If we've learned anything from Prelander Berroa's first few months in the White Sox organization, he might be a bit of a sandbagger.
In spring training, Berroa was shelled for six runs over two-thirds of an inning in his second appearance, and he only had three other outings before he was sidelined with shoulder soreness, so he finished Cactus League play with a 13.50 ERA.
When he got to Charlotte, he gave up runs in each of his first four games, digging a deep enough hole that seven consecutive scoreless appearances have only managed to lower his ERA to 8.74.
Keep that in mind if and when he makes his White Sox debut, which could come as soon as Sunday. Scott Merkin reported that Berroa will join the 26-man roster to provide a fresh arm to a taxed bullpen. If he continues throwing the way he has been -- James said recent scout looks have been good after Berroa struggled early with his slider -- then you can set aside the ugly ERA and resume regarding him as a reliever with potential. If his tendency to flop in his initial appearances follow him to the White Sox, then you might have to suspend judgment, at least as long as the White Sox's major league coaches are willing to suspend theirs.
As for the rest of the system, James talked to new White Sox Director of Player Development Paul Janish and has a massive White Sox prospect roundup post to show for it, coming in a couple of hours. Stay tuned.
Lehigh Valley 8, Charlotte 4
- Colson Montgomery and Zach DeLoach both were 0-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Oscar Colás, 1-for-4 with a triple and two strikeouts.
- Nick Nastrini: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 2 HR, 50 of 85 pitches for strikes.
Chattanooga 4, Birmingham 1
- Terrell Tatum went 0-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base.
- Brooks Baldwin finally cooled off, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Edgar Quero was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Bryan Ramos and Tim Elko both were 1-for-4 with a K.
- Wilfred Veras, 1-for-4 with a double and a stolen base.
- Jacob Burke went 0-for-2 with a walk, strikeout and sac fly.
- Mason Adams gave up three solo shots in the second: 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 3 HR
Rome 8, Winston-Salem 7 (12 innings)
- Samuel Zavala went 1-for-5 with a sac bunt and a strikeout.
- Jacob Gonzalez went 2-for-6 with a double.
- DJ Gladney, 1-for-6 with a double, two strikeouts and a stolen base.
- Loidel Chapelli was 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
- Noah Schultz: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP
- Shane Murphy made his 2024 debut: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Kannapolis 4, Charleston 2
- Rikuu Nishida went 0-for-2 with two walks.
- Eddie Park, 1-for-4 with a K.
- Ronny Hernandez was 0-for-4.
- Lucas Gordon: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
