Chicago White Sox Prospect Previews: #28-30

MLB Pipeline released their new list of the Chicago White Sox Top-30 prospects. Re-starting our series of previews for each prospect, here are numbers 28-30.

The farm continues to grow,

The Chicago White Sox farm system, ranked third in the MLB by MLB Pipeline, is as deep as ever.

With top-level talent from bottom to top, the Chicago White Sox look set for the future.

However as usual with a new list, unfamiliar faces could be in the bottom half. This time around, the bottom three look to be three potential difference makers. Three sleepers who could grow into big time producers at the major-league level.

#30: Justin Yurchak

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Arguably the least-known player on this list, Justin Yurchak has the potential to shoot up this list in the coming years.

A 2017 12th-round pick out of Binghampton, Yurchak hit .345 in his first 60 games with Rookie-level Great Falls.

A former teammate of fellow White Sox prospect Gavin Sheets at Wake Forest, Yurchak is one of the better pure hitters on the Chicago White Sox Top-30 prospects list.

Yurchak totaled 22 extra-base hits in his pro debut, showing some major pop in his bat. Despite the big numbers, Yurchak is still not close to being among the top names in the farm system, especially given the fact that he’s a 12th-round pick with little time in the minors, Yurchak needs a good amount of time to develop.

Another downside for Yurchak is his glove- the former third baseman committed eight errors in his first twelve games with Great Falls.

The early production from Yurchak is huge. If Justin Yurchak can improve on the field and stay consistent in the box, the twelfth rounder could see himself in the White Sox future plans by 2020.

#29: Thyago Vieira

Acquired from the Seattle Mariners in December, Thyago Vieira is one of the most intriguing names on this list.

The 24-year old righty has one of the best fastballs in the minors, touching 103 MPH at times.

A member of the World Team at the 2017 Futures Game, the Brazil native has the potential to be the White Sox future closer.

Vieira had a big 2017, starting the year in Double-A before making his MLB debut in August.

The big fastball is great for the late innings, but a major area of concern for Vieira is his control. Vieira walked 22 batters in 54 minor league innings, a stat that doesn’t bode well for a potential closer.

With many spots open in the big-league bullpen, Vieira could see action as soon as Opening Week. Of course the righty would need to show vast improvement with his control throughout the rest of the spring, but a solid spring could easily get Vieira a spot in the bullpen.

#28: Lincoln Henzman

The second-straight reliever, and one of five on the list, Lincoln Henzman has the potential to be one of the fastest-rising guys on this list.

The 2017 4th-round pick out of Louisville is one of the most complete relievers in the Chicago White Sox farm system. Henzman’s fastball-changeup combo helped him to 16 saves for Louisville last season, third most in Division-1.

In 11 total games between Arizona League and Rookie Ball, Henzman totaled a 3.86 ERA with 17 strikeouts and seven saves.

While MLB Pipeline currently has his ETA at 2020, a good 2018 could make Henzman a potential candidate for the 2019 bullpen, joining former Louisville teammate Zack Burdi.

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As for downsides, Henzman needs to show better control after walking 9 in 27 innings last season. Henzman also needs to polish his secondary pitches, as he currently lacks a solid breaking ball.

The bottom-three of the 2018 Chicago White Sox top-30 prospects list look to be three of the biggest sleepers on the entire list. Big seasons for all three would continue to help the Chicago White Sox cement their place among the best farm systems in all of baseball.