Our AZL/AFL/Instructs correspondent, Kim Contreras, got to know quite a few of the 2015 draftees this year. She's writing up a full-picture article on three of them, to give you some serious depth into the players and what a rookie pro year is like.

 

First up - RHP Jordan Stephens, 5th round pick. She talked with a ton of people - his high school and college coaches, the scout who got him drafted, Nick Capra and others. It's a long but fun read.

 

She's also doing this on Corey Zangari, and Seby Zavala, in the coming weeks.

 

Our AZL/AFL/Instructs correspondent, Kim Contreras, got to know quite a few of the 2015 draftees this year. She's writing up a full-picture article on three of them, to give you some serious depth into the players and what a rookie pro year is like.

 

First up - RHP Jordan Stephens, 5th round pick. She talked with a ton of people - his high school and college coaches, the scout who got him drafted, Nick Capra and others. It's a long but fun read.

 

She's also doing this on Corey Zangari, and Seby Zavala, in the coming weeks.

 

that was a good article .... someone to keep and eye on.

Thanks for posting this NSS72. The article is very well written by Kim and I really enjoyed it. Sounds like Stephens could be fun to follow next year in his first full season.

Edited December 23, 201510 yr by BlackSox13

Great stuff from Kim, as usual.

Great article, Kim. I feel like I know Jordan.

 

Just wondering, since you saw so many AZL games, how would you compare Jordan to Zach Erwin, the kid we traded to Oakland for Lawrie?

Great article, Kim. I feel like I know Jordan.

 

Just wondering, since you saw so many AZL games, how would you compare Jordan to Zach Erwin, the kid we traded to Oakland for Lawrie?

 

excellent question.

Great article, Kim. I feel like I know Jordan.

 

Just wondering, since you saw so many AZL games, how would you compare Jordan to Zach Erwin, the kid we traded to Oakland for Lawrie?

Kim is rarely on SoxTalk, but you can find her on twitter: @FireLeagueKim. She's very open to conversation there.

 

Speaking of Kim. I found these two videos of Stephens that were taken by her. Well done Kim.

 

Stephens warming up.

 

Stephens pitching to one hitter.

 

That's a pretty nice curve ball Stephens has.

I like this.

 

There is a small circle of the elite leaders in player development. The White Sox Director of Player Development, Nick Capra, is in that select group. His honest and insightful assessment of the skill and make-up of those under his charge earns him respect from far and wide in the baseball world.

 

I distinctly remember watching Stephens’ one and only inning during Instructs with Capra. As Stephens walked off the mound, I asked Nick his thoughts about the former Rice Owl. In true form, Capra replied, “I put him right up there with Fulmer.”

Interesting piece.

 

Thanks for posting.

Really well put together. I don't remember much talk of him last year, but I'm now very intrigued, particularly after reading the same quote ss2k5 posted.

 

Wonder if, as a pitcher coming out of college, he'll get fast tracked a bit.

Really well put together. I don't remember much talk of him last year, but I'm now very intrigued, particularly after reading the same quote ss2k5 posted.

 

Wonder if, as a pitcher coming out of college, he'll get fast tracked a bit.

 

Losing a year to TJS will put him back a bit, but the Sox have shown that if a pitcher is ready, they will move through our system.

Really well put together. I don't remember much talk of him last year, but I'm now very intrigued, particularly after reading the same quote ss2k5 posted.

 

Wonder if, as a pitcher coming out of college, he'll get fast tracked a bit.

 

 

Losing a year to TJS will put him back a bit, but the Sox have shown that if a pitcher is ready, they will move through our system.

 

I'd say he'll be probably be at Kanny (Class A) to start 2016, though it's possible he skips to A+. No chance he goes back to rookie ball at 23 years old.