Chicago White Sox: 4 Potential Breakout Candidates to Watch in Spring Training

When talking about breakout candidates for the Chicago White Sox, names like Carlos Rodon, Francellis Montas, Carlos Sanchez and Micah Johnson are the names most often mentioned. After all, each of them is in the conversation for an Opening Day roster spot or is expected to be on the 25-man roster in a short amount of time.

What about other players with spring training invitations? Who among them can fast track their advancement through the minor leagues or position themselves for a promotion this season with a stellar effort this spring?

That’s what we are going to take a look at.

To be sure, there are many names that bear mentioning, but we will keep this list pointed, focusing on two pitchers and two position players. Each can accomplish something a bit different with an eye-opening performance in Glendale, Arizona.

As a side note, we will also stay away from guys who have past major league experience. Instead, we will focus on players who have never made it above Double-A. That should make things a bit more interesting.

Here are four candidates who have the potential to break out this spring for the White Sox.

Tim Anderson, SS

The only guy on this list that likely won’t see any action in the big leagues this season is shortstop Tim Anderson.  That doesn’t mean that he’s not capable of having a breakout-caliber spring.

Consider: Even though he is highly ranked by every major publication, including MLB.com (No. 2), Baseball America (No. 2) and BaseballProspectus.com (No. 1), Anderson has yet to test his mettle against major league pitching. This will be his first exposure.

True, he spent time in the Arizona Fall League this past season, posting a .235/.316/.588 slash line with two home runs in 19 at-bats, but he has never faced the type of talent he will in the coming weeks.

Now, the White Sox have been aggressive with Anderson since selecting him in the first round in 2013, immediately placing him at Single-A Kannapolis in his first season of professional ball. That was followed by 345 plate appearances between High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham last year.

The larger point here is that if Anderson shines this spring, his time at Double-A this year could be limited as the White Sox will be keen on getting him as many at-bats at Triple-A as possible before ascending to the big leagues at some point during the 2016 season.

If, however, Anderson is wholly overmatched during spring training, his stay at Birmingham could be a season-long endeavor.

Either way, Anderson is the most intriguing middle infield prospect the White Sox have had for some time. And while this spring isn’t a make-or-break one by any means, a solid showing could dictate the path and pace of his development.

Tyler Danish, SP

Tyler Danish has a chance to put himself on track for a September call-up with an exceptional performance this spring.

He has made that much progress since being a second-round selection out of high school in 2013. From Baseball America’s John Manuel (subscription required):

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He’s physically maxed-out and pitches with a low arm slot that his present strength allows him to repeat while staying on top of the ball, driving it down in the strike zone. He gets extension out front that helps his 88-93 mph sinker and upper-70s slider have late life. He locates both pitches well, allowing him to rack up impressive groundball rates. His changeup, a below-average pitch as an amateur, now ranks as the best in the organization, flashing above-average.

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Another thing to keep in mind is that Danish “pounds the strike zone with four pitches,” according to White Sox director of player development Nick Capra. It is that combination—stuff and ability to locate—that gives Danish a real shot at making an impact in the big leagues this season as a reliever.

Expect Danish to get an extended look early on this spring before being assigned to minor league camp. It is up to him to make the most of it. 

Trayce Thompson, OF

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Simply put, Trayce Thompson's career to this point has been defined by potential—not necessarily results.

Sure, he’s hit 31 home runs with 57 doubles and 45 stolen bases over the past two seasons at Double-A, but he’s also amassed 290 strikeouts over that stretch and hasn’t finished with an on-base percentage above .324.

As a result, guys like J.B. Shuck and Michael Taylor are ahead of him on the depth chart. And given Thompson’s arm, raw power and speed, that should not be the case. From the folks over at MLB.com:

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…Thompson is an outfielder with all-around ability who still has to prove he can produce consistently at the plate. Thompson has bat speed, and he is willing to work counts, though his swing gets long and he can get too passive. Thompson strikes out too much to hit for a high average, but he is capable of contributing in all of the other phases of the game.

Thompson's quick bat and long levers give him above-average raw power. He runs well for a big man, and he has an average arm, which allows him to play all three outfield positions.

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Now, Thompson isn’t battling for a roster spot to start the season. Rather, a breakout performance this spring could give him an edge over Taylor when general manager Rick Hahn is invariably forced to go to the well in order to fill a hole on the 25-man roster during the regular season.

Conversely, a miserable showing will have an equally damaging impact. Simply put, this is Thompson’s seventh year in the organization. Without immediate results, protection on the 40-man roster cannot be guaranteed. 

The time is now for Thompson to move past potential and take the next step.

Nolan Sanburn, RHP

A second-round pick in 2012, Nolan Sanburn came over in the deal that sent Adam Dunn to the Oakland A’s. It could end up being a fine pickup for the White Sox.

Here is a brief rundown on the right-hander from John Sickels, who writes for SB Nation’s Minor League Ball:

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Sanburn is listed at 6-0, 175, born July 21, 1991. A former shortstop, he's a fine athlete with a quick arm, up to 96 MPH on his best days and consistently at 93-94. He also has a very good curveball, a workable slider, and a better change-up than most relievers. His arsenal is diverse and he usually throws strikes, but a history of shoulder soreness has prevented use as a starter thus far in professional ball.

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The shoulder soreness Sickels mentioned forced Sanburn to miss most of the 2013 season, but he showed real promise last year at High-A, striking out 73 batters in 71.0 innings pitched. True, he struggled with control, issuing 3.2 walks every nine innings, but with his repertoire, Sanburn has a real future as a reliever.

With a strong spring, he can easily vault up the chain of relievers who are next in line should someone in the majors get injured of fail to meet expectations. Expect Sanburn to see action in almost every scenario during spring training as the front office and coaching staff gauge which situation he is best suited for.

As it stands, he’d make a fine low-leverage reliever who is capable of logging extra innings in long relief. That said, he has the velocity and movement necessary to shine in eighth inning.

Unless otherwise noted, all traditional and advanced statistics are courtesy of FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference.com. Transaction information is courtesy of MLB.com.

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