Organization Ranking: 12
I've ranked every farm system, as well as the top 100 MLB prospects for 2015. Below, I've ranked at least the top 10 prospects, plus an overview of the system and any other names of note beyond the top 10. I also discuss any prospects who might help the big league club in 2015, one or two prospects whose stock has taken a big hit in the past year, and a sleeper prospect who I think can jump into the main top-100 list for 2016.
Non-Insider subscribers: Check out the free Tampa Bay Rays top-10 prospects report to see what these entail.
Top 10 prospects
1. Carlos Rodon, LHP
2. Tim Anderson, SS
3. Spencer Adams, RHP
4. Francelis Montas, RHP
5. Micah Johnson, 2B
6. Matt Davidson, 3B
7. Trey Michalczewski, 3B
8. Tyler Danish, RHP
9. Micker Adolfo, OF
10. Courtney Hawkins, OF
Overview
If nothing else, the Rick Hahn era on the South Side will feature better farm systems -- the White Sox are already drafting better and trading smarter than they did under the previous regime, and it even looks like they'll be more adventurous on the international amateur front as well. The result is the strongest this system has looked since I started ranking systems but still very top-heavy with five or six guys who could really make a significant impact for the major league team.
Montas just missed the top 100; a starter who can hit 100 mph is hard to overlook -- he hit 102 mph in instructional league -- but the other elements are a bit behind, from the secondary stuff (the slider is good, the change not so much) to the command to the fact that he's a big-bodied 20-year-old who's already had two knee injuries. He could be a 220-inning beast; he could be Aroldis Chapman; he could walk 100 guys next year or have continued problems with his knees (I hope not, obviously). Johnson will probably make the top 100 next year if he still qualifies. He had hamstring problems for much of 2014, so he didn't get to make the defensive improvements at second base we'd hoped for. He makes a lot of hard contact with some uphill to his swing path, but given his speed, he's losing out on potential value by not working the count more. Davidson's atrocious 2014 season was inexplicable -- it wasn't his first year in Triple-A and he wasn't hurt -- but given his history and his still-sound swing, I still think he'll have major league value as an everyday third baseman or a backup infielder/pinch hitter.
Michalczewski, an overslot pick in the seventh round in 2013, had a solid first full season for a 19-year-old who split time with football in high school. He's a true switch-hitter with similar swings on both sides of the plate, runs average to a tick above and has the arm and hands for third base. The White Sox will have to work on his footwork at third, getting him into better position on balls hit at him. His swings and frame point to at least above-average power as long as he can improve his approach. Danish had amazing results in his first full season but threw 90-92 mph from a very low arm slot with a good changeup and below-average slider. You just don't see starters with that arm slot or delivery, and he seems far more likely to end up in relief than in the rotation. Hawkins was better his second time around the Carolina League, but his high-energy approach still worked against him. When he learns he doesn't have to try to hit everything 500 feet, he'll start to see his strikeout rate drop and his average climb. He can do it, as he showed this year with men in scoring position, but when he doesn't bear down like that, he'll cut through fastballs up and chase breaking balls down until the sun swallows the earth.
Cleuluis Rondon (11) is a wizard at shortstop -- one of the best defenders I've seen in the minors in the past few years, both in tools and instincts -- but right now, I'd bet on utility infielder upside because I don't know if he's going to hit enough to play every day, even as a potential 80-grade fielder. Right-handers Chris Beck (13) and Nolan Sanburn (14) project as good setup men in the majors, Beck with a big fastball and a plus change, Sanburn with a power breaking ball that will miss some big league bats. I'm very curious to see what right-hander Adam Lopez can do if healthy; he missed nearly all of 2014 with knee and elbow injuries.
2015 impact
Johnson or Carlos Sanchez (12) could win the second-base job in spring training or during the season. Sanchez is probably an ideal utility infielder, as he has some feel to hit but no real above-average tools. Trayce Thompson (15) might get some time in the majors because he can play plus defense in center, but he's 200 strikeouts waiting to happen if he plays every day.
The fallen
Erik Johnson was their top prospect last year and made the White Sox rotation out of spring training, though he lost the job by the end of April because he lost about four mph off his fastball and tried to get by with a cutter and failed even in Triple-A, at which his season ended in August due to a sore shoulder.
Sleeper
Micker Adolfo got $1.6 million from the Sox in 2013 in their biggest signing since the David Wilder scandal brought down their international scouting group, and he has the tools to back it up -- a 70 or better arm with 60 raw power right now, along with average speed. He can look like a fawn still growing into its legs, very gangly and wiry but clearly going to be very strong when he hits his 20s. He has a long way to go as a baseball player -- especially in his relationship with the strike zone -- but if he can keep his strikeouts in check, he has 30-homer potential.