Arnie Munoz Winning Streak Halted at 12

By Jason Gage

May 30, 2004

FutureSox.com

 

The Sox best pitching prospect's (with Honel and Wing out) Southern League winning streak came to an end on Saturday when the Jacksonville Suns defeated Munoz and the Barons 3-2.

 

Munoz gave up a run in each of the third, fourth and sixth innings. Munoz still shares the Southern League wins record which sits at 12.

 

Despite the loss, Munoz, 21, is one of the brightest pitching prospects in an organization that lacks starting prospects at the higher levels. This lack of top flight prospects at the higher levels has been shown by the lack of success from the 5th starters in Chicago. Its been from Dan Wright, Felix Diaz and yesterday it was Jon Rauch.

 

Now it may be Munoz who could get the next chance for the White Sox. However, that opportunity is still a little more of a week away as the Sox will not use their fifth starter until June 12th.

 

Despite making only 10 starts in his minor league career, you could say he's ready for the show. He spent last season as one of the youngest players in AAA with the Charlotte Knights. This season he rejoined Birmingham as the Sox made him a starter, not because they thought it was his future, but because it would allow him to focus more on his secondary pitches. Out of the pen Munoz relied heavily on his outstanding curveball.

 

Now Munoz throws a good changeup and slider along with his fastball which is clocked between 86-89 MPH. Munoz future looks bright and surprisingly its as a starter. Some question whether his small frame can handle the heavy workload of a major league starter, but with the way he has pitched (6-1 with a 1.98 ERA), you have to look the other way and expect the best.

 

Other Notes:

Joe Borchard did not play in yesterdays Knights game due to a minor league injury, most likely a hamstring. He was available to pinch hit and is day to day.

6-1 with a 1.98 ERA

Damn, thats lights out..

Good stuff as usual Jason. In my opinion, which means squat lol, is that Arnie is our best pitching prospect even if Wing and Honel were healthy. I'm not too high on Honel, and Wing doesn't have a dominating pitch that Arnue does with the curveball. Arnie has dominated pretty much everywhere he's been, and doing it at a young age for the leagues. With the exception of his start last year, he's been lights out everywhere.

I love Wing's slider, but your right, Munoz is the best in the organization right now and he may just be major league ready. He has AAA experience as a reliever and has been downright nasty as a starter.

 

The Sox should limit his pitch count and watch his innings carefully over the course of the season, but he's a stud.

 

Right now I'd say he's a top 3 prospect in our organization with Reed and Anderson with him and Sweeney just outside.

Yep, Arnie does have alot of innings on his arm already. My top 5 is Reed, Sweeney, Anderson, Munoz, and Robert Valido. My list is based alot on potential as you can see :-). I'm also still excited about Morse, putting up very good numbers at 22 years old in AA. Anyone know if his defense has improved enough to play 3B?

And he will probably be called up as well.

Too bad for Arnie. Espesially since it doesn't sound like he pitched too badly.

Jason, isn't Arnie 22?

 

I'm going totally off of memory here so 21 may be correct but I thought he was an early 1982 b-day.

I hope he stays down at Birmingham or promoted to Charlotte. I don't want to see him in Chicago with 1 day's work of pitchin in 9 games, so that he doesn't pitch well for the White Sox and his confidence is shot.

I thought it was 21, but he may be 22 now. I was going off memory too, thinking he doesn't turn 22 till later in the year.

 

Ok checked, he's 21..turns 22 on June 21st.