Chicago White Sox prospect profile: Aaron Bummer

Continuing our series of previewing the White Sox Top-30 prospects, up next is Aaron Bummer – the White Sox #27 ranked prospect.

One of just four players with major league experience on this list, Aaron Bummer is one of the most intriguing names on the White Sox Top-30 prospects list.

A 19th-round pick out of the University of Nebraska in 2014, Aaron Bummer is the only left-handed reliever among the White Sox top-30 prospects.

Bummer shot up from High-A Winston-Salem all the way to Triple-A Charlotte in the first half of the 2017 season before getting called up in late July amidst a series of trades involving relievers.

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Bummer struggled in his first month with the Sox, owning a 7.11 ERA in his first 16 appearances going into September.

It was the final month of the season where Bummer flashed his potential, allowing just one run in 9.1 innings in September.

Bummers arsenal is built on two plus pitches- a high-90s fastball and a sharp, nasty slider.

Bummers biggest downside is his lack of a third pitch, however several plus relievers have been able to find success at the major league level with just two primary pitches.

Entering his first full major league season, Bummer will compete for a spot on the opening day roster.

While the acquisition of fellow lefty Luis Avilan could hurt Bummer’s chances of making the team right out of camp, Bummer’s high strikeout rate could be enough for the White Sox to keep him around for high-leverage situations.

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Regardless of his status on opening day, Bummer has a clear spot in the White Sox’ future plans. As a hard-throwing lefty wit

h two above-average “out” pitches, Bummer has a serious chance to become a valuable piece for the White Sox, especially in late-inning situations.

Bummer certainly has his downsides, but the potential for a young. hard-throwing lefty is sky-high. At his ceiling, Bummer could find himself in an Andrew Miller-like role on a future contending White Sox team