The last White Sox minor league affiliate to be previewed is also the least, in the sense that the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers' roster is more defined by who's not on it than who is.
The minor league season is underway, but Kannapolis isn't where Ryan Burrowes and George Wolkow are starting the season, even though they finished 2023 on the Ballers' developmental list. Their ages are still in the teens though, as is Christian Oppor's, and scouts thought Wolkow looked raw enough for the ACL during backfield spring games, so a delayed start for them is understandable.
But even some collegiate picks from last year's draft aren't here -- or anywhere yet -- like second-round LSU righty Grant Taylor, Ole Miss catcher Calvin Harris or Stanford outfielder Eddie Park. Taylor had Tommy John surgery last February, so he might still be in the ramp-up phase, but the others were active last season.
The Cannon Ballers were one-hit in their season opener on Friday, and that while that feels extreme, run-scoring could be a challenge for them until reinforcements arrive. The hope is that the draft isn't what provides them.
Coaching staff
- Manager: Patrick Leyland
- Pitching coach: Blake Hickman
- Hitting coach: Charlie Romero
- Bench coach: Daniel Millwee
The White Sox kept the previous year's coaching staff intact aside from the addition of Millwee, a former organizational catcher. The only difference with the other three is that Leyland can now say he's the son of a Hall of Famer.
Starting pitchers
Three of these starters feel solid. Keener was an obvious choice even before he turned in a dominant performance on Opening Day, given that he was last year's third-round pick. Likewise, sixth-rounder Gordon threw more than 100 innings for the University of Texas last year, so the White Sox will want to see if he can do that again in the pros. The White Sox acquired Batista for international pool money last August and he turned in five strong starts with the Cannon Ballers after the deal.
The others are educated guesses. Arias has been a starter at both the DSL and ACL levels in each of his first two seasons, so let's say he keeps that going. Ninth-round pick Peppers signed for full slot value after pitching his way into Jacksonville State's rotation, so let's not stop him now.
Bullpen
- Nick Altermatt
- Jake Bockenstedt
- Bryce Collins
- Christian Edwards
- Drew McDaniel
- Mark McLaughlin
- Jesus Mendez
- Billy Seidl
- Emerson Talavera
- Tommy Vail
- Manuel Veloz
- Garrett Wright
A few names jump out. Mendez is the youngest pitcher on the roster, as he won't turn 20 until July. His performance to date hasn't necessitated an Opening Day assignment on an A-ball roster, so let's see if there's anything there. Edwards is yet another Jacksonville State product, selected two rounds after Peppers. McDaniel made 17 so-so starts for Kannapolis last year, so maybe he's in the rotation to help provide some experienced innings. I learned through Google News White Sox alerts over the winter that Seidl is engaged to Michael Kopech's ex-girlfriend, and now you know that, too.
Catchers
Hernandez is the most exciting prospect on Kannapolis' roster, even though I'm scouting off the stat line saying that. He's a .310/.411/.506 over one season in the DSL and one season in the ACL, and he's making his full-season debut at age 19.
As for Gonzalez, he was initially listed on Winston-Salem's roster, but now he's here alongside Pineda, but Hernandez should get as much work as he deserves.
Infielders
When Mora's second small sample in the ACL (.360/.467/.440) at age 20 was even better than his first at age 19 (.397/.358/.473), the White Sox promoted him to Kannapolis, where he posted a .476 OPS and struck out 26 times in 70 plate appearances. He just turned 21, so he has a little more time to stick. Hernandez is a little younger than Mora, but he is less accomplished, and Sanchez should know his way around Kannapolis, as this will be his fourth season there.
Felix and Kane are third-day draft picks from last year. Felix provides some power alongside some swing-and-miss, while Kane, an Oregon State second baseman still in search of his first professional extra-base hit, strikes me as Tall Nick Madrigal until proven otherwise.
Outfielders
Three-fifths of this outfield should appeal to ardent adorers of alliteration. Nishida should appeal to anybody who watches baseball for his batter's box rituals, but if he's listed as an outfielder going forward, that's going to demand an untenable amount from his bat. Asigen is the biggest unknown, as he hit .318/.436/.434 over 42 games for Low-A Salem in the Red Sox system his age-21 season. Aguero didn't stand out over the last two years for the ACL White Sox. Connor is a 19th-round pick, and Hogan is an undrafted free agent who had the only hit in the Ballers' season opener.
