It turns out that we got the Paul Janish Jump (pronounced "yump"), as the new White Sox director of player development met with the media at Guaranteed Rate Field a couple days after James published White Sox prospect updates after a conversation with Janish.
That said, Janish touched on a few other prospects during this scrum to help round out the picture:
Regarding Colson Montgomery:
“I think Colson’s in a good place right now. Obviously, he’s at Triple-A for the first time, it’s a new level. He’s had a bunch of success in the minor leagues offensively. He’s at a point right now where it’s a combination of a couple things. He’s only one step away from the major leagues, right? So if we’re going to ask him to play that position at the major league level, he’s got to continue to play defensively, continue to develop, even just from a physical standpoint of playing day in and day out, which he has been, to his credit. Obviously you guys know [Justin] Jirsch[le] down there does a really good job. Him and Colson have a really good relationship. And Colson has been very adamant about wanting to be in the lineup pretty much every single day. Those things to consider are some of the bigger parts of his development right now. But he’s in a good place. He got off to a relatively slow start. I think we’ve got to remember he’s really young. He’s obviously very talented. Very little concern at this point for Colson. I think he’s going to be just fine, and he’s doing what he needs to do.”
Regarding Jake Eder:
"Honestly, with Jake, everybody will tell you it’s about throwing strikes, and he’s done that so far this year so he’s having success. I think it’s a little bit of a deep-breath deal, right? He gets traded last year, and there’s been some injury history and that kind of thing. He had a little bit of the awkward deal during spring training this year, so I think getting to Birmingham, getting his feet on the ground and a consistent routine. We mentioned John Ely, I think he’s doing a really good job with him. But Jake’s throwing the ball really well. And it’s a real left-handed arm. Obviously, health is the biggest deal with him, to make sure that over the course of the season we maintain. But there’s reason to be excited about him, for sure."
Regarding Tanner McDougal:
“From a stuff standpoint, super-talented kid. Big frame, everything you want. He’s coming down the mound huffing and puffing. He’s an emotional guy. That’s something he’ll continue to work on that, but I saw him throw last week and it was really good. It was up to 97 and breaking ball is a good pitch. He’s working on consistency with it. Super encouraged by Tanner early in the season.
Last year he dealt with inconsistencies which you could argue coming off the injury makes sense. This year, we are hoping he can continue to show up and establish consistency because it’s one of the better arms in the system.”
And regarding Eric Adler, the reliever who looked too good for Winston-Salem in the Farm Fortnight post and was indeed promoted to Birmingham:
Physical, the stuff is real. The makeup, when I say makeup, I’m talking about the in-game presentation, he seems to be unflappable, which is super encouraging for what is probably equate to a high-leverage guy. And he’s on the other side of it. We are going to push him as he shows us he can do it, because it’s a little different for a short-inning-pitcher-type guy with real stuff. So, up to this point, really encouraged. I know he’s another pretty motivated kid. He knows where he wants to go, which is a pretty big piece.
Charlotte 4, Memphis 3
- Dominic Fletcher singled and struck out thrice in his Charlotte debut.
- Lenyn Sosa was 1-for-4 with a two-run homer.
- Colson Montgomery went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and an HBP.
- Zach DeLoach left the game after getting plunked in the back of the right knee in his first PA.
- Mike Clevinger: 4 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 48 of 71 pitches for strikes.
Rocket City 3, Birmingham 2
- Terrell Tatum went 0-for-4.
- Brooks Baldwin drew his first walk in 12 games, but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
- Edgar Quero went 1-for-4 with a double.
- So did Bryan Ramos, who struck out twice.
- Wilfred Veras went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Tim Elko and Jacob Burke both were 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
- Drew Thorpe took his first loss despite a quality start: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 HR, 60 of 96 pitches for strikes.
Greensboro 9, Winston-Salem 2
- Loidel Chapelli went 2-for-4 with a double, and was picked off/caught stealing.
- Samuel Zavala went 1-for-4 with a K.
- Jacob Gonzalez, 2-for-4 with a K.
- DJ Gladney wore the collar and silver sombrero.
- Wes Kath, 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Tanner McDougal threw another career-long outing: 6 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR,58 of 87 pitches for strikes.
Notes:
*Chapelli snapped a streak of 13 consecutive games with a strikeout.
