Andy is 24 years old and just posted an .860 OPS in Birmingham before his promotion to Charlotte. His season in AA last year was a bit disappointing with a .239 BA and .760 OPS. He isn't known to be a supremely talented prospect, but he is certainly talented enough. He has 25-30 HR potential over a full season it seems, which isn't a ton but isn't exactly Kotchman/Loney territory power-wise.

 

He isn't a high strikeout guy and draws walks at a nice rate. He also has produced doubles at a good rate, 33 and 28 over 134 and 116 games the pas two seasons. He has posted a .711 OPS against lefties in his career and .830 OPS against lefties in AA this year.

 

What do you guys think? He's been just okay in AAA through 12 games, but he has to have a chance to get a few MLB at-bats as the season progresses if the chips fall in his favor.

I wouldn't bet on it.

 

The guy in AAA that is coming out of nowhere is Andre Rienzo. He's been lighting up AAA over his last 10 starts.

Andy is 24 years old and just posted an .860 OPS in Birmingham before his promotion to Charlotte. His season in AA last year was a bit disappointing with a .239 BA and .760 OPS. He isn't known to be a supremely talented prospect, but he is certainly talented enough. He has 25-30 HR potential over a full season it seems, which isn't a ton but isn't exactly Kotchman/Loney territory power-wise.

 

He isn't a high strikeout guy and draws walks at a nice rate. He also has produced doubles at a good rate, 33 and 28 over 134 and 116 games the pas two seasons. He has posted a .711 OPS against lefties in his career and .830 OPS against lefties in AA this year.

 

What do you guys think? He's been just okay in AAA through 12 games, but he has to have a chance to get a few MLB at-bats as the season progresses if the chips fall in his favor.

He's the classic example of "eventually the numbers will tell us". If he earns a callup and can hit, great. He puts up a mid -.800's OPS at Charlotte and he'll get himself a shot somewhere

Not betting on Wilkins or Black.

 

They have the look of the classic tweener/AAAA guys that play until 30-35 years old with about 100 big league AB's.

 

 

Not betting on Wilkins or Black.

 

They have the look of the classic tweener/AAAA guys that play until 30-35 years old with about 100 big league AB's.

 

Black is 26, in AA, and a 14th rounder. He's been old at every level he's played and I don't think we should think about him and Wilkins the same way. They very well may both wash out, but Wilkins is a lot closer to being a legitimate prospect IMO

Black is 26, in AA, and a 14th rounder. He's been old at every level he's played and I don't think we should think about him and Wilkins the same way. They very well may both wash out, but Wilkins is a lot closer to being a legitimate prospect IMO

 

 

I'll give you that much.

 

Black isn't very mobile...I haven't been super impressed with his defense in the recent games I've watched at milbtv.com.

Black is 26, in AA, and a 14th rounder. He's been old at every level he's played and I don't think we should think about him and Wilkins the same way. They very well may both wash out, but Wilkins is a lot closer to being a legitimate prospect IMO

 

I agree, I've seen him put ahead of Wilkins on a couple of occasions here, and I don't understand it.

I would be shocked if we ever see Andy Wilkins in a White Sox jersey.

I wouldn't bet on it.

 

The guy in AAA that is coming out of nowhere is Andre Rienzo. He's been lighting up AAA over his last 10 starts.

 

Yep, he is a guy we may see in Chicago this year.

Yep, he is a guy we may see in Chicago this year.

 

Might come up once the relievers start to disappear

Might come up once the relievers start to disappear

 

I would bet he would be the next starter after Erik Johnson (assuming he isn't out too long).

I would bet he would be the next starter after Erik Johnson (assuming he isn't out too long).

 

I would agree with that, but I don't think we're getting that deep into our starters at the MLB level

I would agree with that, but I don't think we're getting that deep into our starters at the MLB level

 

It wouldn't shock me if both Peavy and Danks got moved.

At some point, you say "what the hell, why not?" with Castro and Rienzo taking some of Axelrod's starts.

 

Why not? What's the worst thing that could happen? Everyone has them already pegged as candidates for the 2014 bullpen, anyway.

It wouldn't shock me if both Peavy and Danks got moved.

 

Axe and Johnson?

Axe and Johnson?

 

Castro/Rienzo and Johnson (depending on the severity of the groin pull, and no purpose to rush him back when they can throw someone like Berken or Zach Stewart out there until he's 100%)

I would be highly surprised if we ditch Axe completely even after trading away two starters

Black is 26, in AA, and a 14th rounder. He's been old at every level he's played and I don't think we should think about him and Wilkins the same way. They very well may both wash out, but Wilkins is a lot closer to being a legitimate prospect IMO

Paul Goldschmidt was also old at every level. That's what happens when a player goes to college for 4 years.

Paul Goldschmidt was also old at every level. That's what happens when a player goes to college for 4 years.

 

Ideally, a college player (remember, they can go into the draft after 3 years, too) would be in AA at age 22-23-24.

 

Once you get to be older than 26, you rapidly begin losing prospect status. Doesn't mean he can't or won't make it, just that the odds are not in his favor, either.

Paul Goldschmidt was also old at every level. That's what happens when a player goes to college for 4 years.

 

Yet Goldschmidt is a year younger than Dan Black and playing his third MLB season

I would be shocked if we ever see Andy Wilkins in a White Sox jersey.

 

Prepare to be shocked then, he's made a very steady and deliberate climb through the system, possesses a set of valuable skills and will most likely earn a september call up this season if not next. He's put up solid enough numbers to warrant getting a chance to see if he can stick and be a bat off the bench or perhaps a fill in 1B.

Prepare to be shocked then, he's made a very steady and deliberate climb through the system, possesses a set of valuable skills and will most likely earn a september call up this season if not next. He's put up solid enough numbers to warrant getting a chance to see if he can stick and be a bat off the bench or perhaps a fill in 1B.

 

I agree. Whether he sticks in the MLB is anybody's guess, but the smart odds are on him donning a White Sox uni for some amount of time.

I agree. Whether he sticks in the MLB is anybody's guess, but the smart odds are on him donning a White Sox uni for some amount of time.

 

 

He's got 2 positions, 1B and DH.

 

They're more likely to use Viciedo, Dunn, Keppinger, DeAza, etc., there.

 

Just don't see it. The odds seem higher that/for 1) Viciedo will move, 2) FA/offseason move, or 3) trade from July or offseason.

 

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see Phegley or Flowers get a look there (1B/DH) to get some extra AB's as well.

 

A lot depends on if Konerko is traded/retires, of course.

Much can change. If he ends up with an .850 OPS in AAA like he has posted at every other level, they'll find him some at bats. It would surprise me if he isn't at least watching games with the big club in September.

He's got 2 positions, 1B and DH.

 

They're more likely to use Viciedo, Dunn, Keppinger, DeAza, etc., there.

 

Just don't see it. The odds seem higher that/for 1) Viciedo will move, 2) FA/offseason move, or 3) trade from July or offseason.

 

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see Phegley or Flowers get a look there (1B/DH) to get some extra AB's as well.

 

A lot depends on if Konerko is traded/retires, of course.

 

This is exactly it. He has a big burden to overcome to make it from being a minor league 1B.