The White Sox's minor league affiliates played a total of seven games and scored a total of seven runs, so let's instead spend a little time noticing how Kannapolis is suddenly awash -- or at least afloat -- in pitching options.
Maybe that's an overstatement, but after running out 1½ decent pitching prospects at most over the course of four months, the White Sox have four starters all worthy of a look:
*Brooks Gosswein made his A-ball debut in Game 1 on Thursday and threw four scoreless innings, and has allowed just one run over 12 innings in pro ball thus far. He signed for $200,000 after the White Sox selected him in the fourth round out of Bradley University in Peoria, where he performed beneath his stuff. He outpitched...
*Sean Burke, who gave up two runs over 2⅔ innings and took the loss in Game 2. That's only his first hiccup though, as he's struck out 14 batters over his first 7⅔ innings as a pro.
*Matthew Thompson, who has tied together promising outings to close out his August and earned a positive review from Baseball Prospectus in its in-person reports:, putting a 60 grade on his fastball and curveball. Regarding the latter:
Easy plus projection, was tempted to go higher. Shape can vary from 12-6 downer to 10-4 borderline slider with significant horizontal action. Both versions get excellent depth and sharp, late bite. Can use as get-me-over strike but is devilish when located down in and below the zone, where it jumps off the table. If he figures out how to use the different variations where and when he wants, watch out.
*Andrew Dalquist, who has allowed just one run over his last two outings covering 9⅔ innings, and calmed down the walk total in the later.
Charlotte 3, Norfolk 1
- Blake Rutherford went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Jake Burger was 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
- Yermín Mercedes singled twice and struck out twice.
- Jimmy Lambert: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Chattanooga 3, Birmingham 1
- Yoelqui Césepedes wore the collar and silver sombrero.
- Carlos Pérez also went 0-for-4.
- Lenyn Sosa went 1-for-4.
Rome 5, Winston-Salem 0
- Jose Rodriguez had half the Dash's hits with a 1-for-4 night.
- Luis Mieses was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Luis Curbelo went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
- Harvin Mendoza went 0-for-3 with a K.
Kannapolis 1, Down East 0 (Game 1, 7 innings)
- James Beard went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Bryan Ramos singled, got plunked and struck out.
- Chase Krogman walked once and struck out twice.
- Misael Gonzalez went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
- Wilber Sanchez was 0-for-3 with two K's.
- Brooks Gosswein's A-ball debut: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Down East 7, Kannapolis 0 (Game 2, 7 innings)
- James Beard doubled and struck out thrice.
- Wilber Sanchez repeated his Game 1.
- Bryan Ramos was 0-for-2 with an HBP and a stolen base.
- DJ Gladney went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
- Chase Krogman walked once and struck out twice.
- Sean Burke: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP
ACL Indians 5, ACL White Sox 1
- Wilfred Veras went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Wes Kath, 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.
- Benyamin Bailey wore the golden sombrero.
- Logan Glass had a silver one during his 0-for-4.
- Jefferson Mendoza homered, singled, walked and struck out.
- Colby Smelley made his debut, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Cristian Mena: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR
DSL Orioles1 6, DSL White Sox 1
- Victor Quezada went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
- Yohemy Nolasco: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
