Here is the list that just released this morning:

1. Noah Schultz, LHP
2. Colson Montgomery, SS
3. Hagen Smith, LHP
4. Edgar Quero, CA
5. Drew Thorpe, RHP
6. Jairo Iriarte, RHP
7. Grant Taylor, RHP
8. Caleb Bonemer, SS
9. Ky Bush, LHP
10. Mason Adams, RHP

Here is their best tool list:

• Best Hitter for Average: Brooks Baldwin
• Best Power Hitter: George Wolkow
• Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Colson Montgomery
• Fastest Baserunner: Rikuu Nishida
• Best Athlete: Colson Montgomery
• Best Fastball: Noah Schultz
• Best Curveball: Eric Adler
• Best Slider: Noah Schultz
• Best Changeup: Adisyn Coffey
• Best Control: Mason Adams
• Best Defensive Catcher: Edgar Quero
• Best Defensive Infielder: William Bergolla Jr.
• Best Infield Arm: Arxy Hernandez
• Best Defensive Outfielder: Jacob Burke
• Best Outfield Arm: George Wolkow

The Top 10 is pitching heavy as expected, with numerous guys in the majors or very close to being ready.  I think it’s paramount that we avoid adding a mid tier veteran SP this offseason so we don’t end up blocking these kids.  It’s possible or even likely five of these kids make starts for the Sox this year and that’s in addition to Cannon, Martin, Burke and possibly Nastrini or Eder.

Ramos & Wolkow are fairly noticeable omissions from the list.  I think that speaks volume to the jumps Bush & Adams made last year and the high floor they offer.  Anyways, Ramos was a fringe Top 100 guy heading into last season, but his stock certainly took a hit due to his slow start to the year.  Not totally surprising to him fall out of the Top 10.  I am a little surprised that Wolkow didn’t make the cut though.  I get he’s about as the highest variance prospect as they come, but the ceiling is absolutely massive if he reaches it.  I bet he cracks the Top 10 at other publications.

Top 5 are top 100 prospects, no? Unless Thorpe fell off the list due to his injury and performance in the majors.

This has to be a big year for hitting in the minors.  The excuses from the past are worth less and less with every successive day that goes by.  If this rebuild has a chance in the middle term future (3-5 years) we need a recovery from guys like Ramos and Montgomery, and some breakout seasons from the guys with some potential.

2 hours ago, almagest said:

Top 5 are top 100 prospects, no? Unless Thorpe fell off the list due to his injury and performance in the majors.

I’d assume so yes.  The top three are top 50 prospects and Quero is definitely a top 100.  Thorpe was high enough pre injury to probably still be in there, but I guess it’s technically possible all the draft pick additions push him just out.

Adisyn coffee has a better changeup than Thorpe? I find that hard to believe. 

32 minutes ago, Lyle Moooton said:

Adisyn coffee has a better changeup than Thorpe? I find that hard to believe. 

Feels like Thorpe wasn’t factored into the Best Tools list.

I hate that BA includes Thorpe. Nobody else will because he’s not a prospect anymore. Not rookie eligible. 

Surprised to see Grant Taylor so low because some publication (I thought it was BA, but maybe BP?) said Taylor would likely be a top 100 on the next update. That makes he think he should be top 5 on the Sox from that pub.

1 hour ago, ChiliIrishHammock24 said:

Surprised to see Grant Taylor so low because some publication (I thought it was BA, but maybe BP?) said Taylor would likely be a top 100 on the next update. That makes he think he should be top 5 on the Sox from that pub.

I don’t think there’s a lot of separation in that 5-7 area. I am a big believer. I would put Taylor at 5. I also would put Burke and Wolkow in the top 10. Keep in mind, Big George is younger than Bonemer. Hopefully, he starts back in Kanny and gets a chance to find a groove.

11 hours ago, ChiliIrishHammock24 said:

Surprised to see Grant Taylor so low because some publication (I thought it was BA, but maybe BP?) said Taylor would likely be a top 100 on the next update. That makes he think he should be top 5 on the Sox from that pub.

He's a top 100 talent, but he has to be able to stay on the mound.  If he isn't, he doesn't have that value.

They needs bats, I’m expecting this to look totally different going into the season 

5 hours ago, Boopa1219 said:

They needs bats, I’m expecting this to look totally different going into the season 

They also need a LatAm program that contributes anything.  I asked the BA writer if there were any recent signings in the top 30 and he said no.  It’s very possible the only one is Wilfred Veras who we signed in 2019.  Thank god Paddy is finally gone because an org can’t survive long-term with one of its two key pipelines being completely devoid of talent.

7 hours ago, Boopa1219 said:

They needs bats, I’m expecting this to look totally different going into the season 

So was thinking about this further.  The lack of bats in the system is highly problematic.  Obviously BA hasn’t posted their full top 30 list yet, but if I had to guess there will be somewhere between 13 to 15 guys in there.  The problem is isn’t necessarily the sheer number, but rather the limited upside they provide.

I’m not sure that we end up with one single positional star out of the entire farm system as it stands.  If Colson doesn’t return to form to some extent, then the odds are truly stacked against us.  Our best hopes are Wolkow & Bonemer and both guys have a long road ahead before I’d give it even a 10% chance.  It’s why Getz can’t afford to f*** up this Crochet trade and must target quality over quantity.

I'm a bit surprised to see Bonemer that high. Hope they're right.  

What would this look like now? Teel slide in at...2? New Monty at 5?

Edited December 11, 20241 yr by PaleAleSox

1 hour ago, PaleAleSox said:

What would this look like now? Teel slide in at...2? New Monty at 5?

Here’s MLB’s updated list:

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/whitesox

Edited December 12, 20241 yr by WhiteSox2023

12 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Here’s MLB’s updated list:

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/whitesox

Nailed it. This s%*# is easy.

22 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Here’s MLB’s updated list:

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/whitesox

I really want Colson to bounce back and become That Dude again.

1 hour ago, Quin said:

I really want Colson to bounce back and become That Dude again.

Jacob Gonzalez all the way down to #15.

Meidroth acquisition a direct shot across the bow as he profiled more as a 2B in terms of tools.

23 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Jacob Gonzalez all the way down to #15.

Meidroth acquisition a direct shot across the bow as he profiled more as a 2B in terms of tools.

He's lucky to even be at 15 there

10 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

He's lucky to even be at 15 there

Joining the long long line of first round disappointments with only Sale Anderson Rodon (sort of) and Crochet reaching their potential...and whatever you want to consider Burger based on his slot in the first round.

 

At any rate, he's definitely behind Baldwin Meidroth and Bonemer now.

Edited December 13, 20241 yr by caulfield12

I still like Gonzalez. He's still only 22. It's too early to call him a bust. I would bet a large sum that at least 2 of those IF's between 15 and 19 will be MLB regulars. That's a really strong top 20. 

40 minutes ago, TaylorStSox said:

I still like Gonzalez. He's still only 22. It's too early to call him a bust. I would bet a large sum that at least 2 of those IF's between 15 and 19 will be MLB regulars. That's a really strong top 20. 

Major league regulars, or White Sox regulars?

For the White Sox, that means a 1.5 to 2ish fWAR at best.