Tide third baseman Zach Vincej swung at a 2-0 pitch (Guerrero had thrown out six straight balls) with the bases loaded and promptly lined out. Guerrero returned for the sixth inning, and his struggles continued; if not for a sensational play by Engel to save at least a double, the game could’ve gotten easily out of hand.

To say Guerrero scuffled was like saying Custer had a down day in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was hit hard, and was constantly hit hard in this outing. Vieira didn’t do him any favors, however, as he allowed an inherited runner to score from third. As a result, the Knights fell behind 5-3 once the top half of the sixth concluded. Then, with three men on in the bottom of the seventh, Yermin Mercedes put together his own fireworks display by smashing a 432-foot bomb (his fifth for the Knights) to give Charlotte a two-run lead at 7-5. Is it me, or is Mercedes one of the best hitters in the Sox system when it comes to hitting in the clutch?

Despite allowing an inherited score, Vieira deserved a “W” in the scorecard as he stemmed the Tides for 2 ¹⁄₃ innings — allowing just a couple of measly hits. Newfound Charlotte stopper Jimmy Cordero has basically been lights-out for the Knights, and today was no exception as he surrendered just one hit in his one inning as he earned the save. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn a promotion to the South Side relatively soon. The Knights now head into the All-Star break with an impressive 49-40 record. Goins and reliever Connor Walsh will be the two Knights in this year’s game.

---

Birmingham Barons 6, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5 (10)

Lincoln Henzman (SP) QS, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR (4.43 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)
Mauricio Cabrera (RP) 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (4.71 ERA, 2.30 WHIP)
Codi Heuer (RP) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (3.60 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)
Hunter Schryver (RP) W (3-1), 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (2.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)
Luis Gonzalez (CF) 0-for-5, K (.235 BA, .636 OPS)
Joel Booker (LF) 1-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K (.290 BA, .705 OPS)
Blake Rutherford (RF) 3-for-5, 2 R, 1 K (.268 BA, .680 OPS) **MVP**
Gavin Sheets (1B) 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B (10), HR (11), 2 RBI (60), K, (.275 BA, .756 OPS)
Ti’Quan Forbes (DH) 0-for-2, 2 BB, 1 K (.241 BA, .666 OPS)
Damek Tomscha (3B) 1-for-4, RBI (1), 3 K (.375 BA, .875 OPS)
Laz Rivera (SS) 1-for-4, RBI (20) (.243 BA, .573 OPS)
Ramon Torres (2B) 3-for-4, 2B (10), CS (.217 BA, .583 OPS)

Alex Kiriloff, No. 2 Twins prospect per MLB Pipeline, started the scoring with his fourth homer of the season in the top half of the first — no doubt he’ll continue to be a thorn in the White Sox’s side for many years to come. After a slow start, Ramon Torres did his best to ignite a rally with a beautiful bunt single — clearly, this guy will do anything it takes to win a spot on the White Sox roster.

The game remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth, when Gavin Sheets continued his power surge with his 11th homer of the season.

Unfortunately for the Barons, the Blue Wahoos got the run right back on the top half of the fifth thanks to an RBI double by Jordan Gore. However the Futures Game-shorthanded Birmingham squad showed no quit in them as they scored three runs in their half of the sixth, thanks to an RBI double from Sheets’s hot bat, a Tomscha single and a fielder’s choice grounder by Rivera.

All in all, Henzman had quite a great game on the mound. Throwing an economical 80 pitches (57 strikes) over seven innings, he easily could’ve gone another inning or two. When reliever Mauricio Cabrera got into a jam thanks to a hit and two walks in the top of the eighth, Codi Heuer shut the door with two outs and the bases loaded by inducing a fly out. Unfortunately, as is seen so many times, a reliever shuts the door one inning and has difficulties when beginning the next inning. Heuer surrendered two runs and three hits in the ninth to blow the lead, an unusual occurrence for Heuer this season.

Pensacola took advantage of having the lead runner on second to begin extras, scoring one run in the top of the 10th off of southpaw Hunter Schryver. For the Barons, Luis Gonzalez began the bottom half of the frame on second, and after Booker walked and Rutherford singled to left, the bases were loaded for Sheets, who surprisingly failed to produce — grounding into a 1-2-3 double play. Then, with Forbes up with two outs and runners in scoring position, closer Zach Weiss uncorked a wild pitch that not only scored the tying run but the winning run as well! Take special note of Rutherford’s aggressive turn at third base to make scoring possible, as well as the apparent Bobby Jenks fan celebrating the win:

MVP was a tough call, as it could easily have gone to Sheets or Henzman. However, with three hits and his all-out hustle with the game on the line, Rutherford deserves the nod here! In the meantime, the Barons remain in first place in the second half, and are inching closer to an overall .500 mark, at 40-47.

---

Winston-Salem Dash 9, Frederick Keys 7 (10)

Zack Lewis (SP) QS, 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (5.82 ERA, 1.57 WHIP)
Luis Ledo (RP) 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2.14 ERA, 1.28 WHIP)
Jose Nin (RP) W (3-2), 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (4.73 ERA, 1.61 WHIP)
Tyler Frost (RF) 3-for-5, R, HR (10), 3 RBI (32), K (.254 BA, .766 OPS) **MVP**
Mitch Roman (LF) 1-for-5, R, 2 K (.299 BA, .723 OPS)
Steele Walker (CF) 2-for-3, 2 R, HR (6), 2 RBI (29), 2 BB (.269 BA, .776 OPS)
Zach Remillard (SS) 2-for-5 (.308 BA, .791 OPS)
Craig Dedelow (DH) 1-for-5, 2B (14), 2 K (.265 BA, .773 OPS)
Jordan George (1B) 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI (17) (.217 BA, .713 OPS)
Tate Blackman (2B) 1-for-5, R, K (.142 BA, .489 OPS)
Evan Skoug (C) 1-for-5, R, HR (4), 2 RBI (15), K (.203 BA, .768 OPS)
Yeyson Yrizarri (3B) 1-for-4, 2 R, BB (.211 BA, .516 OPS)

Starting pitcher Zach Lewis relinquished two runs before getting his first out, thanks to a triple that followed a single and hit batsman. Defense didn’t help matters later in that first inning when a Yeyson Yrizarri error allowed a third tally. Things looked they were going to snowball, as another hit batsman and Yrizarri error (oof, a whopping 22 for him now) forced the bases loaded. Fortunately, thanks to a terrific throw by Mitch Roman gunning the runner at third on a sac fly attempt, the Keys were held to just three runs. Fortunately, George got the Dash going immediately in the bottom of the inning, plating both Roman and Walker. And the Dash didn’t fall any further behind, thanks to plays like the one Remillard made below:

The game remained 3-2 until Walker, who should be ready for a promotion to Birmingham soon, took matter into his own hands with his sixth Dash homer.

Not to be outdone by the home-running Walker, Libertyville native Evan Skoug clubbed his fourth tater of the year to provide the Dash a 4-3 lead.

Walker tacked on another run that inning with an RBI single to plate Yrizarri. Lewis surrendered a fourth run in the sixth on an RBI triple, but left the game with the lead and 95 pitches (66 strikes) under his belt. Alas, the lead evaporated when second baseman Tate Blackman committed an error after a leadoff triple in the top of the seventh. After a rain delay in the bottom of the eighth, the game remained tied until the top of the 10th when the Tides scored two runs off Jose Nin, thanks to a walk and a couple of hits; it actually could’ve been worse if not for an outfield assist by Tyler Frost to end the frame. Skoug brought the game to 7-6 with an RBI groundout in the bottom half. This set the table for Frost, today’s Johnny-on-the-spot, who complemented his defensive heroics with some offensive ones of his own — a three-run, walk-off blast to win this exciting back-and-forth ballgame! Fortunately, in this game, Tide reliever Cameron Ming was more merciful today than his name implied. The Dash improved their record to 45-37 for the season.

---

Augusta GreenJackets 7, Kannapolis Intimidators 1

Jason Bilous (SP) 5 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR (3.92 ERA, 1.38 WHIP)
Wilber Perez (RP) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (3.20 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) **MVP**
Lenyn Sosa (SS) 2-for-4, 2K (.239 BA, .631 OPS)
Johan Cruz (3B) 1-for-4, R, HR (5), RBI (20), 2 K (.290 BA, .865 OPS)
Andrew Vaughn (DH) 0-for-3, BB, K (.200 BA, .557 OPS)
Alex Destino (LF) 2-for-4 (.300 BA, .874 OPS)
Bryce Bush (RF) 1-for-4, 2 K (.210 BA, .664 OPS)
Amado Nunez (2B) 1-for-3, K (.205 BA, .568 OPS)
Ramon Beltre (CF) 1-for-3 (.217 BA, .570 OPS)

The GreenJackets took an early 3-0 lead in the second inning, courtesy of a three-run blast by third baseman Orlando Garcia. Another crooked number was applied in the fifth frame against Jason Bilous, who had actually pitched pretty well of late. Unfortunately the gopher ball was the culprit as two blasts tallying five runs provided most of the damage against his offerings. Evidently the last homer, slugged by first sacker Jacob Gonzalez, brought the rain, as a weather delay began at the onset of the sixth inning.

When the game resumed, Wilber Perez shut the door on the GreenJackets by surrendering one baserunner in his three innings. Because of this yeoman work, the rest of the bullpen was able to take a much-needed day off. Aside from a ninth-inning homer by Johan Cruz when the game was well out of reach, the Kannapolis offense didn’t inflict any real damage. All of the other seven hits were singles, and Andrew Vaughn drew the only walk for the Intimidators in the final frame, as the squad fanned 13 times in all. The loss drops the I’s to eight games under .500, at 39-47.

---

Great Falls Voyagers 10, Idaho Falls Chukars 3 (Game 1)

Dan Metzdorf (SP) 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (5.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)
Ramon Pineda (RP) W (2-0), 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2.79 ERA, 0.72 WHIP)
Nick Johnson (RP) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (4.91 ERA, 1.73 WHIP)
Joshua Rivera (2B) 2-for-4, R, 2B (1), K (.231 BA, .644 OPS)
Luis Curbelo (3B) 2-for-4, R, CS (1) (.324 BA, .920 OPS)
Harvin Mendoza (1B) 0-for-3, R, BB (.258 BA, .789 OPS)
Lency Delgado (SS) 1-for-4, R, 2B (5), K, E (.295 BA, .748 OPS)
Jakob Goldfarb (DH) 1-for-3, R, RBI (1), BB (.160 BA, .544 OPS)
Cabera Weaver (CF) 2-for-3, 2 R, BB, K, SB (3) (.271 BA, .689 OPS)
Anderson Comas (RF) 3-for-4, 2 R, 2B (4), 3B (3), 5 RBI (15) (.263 BA, .779 OPS) **MVP**
Kleyder Sanchez (C) 0-for-1, 2 RBI (5), BB, K (.074 BA, .267 OPS)
Cameron Simmons (LF) 1-for-3, R, 2 K (.259 BA, .688 OPS)

The Chukars, who whooped up on the Voyagers last week, scored first against Sox fifth-round pick Dan Metzdorf in the top half of the second. The home squad fought back in the bottom half, however, and scored three courtesy of a passed ball, Anderson Comas RBI double and Kleyder Sanchez sac fly.

The Voyagers tacked on four runs in the fourth, courtesy of a two-run triple by Comas, a wild pitch, and yet another sacrifice fly by Sanchez — which is exactly what you like to see from a young player! In order to keep Metzdorf’s innings down due to a long collegiate season, he was limited to just four frames, but acquitted himself quite nicely with a one-run effort. Idaho Falls did provide a two-out rally off Ramon Pineda in the sixth to tighten the game to 7-3, thanks to a walk and a couple hits.

Just in case the Chukars had any thoughts about coming back, the Voyagers scored three runs in the bottom half of the sixth thanks to an RBI single by 24th round pick Jakob Goldfarb and two-run single by Comas (who had quite the game). Nick Johnson closed the game with a scoreless seventh. With the win, Great Falls improved its record to 8-11.

---

Great Falls Voyagers 9, Idaho Falls Chukars (7), Game 2

Sammy Peralta (SP) 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (0.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP)
Brayan Herrera (RP) 0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (6.52 ERA, 1.71 WHIP)
Connor Reich (RP) W (1-0), 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (5.79 ERA, 1.39 WHIP)
Pauly Milto (RP) SV (1), 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (1.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP)
Kelvin Maldonado (SS) 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 2B (4), K (.275 BA, .648 OPS)
Luis Curbelo (3B) 0-for-2, 2 R, 2 B, 2 K, 2 E (.306 BA, .903 OPS)
Harvin Mendoza (DH) 3-for-3, 2 R, 2 2B (6), HR, 5 RBI (14) (.292 BA, .918 OPS) **MVP**
Luis Mieses (CF) 1-for-3, R, RBI (10), K, E (.302 BA, .720 OPS)
Sam Abbott (1B) 1-for-3, R, HR (3), 2 RBI (10), K, 2 E (.260 BA, .865 OPS)
Anderson Comas (LF) 1-for-3, K (.267 BA, .773 OPS)
Bryan Connell (RF) 1-for-3, K (.091 BA, .258 OPS)
Ty Greene (C) 0-for-3, R (.267 BA, .646 OPS)
Joshua Rivera (2B) 0-for-2, R (.214 BA, .624 OPS)

Sammy Peralta, in his first start of the season, relinquished a run in the first without courtesy of a hit thanks to a walk and an error by first baseman Sam Abbott. The Voyagers immediately fought back, however, thanks in part to a two-run double by sweet-swinging Harvin Mendoza. Immediately after Mendoza got on, Abbott avenged himself by obliterating the next pitch for a two-run, opposite-field homer to put the Voyagers up 4-1. A Luis Mieses single later in the inning provided the Voyagers a nifty 5-1 lead, but one can’t rest to easy in Big Sky Country, where the air is light.

The Voyagers continued their offensive onslaught in the second, and after Joshua Rivera scored on a wild pitch, Mendoza deposited his third homer (a solo shot) beyond the right field fence. How big was that blast? Try 425 feet with an exit velocity of 105 mph. Quite an impressive feat for one who hasn’t yet reached the legal drinking age!

After pitching three innings, Peralta still has yet to relinquish any earned runs and has fanned 17 batters in his 9 ¹⁄₃ innings this year — incredible work indeed! Unfortunately, Brayan Herrera relinquished a solo shot to begin the fourth but looked to get out of the inning relatively unscathed with just one run. Herrera encountered horrendous luck. With one out and a runner on second, Luis Curbelo made a throwing error that put runners on first and third. After a groundout made it 7-3, a two-base error by outfielder Mieses and a subsequent single and double quickly narrowed the gap to 7-6. After another error by Abbott placed the Chukar runners on first and third, Herrera departed—in what should’ve been a relatively comfortable lead, the defense certainly didn’t do any Herrera any favors. At least Connor Reich came in it and finally got the last out of the inning. Moral of the inning — you just can’t give teams six outs and hope to shut your opponent down!

Fortunately, Mendoza came up with two-out, two-on in the bottom half of the fourth and extended the lead to 9-6 with an opposite-field double that plated Cabelo and Greene. In just four innings, his three extra-base knocks provided five runs — not bad at all! Reich returned to pitch the fifth and struck out the side. He probably figured, rightly so, that the best way to avoid any errors is to simply prevent the opponents from hitting the baseball!

What was that I said about getting too comfortable with a lead in Great Falls, well sure enough, Reich did cede one tally in the sixth due to a couple hits and a walk. With that said, he left the sixth with a 9-7 lead which remained until the seventh. Pauly Milto entered the seventh for the save, but naturally, a fielding error by Curbelo (his second, the team’s fifth) with one out put the tying run at the plate. Fortunately, the former Hoosier slammed the door to get the final two outs for his first save of the season. Teams don’t often win by committing five errors resulting in five unearned runs, but the Voyagers found a way. With the sweep, they are now just two games from .500, at 9-11.

---

AZL Rangers 9, AZL White Sox 6

Hector Acosta (SP) 4 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (6.41 ERA, 1.78 WHIP)
Tyson Messer (RP) 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (15.00 ERA, 2.67 WHIP)
Trey Jeans (RP) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (10.80 ERA, 2.70 WHIP)
Declan Cronin (RP) 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (1.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)
Nick Silva (RP) 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (3.86 ERA, 2.14 WHIP)
Misael Gonzalez (CF) 2-for-5, R, 2 K (.213 BA, .494 OPS)
Samil Polanco (2B) 1-for-5, R, K (.227 BA, .568 OPS)
Jose Rodriguez (SS) 0-for-5, 2 K, 2 E (.283 BA, .939 OPS)
D.J. Gladney (3B) 1-for-4, R, BB, K, E (.324 BA, .952 OPS)
Bryan Ramos (DH) 2-for-3, 2 R, HR (3), 3 RBI (8), BB (.373 BA, 1.095 OPS) **MVP**
Jonathan Allen (RF) 1-for-5, R, 2B (6), K (.212 BA, .620 OPS)
Tyler Osik (1B) 2-for-3, 2 RBI (5), BB, E (.279 BA, .682 OPS)
Victor Torres (C) 1-for-4, 2 K, E (.296 BA, .678 OPS)
Anthony Coronado (LF) 1-for-4, K, E (.206 BA, .619 OPS)

This game started ominously as the Sox squad relinquished four runs in the first inning, with none as the result of any particular offense. Infielders Jose Rodriguez and D.J. Gladney both committed errors which directly led to three of the runs, while a double play created a fourth; a passed ball by Victor Torres also didn’t help matters any. Partially as a result of the shoddy play, and the Rangers connecting with some hits to get the rally started, the Sox were behind 4-0 before they even had their turn at bat. That must’ve caused these Sox to quit, right? Au contraire! The bottom of the second saw the good guys plate two, courtesy of a two-run single by 27th round pick Tyler Osik to score Bryan Ramos and Jonathan Allen. Misael Gonzalez scored on a wild pitch in the third to tighten the game to 4-3, and Bryan Ramos hit a three-run moonshot in the fourth to give the Sox a 6-4 lead. Since June 23, all Ramos has done in 31 at-bats is slash .543/.619/.914; saying this 17-year-old is hot is as much an understatement as calling the sun just a warm little orb.

Things looked pretty good until the top of the fifth, when ugly defense again ruined Acosta’s night. With two outs and nobody on, the Rangers were able to get a single prior to another Rodriguez error. Before the inning was over, three unearned runs scored which caused the Sox to fall behind 7-6. Five errors in just four innings, and we’re only down by one run. We’re still in this game, right?

Well, the Rangers scored another unearned in the seventh as a direct result of a Samil Polanco fielding error—the team’s sixth of the game. Two innings later, the Rangers added an insurance runs thanks to a two-out single. Alas, the White Sox were shut down the rest of the way as they succumbed to the Rangers 9-6. Unlike the Great Falls squad, the AZL Sox couldn’t survive the five unearned runs in this game despite the offensive heroics of Bryan Ramos. With the loss, the AZL Sox record fell to 7-10.