The team records don't show it, but the White Sox aren't having a bad year on the farm. It's just that a lot of their talent is concentrated in the middle infield, while the pitching is a mess at the highest two levels.
James Fegan talked to Chris Getz about four infield success stories, along with Oscar Colás for the people. Regarding Lenyn Sosa, Getz told James what he told me, but some key updates about the others:
Colson Montgomery: Getz doesn't see a position change in Montgomery's future despite his size:
“There’s really no reason why he’s not going to be able to cut off the ball and make plays in that six-hole and get runners that are getting down the line pretty well,” Getz said. “He gets to (his arm strength) fairly easily. He’s not a guy that needs to fully set up. It’s just a matter of that clean exchange and read the ball properly off the bat on all angles. But he’s got the footwork, the hands and the arm strength to accomplish everything you want.”
Bryan Ramos: He's been up, down and up over the course of three months, and the good news is that his quiet May wasn't reflective of a lost strike zone, but getting a little too pull-happy for the pitches he was seeing.
Yolbert Sánchez: Without one award-winning tool or skill, his game is the kind that has to be sharp across the board in order to provide value, including an array of medium-contact hits, sound defense and contributions on the basepaths, which is one reason why the Sox haven't been rushing to call him up.
As for Colás, Fegan writes that he's trying to temper his urges to flaunt his pull power, and I saw some of that on Thursday, when he smashed two balls into the ground toward the first baseman. As you'll see below, he got some lift on one Friday night.
Jacksonville 4, Charlotte 3
- Tim Anderson went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Adam Haseley was 0-for-4 with a K.
- Gavin Sheets, a plain-ol' 0-for-4.
- Carlos Pérez struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance.
Notes:
*Mike Wright went to the IL, so the Knights are down to two starters.
Mississippi 6, Birmingham 5
- José Rodríguez went 2-for-5.
- Lenyn Sosa was 1-for-4 with a double, sac fly and two strikeouts.
Bowling Green 4, Winston-Salem 1
- Oscar Colás hit his sixth homer during a 1-for-4 night.
- Bryan Ramos was 0-for-4.
- Luis Mieses, 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Adam Hackenberg went 0-for-3 with an HBP and a strikeout.
- Harvin Mendoza singled, got plunked and struck out twice.
Highlights:
*I missed a colossal Colás clout by one game.
Oscar Colas with a 108mph 437’ 💣 to deep center. It was the #Dash only run, as they lose 4-1. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/Uf5uuSKJET
— Ian Eskridge (@dailywhitesox) June 18, 2022
Kannapolis 2, Fayetteville 1
- James Beard went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Colson Montgomery was 1-for-4 with a K.
- DJ Gladney, 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.
- Wilfred Veras walked once and struck out thrice.
- Norge Vera was limited to two innings by a 43-minute rain delay: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 21 of 33 pitches for strikes.
Highlights:
*Vera's velocity rose from his first start to his second.
Norge Vera’s 2nd start ruined by a weather delay. He only gets 2 IP, but they were unblemished. No hits, no walks, and no runs. He struck out the first batter he saw with a 100 MPH fastball outside paint. #Ballers #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/h6G1G01Gkj
— Ian Eskridge (@dailywhitesox) June 18, 2022
*Montgomery has reached base 27 games in a row.
ACL White Sox 5, ACL Royals 2
- Cam Butler went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Dario Borrero went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Manuel Guariman, 1-for-3 with a strikeout and a stolen base.
- Alvaro Aguero went 1-for-3 with a walk, strikeout and two stolen bases.
- Carlos Hinestroza: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
DSL Yankees 4, DSL White Sox 2
- Erick Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a double, walk and strikeout. He was also caught stealing.
- Ryan Burrowes was 0-for-5 with a strikeout.
- Loidel Chapelli went 1-for-2 with a triple and two walks.
- Leandro Alsinois, 0-for-3 with a walk.
