16. Wes Kath, 3B (Previous: 17, +1)
- Drafted 2nd Round (57th overall) in 2021
The White Sox selected Wes Kath in the second round of the 2021 draft and paid him $1.8 million out of Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 6-3, 215 pounder has an easy left-handed swing and a mature approach at the dish. He has shown big strength and significant pull side power despite a swing that can get too long at times. The infielder must improve his pitch recognition and cut down on the strikeouts but he did post a 13.4% walk rate in A ball.
Kath hit .238/.343/.397 with a 109 wRC+ in Low-A and he really turned it on in August. He hit six of his 13 homers in that month while slashing .263/.382/.544. He struggled mightily against lefties and struck out 33% of the time. More quickness and range might be essential but he has a plus arm and should be fine defensively at third base. The 20-year-old struggled statistically during his appearance with Project Birmingham and he should spend the 2023 season in Winston-Salem with the Dash.
17. Ryan Burrowes, SS (Previous: 30, +13)
- Signed from Panama in 2022
Burrowes was the most interesting player on the White Sox's club in the Dominican Summer League in 2022 after signing for $70K out of Panama last January. The 6-3, 170 pound shortstop is a wiry athlete who plays with tons of energy. The teenager has shown an ability to manage the strike zone with an upright and balanced swing. He lacks strength currently but he could provide 20 homer power annually once it develops further.
The 18-year-old skipped instructional league while returning home to graduate from high school in Panama. Burrowes is a plus runner with an above-average arm and he was 12 for 12 in stolen bases during DSL action. He hit .266/.393/.392 with a 12.8% walk rate while posting a 120 wRC+ with high exit velocity readings. The infielder could start in extended spring but making a full season debut in 2023 could be in the cards as well.
18. Jordan Sprinkle, SS (Previous: 25, +7)
- Drafted in the 4th round in 2022
Heading into the season as a possible day one talent, the UC Santa Barbara product followed up a .353/.402/.536 season in 2021 with a .285/.381/.416 line, sliding to the White Sox in the fourth round. Considered to be one of, if not the best defensive shortstops in his class in the collegiate ranks (per MLB Pipeline), Sprinkle is a plus defender at short with above average-to-plus arm strength, good instincts, range, and hands.
After being drafted, the former collegiate-national team member did appear in 27 pro games, five with the ACL club and 22 with Kannapolis (where he did hit one home run and steal eight bases). The point of emphasis for Sprinkle and the development staff is righting the soon to be 22 year old’s approach at the plate. Sprinkle is a plus runner and utilizes a quick swing from the right side at the plate, but his power dissipated in his draft year. The progression at the plate will determine if the former Guacho has an utility-only upside or something greater moving forward.
19. Tanner McDougal, RHP (No change)
- Drafted 5th Round in 2021
The 19-year-old McDougal really popped up late in the process prior to the 2021 draft when he excelled at the inaugural draft combine after producing some of the best pitch metrics in the prep class. The White Sox signed him for $850K out of a Las Vegas area high school and the righty threw in six Arizona League games before undergoing Tommy John Surgery. He has really good stuff and could become a mid-rotation starter.
The 6-5, 230 pounder is back on the mound and ready to contribute in 2023. McDougal's fastball was up to 96 mph this fall and he still shows an upper 70's curveball with spin and depth that could be plus in the future. He needs to improve his changeup however. After some work with White Sox instructors, his delivery looks more smooth with less head whack at finish. McDougal should make his full season debut with the Cannon Ballers in Low-A.
20. Wilfred Veras, 1B/3B (New)
- Signed from Dominican Republic in 2019
The 6-2, 210 pounder has shown massive power potential in the low minors. Veras is the cousin of Fernando Tatis Jr. and he signed for $200K with the White Sox in the international market. The 20-year-old Dominican has recently moved to the outfield and it should help his standing as a prospect. He came up as a third basemen and was trending toward first so outfield utility would be positive.
Veras has been known to struggle with his swing path and approach at the dish. He really smashes fastballs but struggles with breaking balls. He's a below average runner as well. As a member of Project Birmingham, Veras posted a 116 wRC+ and thrived in that environment. He also hit 20 homers at two stops total last year. He should report to Double-A to play with the Barons.
21. Loidel Chapelli, 2B/OF (Previous: 29, +8)
- Signed from Cuba in 2022
Signed as a late addition to the 2022 international class, Chapelli was assigned to the DSL and did was he was supposed to by dominating the league (.344/.448/.636, 1.084 OPS) while playing against competition that was (on average) about 2 years younger. Chapelli displays a good understanding at the plate with hard contact from the left side and surprising power for his 5’8” frame. Defensively, the 21-year-old was primarily an outfielder in Cuba but has made the transition to second base in the DSL and has an opportunity to stick there, possessing average speed and arm strength in tandem with quick hands. The 2023 season will be a much better gauge on Chapelli’s abilities and outlook moving forward as he’ll head stateside and play against age appropriate competition.
22. Erick Hernandez, OF (Previous: 27, +5)
- Signed from the Dominican Republic in 2022
A rare teenage international signing out of the Dominican Republic for the White Sox, the club also ponies up $1 million to sign now 18-year-old Erick Hernandez in 2021. The 6-0 170 pound outfielder struggled with a knee injury in 2022 but still walked at a 10% rate in the Dominican Summer League. Hernandez hits lefty and throws with his left arm well and he was healthy during stateside instructional league.
This Dominican teenager usually has solid plate appearances with a good grasp of the strike zone and feel to hit. Hernández shows and all fields approach with the ability to barrel the baseball. More power should be on display in the future when strength is added. He's a high energy player who has good instincts in center field but likely moves to a corner. It's still a hit over power profile however and he's expected to start his professional career stateside in Arizona.
23. Tyler Schweitzer, LHP (New)
- Drafted 5th round in 2022
The 22-year-old southpaw signed for $325K after being selected in the fifth round out of Ball State in 2022. He's a 6-0, 185 pounder who was named Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year as a junior after converting to the rotation from relief. Schweitzer was noted to have a low 90's fastball that missed bats up in the zone with high spin rates and vertical movement. He has shown three average secondary pitches as well and the slider and curveball have both flashed plus at times.
The lefty really improved his command and control in college and projects as a back end starter in the big leagues. Schweitzer posted a 2.65 ERA in 17 starts with Ball State and posited a nearly 30% strikeout rate. Pitchability will carry his profile but he did touch 96 mph with life and spin up in the zone during instructional league outings this past fall. He'll pitch for one of the White Sox's A ball affiliates in 2023.
24. Luis Mieses, 1B/OF, (Previous: 22, -2)
- Signed Dominican Republic in 2016
Luis Mieses, a 22-year-old outfielder, has been a model of consistency within the lower levels of the minors leagues over the past two years.
2021 (Low-A & HI-A) — .775 OPS, 5.2 BB%, 104 wRC+
2022 (Hi-A & Double-A) — .772 OPS, 5.1 BB%, 107 wRC+
The 6-foot-3 Dominican does not possess seismic in-game power, but his smooth swing from the left side of the plate should allow him to become a gap hitter at the Major League level. Mieses can handle a glove in the outfield and features a strong arm, but does not cover much ground and is limited to a corner spot. He earned a cup of coffee (23 games) with Double-A Birmingham last season, but a full campaign at a pitcher-friendly Regions Field will dictate his ETA to Chicago. The White Sox list Mieses as an infielder as Spring Training begins, which suggests he'll be playing some first base. He's added size over the last two seasons and projects for more power in 2023.
25. Jonathan Stiever, RHP (Previous: 23, -2)
- Drafted 5th Round in 2018
2022 was a tough year for the 6-2, 220 right hander as he spent most of it rehabbing from a torn lat muscle. He closed the season with three appearances in Triple-A and he likely returns to the Charlotte Knights for 2023. The role he will play is seemingly undetermined at this stage however. He's always been a starting pitcher but a transition to relief could allow his fastball and slider combination to really play up.
The former Indiana Hoosier has possessed a mid 90's fastball with an improving slider and he hasn't had much interest repeating his delivery as a professional. The 25-year-old has struggled in his three big league appearances so far with the White Sox but he's a member of the 40-man roster and should serve as some form of immediate pitching depth for the Pale Hose this season.
26. Yolbert Sanchez, 2B/SS (Previous: 18, -8)
- Signed from Cuba in 2019
The White Sox know what they have in Yolbert Sanchez. He’ll deliver solid contact, limited power, mediocre speed and an above-average glove. Likely a utility infielder at the next level, the 25-year-old Cuban saw time at second base (78 games), shortstop (40 games) and third base (7 games) last season. Fitting with the calendar year, Sanchez reached base in 22 consecutive games to begin the ‘22 campaign and quickly earned a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte in the midst of doing so. His best-case scenario is a 2021 version of current Kansas City Royals infielder Nicky Lopez — .300/.365/.378, 2 HR, 43 RBI, 22 SB, 5 DRS.
27. Gregory Santos, RHP (New)
- Signed Dominican Republic by the Boston Red Sox in 2015
Santos is a 23-year-old right hander who the White Sox acquired in a trade from the San Francisco Giants this off-season. The 6-2, 190 pound hurler possesses a 70-grade fastball and slider and his stuff has ticked up since moving to the bullpen full time. The plus-plus fastball regularly hits triple digits now and the slider sits 88-90 mph as well with lofty spin rates.
Santos served a PED suspension in 2021 and has always struggled with control and command of his offerings. He posted a 4.91 ERA in Triple-A last year and walked too many hitters. Santos tallied a 42% strikeout rate with his slider but the overall strikeout totals haven't matched his stuff so far. The righty threw 5.2 innings in the big leagues last year and should have an opportunity for the White Sox in that regard as well. He likely begins the year throwing high leverage relief innings for the Charlotte Knights.
28. Franklin German, RHP (New)
- Drafted 4th Round in 2018 by the New York Yankees
German was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox after being named their 2022 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Acquired for Theo Denlinger from Boston in early February, the 25 year old righty held a 2.72 ERA across 49.2 innings between AA and AAA with a 32.5 K%, 9.6 BB%, 0.91 WHIP, and seven saves. While the former fourth rounder struggled mightily in four innings (five appearances) with the Red Sox in 2022, he does possess a plus-plus fastball that touches 96-99 mph. German also throws a low 80s slider with depth and a mid 80s splitter against lefties that, when they’re at their best, can be above average offerings. German is expected to compete for a potential bullpen spot with the White Sox this spring, but does have three options remaining.
29. Andrew Dalquist, RHP (Previous: 26, -3)
- Drafted in the 3rd Round in 2019
Professional baseball has been tough on Andrew Dalquist since signing for $2 million as a California prep in 2019. The 22-year-old only threw three innings total in his first two seasons due to the pandemic and a groove hasn't really been found since. The 6-1, 175 pounder profiled as a polish over stuff guy with a four pitch mix but it hasn't all translated to date.
The righty has added some extension to his delivery and his fastball velocity now sits 92-95 mph with a low 80's slider as his best secondary offering. Dalquist throws a curveball and a changeup as well but the command of the fastball has been the big issue and the struggles haven't allowed the rest of the profile to play quite yet. In 2022, the right hander posted a 6.95 ERA in 90.2 innings in High-A where he didn't strike out enough hitters and walked too many. He closed out 2022 with the best start of his career in Double-A where he should return this season.
30. Terrell Tatum, OF (New)
- Drafted in the 16th Round in 2021
The White Sox liked Tatum's tools and athleticism when they decided to select him in the 16th round of the 2021 draft out of North Carolina State. The 6-0, 172 pounder was great in 22 games in the Arizona Complex League in his professional debut and he was stellar in 36 plate appearances in Low-A as well. Tatum missed most of the 2022 season after being suspended for 50 games after testing positive for amphetamines. He also got hurt after he returned.
The 23-year-old ultimately played in 32 games in 2022 with the Winston-Salem Dash in High-A where he posted a 119 wRC+ after slashing .255/.371/.418 with three homers. Tatum walked at a 15% clip but struck out nearly 30% of the time as well. Speed and defense are his standout tools but his above average bat speed should lead to average power. The speed has helped him become an above average defender but the throwing arm is below average. Tatum needs to put more balls in play but should be given that opportunity at Double-A with the Barons in 2023.
