Heads22 Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 2004 Spring Training Analysis: The Fifth Starter By Andrew Dunn (DBAH0) February 22, 2004 FutureSox.com This week the Chicago White Sox began Spring Training at Tucson Electric Park in Arizona. In the first of our three roster previews here at FutureSox.com, we take a look at the minor league prospects in the White Sox’ system who have a chance at making the starting rotation up in Chicago. Jon Rauch Jon Rauch joined the Chicago White Sox as the 99th pick in the third-round of the 1999 amateur draft from Oldham County. Rauch was named the 2000 minor league pitcher of the year after posting an 11-3 record in Winston-Salem and a 5-1 record with the Birmingham Barons. However, in 2001 and 2002, Rauch had arm problems that severely disrupted his performances in Charlotte. In 2002 he pitched briefly for the White Sox, posting a 2-1 record with a 6.59 ERA in eight appearances. Rauch enjoyed a better 2003 season in Charlotte with a 7-1 record, 4.11 ERA and 94/35 K/BB ratio. With one minor-league optoin left, Rauch is a serious contender and considered by many to be the favorite for the fifth spot in the White Sox’ rotation. Neal Cotts Neal Cotts arrived in Chicago in 2003 as part of the Billy Koch–Keith Foulke trade with the Oakland Athletics. A graduate of Illinois State University, Cotts was a second-round pick (69th overall) in the 2001 amateur draft. Cotts emerged this year for Birmingham (AA) as one of Chicago’s most valuable pitching prospects, posting a 9-7 record with a 2.16 ERA and 133 strikeouts. Called up by Chicago for the stretch run, Cotts struggled in his four appearances with the White Sox where he suffered control problems. In those four outings, he went 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA and a 10/17 K/BB ratio. Cotts attended the Arizona Fall League this off-season and pitched with mixed results, compiling a 4.64 ERA and a 19/8 K/BB ratio. Cotts doesn’t have a terrific fastball but he can outmatch hitters and keep them off balance by changing speeds with his curveball and changeup. He is also learning a cutter, the pitch that worked so well for Esteban Loaiza in 2003. Although a top contender for final spot, it is a more likely scenario Cotts will start the year in Charlotte and be called up later if he progresses. He has the potential to be a #2 or #3 starter if he can sort out his control issues. Enemencio Pacheco Enemencio Pacheco joined the Chicago White Sox in 2002 as part of the Sandy Alomar Jr. deal with the Colorado Rockies, where he was signed as an undrafted free agent from the Dominican Republic in 1997. Pacheco burst onto the scene in Birmingham last season with a 12-2 record and a 2.56 ERA, to go with a 116/51 K/BB ratio. Pacheco is not considered to be a top prospect in the system due to his age (25); however, a good spring training could land him in the rotation like Josh Stewart did last season. He is more likely to begin the season in Charlotte – as he is a little raw, but a call-up sometime during the 2004 season is certainly not out of the question. Felix Diaz Diaz was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 1998 as a 17-year-old from the Dominican Republic and became part of the White Sox organization in 2002 after being involved in the Kenny Lofton trade with the Giants. Diaz was with the Barons in 2002 and with the Charlotte Knights in 2003, where he went 5-7 with a 3.97 ERA and an 83/33 K/BB ratio. Diaz has excellent arm strength with a 94-96 mph fastball, and an excellent changeup, but his breaking pitches (slider and curveball) still need a lot of work. Diaz is a sleeper for the fifth starter position, although a little more time in Charlotte wouldn’t hurt. Jason Grilli Jason Grilli, out of Seton Hall, was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the first-round of the 2003 Rule V Draft. He was once considered to be a top-notch prospect after being the fourth pick in the 1997 amateur draft by the San Francisco Giants. He joined the Florida Marlins in 1999 after being part of the Livan Hernandez deal. He never was part of Florida pitching staff, however, as his career has been affected by injuries. Grilli, 27, posted a 6-2 record with a 3.37 ERA, but he had a poor 38/30 K/BB ratio. Once compared to Matt Morris, Grilli has pitched long enough to develop his control and command. However, the White Sox still believe they can make a pitcher out of Grilli, paying $50,000 to select him. He could be an interesting reclamation project for Don Cooper to work, but he is more likely to start the year in Charlotte or pitch out of the pen. Josh Stewart Stewart was the 159th selection out of the fifth round in the 1999 amateur draft after being selected by the White Sox out of the University of Memphis. Stewart has been in the minor league system for five years now and has enjoyed his best season in 2002 with the Birmingham Barons, compiling an 11-7 record and a 3.53 ERA with a 92/56 K/BB ratio. After a strong spring training in 2003, Stewart was chosen to start the season in Chicago as the fifth starter, beating out names like Jon Rauch. Stewart didn’t have much success for the White Sox after being struck by a ball in the chest in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. He did not pitch again for the year. Stewart had a 1-2 record with a 5.96 ERA for the White Sox. He has been invited to spring training, which is good news for his condition. Despite his experience over the others, Stewart will probably start the year in Charlotte so he can get some innings under his belt and build up his stamina. Potential Midseason Contributor – Ryan Wing Ryan Wing, from Riverside Community College, was selected by the Chicago White Sox as the 71st pick in the second-round in the 2001 amateur draft. Wing has only been pitching in the minor leagues for two years. Last season with Winston-Salem, he posted a 9-7 record and a 2.98 ERA with a 107/67/K/BB ratio. Wing is one of the best pitching prospects in the White Sox’ system, but it is way too early to see him pitching for the White Sox in April. If he pitches well in Birmingham however, he could move up very quickly like Neal Cotts did and potentially make an appearance sometime this season. Other Contenders: Dan Wright, Carlos Castillo, Francisco Campos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Rauch's contract was purchased by the Sox on 11/20/2001 meaning the Sox used options on him in 2002 and 2003, leaving him with one option currently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Corrected that part, thanks for pointing it out. Great stuff DBAHO My personal feelings are that the Sox 5th spot comes down to Danny Wright, Jon Rauch and Jason Grilli. I think with Scho as the 4th starter that the Sox will put Cotts in AAA where he can harness his control and continue working on the cutter and if anyone goes down, I think he's the best option. I'd probably say Wright is the frontrunner if he is healthy, but he may be out of the Sox plans and they may already have him penciled in as a reliever, in which cause I'd say Rauch and Grilli would be the favorites. I don't have much faith in Rauch, although his curve looked good a few two years ago when he was a late season call up. If he is healthy and has good control, he could end up doing well. Of course the curve is a tough pitch to throw in Arizona and it could lead to him getting lit up, which seems to happen to Sox pitchers every spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we do not keep Grilli on the 25-man all year, do we not send him back to Florida for $25,000? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we do not keep Grilli on the 25-man all year, do we not send him back to Florida for $25,000? U r rite witesoxfan, Players selected must remain on the 25-man active roster or the disabled list for all of 2004 or be offered back to their former teams for $25,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we do not keep Grilli on the 25-man all year, do we not send him back to Florida for $25,000? If the Sox want to send him to AAA, the following will happen. 1. He will be placed on waivers and any club can claim him, but he would have to be kept on that club's active MLB roster. 2. If he is not claimed, he either has to be offered back to his original club (Marlins) for $25,0000, half the original price the Sox paid to get him. They can also try and work out a trade with the Marlins, sending them someone in order to keep his rights and send him to AAA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 I can't see Cotts in the rotation. He seems kind of similar to Scho to me, at this point of his career. I don't know either of them well enough though, so I very well could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we do not keep Grilli on the 25-man all year, do we not send him back to Florida for $25,000? Yep, thats how it works. That or the Sox can send them a player. The Sox pay 50,000 to select him and if they don't keep him, then they only pay 25,000. My guess is the Sox keep him out of spring training if he shows much of anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 I'm rooting for stewart to win the spot. I think good things can come out of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 I'm rooting for stewart to win the spot. I think good things can come out of him. If he has a good spring training it certainly ain't out of the question. Having experience pitching with Chicago will help him big time too. He's the wild card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 I gotta think the Sox are going to take things slow with Stewart, but thats just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diehardmouse Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 I would love to see Danny Wright come back to his 2002 form when he won 14 games. I think his injury last year was more severe than was reported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 It is interesting that no one in the media or organization, except Kenny Williams, has mentioned Danny Wright. I wonder if the guy has a real chance or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 If he comes out throwing well, I guarantee you he will get a strong look. Although I think Schoenweis has an edge on the 4th spot, I think both spots are wide open and will go to the best two. All things equal, I believe Schoenweis gets the nod, however. If two pitchers don't step up, I would not be shocked to see a trade made in ST. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wong & Owens Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 It is interesting that no one in the media or organization, except Kenny Williams, has mentioned Danny Wright. I wonder if the guy has a real chance or not. The guy's a 2-pitch pitcher. Can you name ANY solid MLB starters that only have two effective pitches? They should move him to the pen, unless he's picked up a cutter or something since last season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillieHarris2 Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 i think danny wright is fine in the pen because when he started last year he got lit up a couple of times in starts he was 0-7 with a 6.85 era. out of the pen he was 1-0 with a 3.24 era i definetly think danny belongs in the pen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 As long as Danny is healthy, I think he will be sucessful either way. I do think he has the ability to be a lights out reliever though. I also think he has the stamina to be a horse of a starter, but he'll have to develop extra pitches, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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