Stock Up, Stock Down for Chicago White Sox's Top 10 Prospects for Week 2

The Chicago White Sox farm system is coming on strong.

Two years ago, the club's minor league ranks were largely bereft of talent. This season? Guys like Carlos Rodon, Tim Anderson, Frankie Montas and Spencer Adams rank at the top of the list and represent a bright future on the South Side.

So how have the top 10 prospects fared in the first week of the 2015 season?

Well, this is the first in a series of pieces that will look at which direction the stock for the White Sox’s top 10 prospects—per MLB.com—is heading: up, down or holding steady.

To be sure, it's early, and their production to this point may not be indicative of where each player will end the season, but they are worth looking at.

*Micah Johnson ranks as the White Sox's No. 5 prospect but is currently on the 25-man roster. The No. 11 prospect is included to take his place. All statistics are accurate as of game time on Wednesday, April 15.

11. Matt Davidson, 3B

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week’s Stats: .208/.240/.375, HR, 3 RBI, 10 K

After putting up a .199/.283/.375 slash line with 20 home runs and 164 strikeouts in 2014, Matt Davidson’s weaknesses were on full display. He simply didn’t have the plate discipline to make the most of his considerable power.

And while his slash line isn’t any better to this point in 2015, he is turning heads so far this season. The folks over at FutureSox.com, for example, noted earlier this week that he is making “solid contact,” taking the ball the other way and also playing better in the field.

Truthfully, the stretches last season where similar statements could be made about Davidson were few, the fact that he is off to that type of start this year bodes well for his development.

And make no mistake, the White Sox need to find a answer at third base as soon as possible. Not that Conor Gillaspie is terrible by any stretch, but he is not the long-term solution. It would be fantastic if the guy the club received from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Addison Reed two offseasons ago ended up being the fix.

Stock: Even

10. Carlos Sanchez, 2B

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week’s Stats: .429/.429/.571, 2 2B

After making the Opening Day roster thanks the Chris Sale’s injury and the corresponding ability to carry an extra position player, Carlos Sanchez was optioned to Triple-A and promptly went to work, collecting six hits in his first three games at Triple-A.

To say it was unexpected would be disingenuous, of course. After all, he slashed out at .425/.489/.425 with six RBI during spring training. He also hit .293 with a .761 OPS at Triple-A last season, earning a permanent promotion to the active roster on Aug. 22.

In other words, Sanchez is certainly ready to be an everyday second baseman.

The only problem is that Micah Johnson has more speed and is a better left-handed hitter (Sanchez is a switch-hitter), meaning that the White Sox will see if his bat can offset poor defense at the major league level.

If Johnson struggles offensively, however, you can expect Sanchez to be the first one tapped as his replacement.

Stock: Up

9. Courtney Hawkins, LF

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week’s Stats: .190/.227/.381, HR, 2 RBI, 2B, 9 K 

After putting on a show during spring training (.412/.429/.853, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 3 2B), Courtney Hawkins struggled during his first week at Double-A Birmingham, striking out at least twice in each of his first four games. He did end the week well, however, going 3-for-8 with a home run on Sunday and Monday.

Either way, there are legitimate reasons to believe that Hawkins is poised to deliver on the talent that made him a first-round selection in 2012.

As MLB.com noted, he made significant strides from 2013 to 2014, responding “with a more balanced and disciplined approach and did a better job of recognizing pitches. His right-handed swing looked smoother and handsier than ever, and he didn't get consumed by trying to hit homers.”

The importance of those improvements cannot be overstated. And as things stand, he appears to either be in line for a spot in the outfield toward the end of next season or by 2017, at the latest. Not that it will be with the White Sox, of course, but that is the direction he is trending.

Stock: Down

8. Trey Michalczewski, 3B

Last Week’s Stats: .174/.269/.174, 3 RBI, 4 H, 8 K, 3 BB

Last week was a rather forgettable one for Trey Michalczewski. Other than a two-out, run-scoring single against the Potomac Nationals and three RBI, his week consisted of uneven plate appearances and poor defense.

That said, Michalczewski has a bright future. He possesses fine range defensively, can hit for power and “shows a willingness to use the entire field, and he has the bat speed and strength to hit 20 home runs per season in his prime,” per MLB.com.

True, a ceiling of 20 home runs per year isn’t an ideal scenario for a third baseman, but if he can leverage his athleticism and improve his ability to reach base, he will fit in at the top of the order nicely. Of course, that won’t be for a few years, but he’s young and time is on his side—for the moment.

Stock: Down

7. Tyler Danish, RHP

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week’s Stats: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, ER, 3 K, BB

With the Birmingham Barons winless after two games, Tyler Danish took the mound against the Mobile BayBears, aiming to be the club’s first pitcher to notch a victory. He did just that, scattering five hits across his five innings. He looked sharp throughout.

To be sure, there are those who doubt his ability to impact a starting rotation, but there is no mistaking the fact that he has the stuff to be successful. According to MLB.com:

"

Danish's low arm slot and his extension impart exceptionally heavy sink on his fastball, which plays much tougher than its normal 88-92 mph velocity and can reach 95. His changeup dives at the plate as well, and his slider has good bite when he stays on top of it.

Some scouts look at Danish's smallish build, arm angle and the effort in his delivery and wonder how he'll hold up as a starter. His backers note that he repeats his mechanics well and throws strikes, seeing a bulldog in the mold of Jake Peavy.

"

The first part of that last line is what will be watched this season. If Danish can continue to repeat his mechanics and pound the zone, he could be on the fast track to Triple-A. If, however, he begins to exhibit signs on inconsistency, a full season with the Barons seems likely.

Stock: Up

6. Micker Adolfo, 1B

Last Week’s Stats: Did not play

For those who are not familiar with the name Micker Adolfo, the White Sox signed him in 2013 and gave him a $1.6 million bonus as the No. 2 international prospect. It took a full year before he made his debut in the Arizona Rookie League last season.

And as a 17-year-old, he did not disappoint, hitting 10 doubles with five home runs and 21 RBI over 179 at-bats. As reported by MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, general manager Rick Hahn said, “To do what he did at age 17, I think that's very impressive."

Expect for more time to be spent on developing pitch recognition in rookie ball so that he can maximize his considerable raw power.

As far as a timetable goes for when he will begin his career in the majors, one does not exist. As Merkin added, “There should still be a couple of years ahead of Adolfo before he even gets to the Carolina League with Class-A Winston-Salem.”

Stock: Even

4. Spencer Adams, RHP

Last Week’s Stats: 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 2.000 WHIP, ER, 2 K, BB

Spencer Adams had mixed results in his first start of the season.

See, he only gave up one run over four innings and only walked one batter, but he needed to pitch out of trouble often, allowing two baserunners per frame. He allowed a .368 batting average against. True, it was one game, but that's all we're looking at right now.

On the whole though, MLB.com writes that Adams has a “high floor to go with his lofty ceiling,” and there is little doubt that with a plus fastball, solid slider and an already-there bender, the sky is the limit.

Expect Adams’ innings count to be kept down throughout the season as he works on refining his secondary offerings. As manager Tommy Thompson said, “We’re going to have to protect him and how much he throws,” as reported by the Salisbury Post’s Adam Houston.

Stock: Even

3. Francellis Montas, RHP

Last Week's Stats: 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 0.375 WHIP, 5.1 IP, ER, 8 K, 2 BB

Like others on this list, Frankie Montas had an impressive start to the 2015 season. In his one outing, he held the Mobile BayBears hitless over 5.1 innings, surrendering one earned run when a walk in the sixth scored on a triple after he’d been pulled for a reliever.

Acquired in the trade that sent Jake Peavy to the Boston Red Sox in 2013, there is a future in the big leagues for Montas. From MLB.com’s Prospect Watch:

"

Montas continues to bring the heat, working at 93-97 mph, peaking at 102 and imparting some sink and cut on his fastball. His mid-80s slider can reach 88 mph and be a well above-average pitch at its best, though it also flattens out and gets hittable. Likewise, he can show feel for a changeup with fade at times but have the pitch look like a batting-practice fastball at times.

Built more like a young Bartolo Colon than his generously listed weight of 185 pounds would suggest, Montas has cleaned up his delivery and done a better job of throwing strikes since changing organizations. Provided that he continues to make improvements and gains more consistency, he could be a No. 2 starter. If he doesn't, he could wind up as a reliever, albeit with the upside of a closer.

"

With a 70 fastball and a 60 slider, the chances that he makes a meaningful contribution on the South Side this season are high, although it will be in the bullpen. That said, the White Sox will continue to develop him as a starting pitcher until he is needed on the 25-man roster.

Stock: Up

2. Tim Anderson, SS

John Locher/Associated Press

Last Week’s Stats: .381/.364/.524, 2B, 3B, 5 RBI, 2 SB

Tim Anderson had quite a week at Double-A Birmingham. He looked sharp at the plate, delivering a walk-off single against the Mobile BayBears, and he started two solid double plays in his five games.

All told, he showed no slowdown from last season when he put up a .303/.328/.481 slash line with 21 doubles and 40 RBI over 347 at-bats across three levels.

As the heir apparent to Alexei Ramirez, Anderson still has a lot of work to do defensively (he committed one error in 24 chances last week), but with his bat and plus speed, the future is bright.

Stock: Up

1. Carlos Rodon. LHP

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Last Week's Stats: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 0.800 WHIP, 5.0 IP, ER, 9 K, 2 BB

Carlos Rodon did not disappoint in his first start at Triple-A, striking out nine over five innings. As Jim Margalus from South Side Sox noted, “Based on what we saw in the spring and Rodon's 2015 debut in Charlotte, he's pretty much ready to ply his trade against the best of the best.”

The outing comes on the heels of posting a 3.06 ERA with 21 strikeouts over 17.2 innings during spring training. True, his results this spring were mixed, but we all saw what he is capable of.

And if you’re unfamiliar, Rodon’s showing is hardly surprising. From the folks over at MLB.com’s Prospect Watch:

"

After signing for a $6,582,200 bonus—the largest in the 2014 Draft and in franchise history, and the most ever for a southpaw—he pitched so well that Chicago nearly promoted him in September.

Rodon's slider is such a wipeout pitch that there are few doubts that it could get big league hitters out now. It sits in the mid-80s, tops 90 mph on occasion and explodes on hitters with two-plane break. He relied on his slider too heavily as a junior at North Carolina State, and when he started using his fastball more in pro ball, he worked at 92-94 mph and hit 97 with his heater.

"

All told, Rodon will be in the White Sox rotation once he establishes a bit more command and refines his changeup a bit. There is simply too much riding on the success of the rotation this season to leave a top-of-the-rotation starter languishing in Charlotte.

Stock: Up

Unless otherwise noted, all traditional, team and advanced statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. Transaction, contract, injury and game information are courtesy of MLB.com.

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