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Chicago White Sox Prospect Previews: #25-27

By Jason Kinander

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 07: A grounds crew member mows the outfield before the spring training game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch on March 7, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 07: A grounds crew member mows the outfield before the spring training game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch on March 7, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Continuing our series of previewing the Chicago White Sox Top-30 Prospects list, prospects #25-27 provide intrigue, depth and potential.

Depth is key.

The 2018 Chicago White Sox farm system certainly doesn’t lack depth.

There are two big areas of acquiring minor league depth:

  • Mid-round draft picks
  • Low-return trades

The Chicago White Sox 25-27th ranked prospects both fit this category. One of the biggest things that has made Rick Hahn’s tenure as the Chicago White Sox general manager so successful has been his ability to build a farm system stockpiled with deep talent. Numbers 25-27 are three of the best examples of this.

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#27: Tyler Johnson

Like 28th-ranked prospect Lincoln Henzman, Tyler Johnson was a college reliever drafted in 2017.

Johnson was drafted in the fifth round of last years draft out of the University of South Carolina. One of the best closers in the country, Johnson was the closer for the collegiate Team U.S.A for the last two years of his college career.

That experience showed in his pro debut, as Johnson pitched just eight games with rookie-level Great Falls before moving to Class-A Kannapolis.

While Johnson struggled with a 5.74 ERA in 15.2 innings pitched, the quick progression of Johnson was a huge plus.

Johnson’s upper-90s fastball and developing slider are go-to pitches. Johnson struck out 37 batters in 25.2 minor league innings in 2017, so the continued development of Johnson as a strikeout pitcher will help in his progression to the major leagues.

Considering the fact that he was drafted in 2017, we almost definitely won’t see Tyler Johnson on the White Sox this year. However if he can continue to soar through the minor leagues, Tyler Johnson can certainly compete for a spot in the 2019 Chicago White Sox bullpen.

#26: A.J. Puckett

Acquired from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Melky Cabrera during last summer’s trade deadline, A.J. Puckett is one of the biggest sleepers in the entire farm system.

The 2016 second-round pick was in the midst of a great 2017 (9-7, 3.90 ERA) with the Royal’s High-A affiliate before the trade. While Puckett struggled a bit in his first five starts with the Winston-Salem Dash (High-A), Puckett kept his total ERA under 4, going 10-7 in 25 starts in 2017.

Puckett’s biggest issue is that he lacks an out pitch. Puckett struck out 119 batters in 135.2 innings in 2017, but opposing batters also hit .272 against him. Pucketts low-90s fastball doesn’t serve him well when it comes to getting outs, so development of an above-average secondary pitch will be key in his progression.

At the age of 22, A.J. Puckett is closer to the major leagues than most would think. The only real thing keeping Puckett in the minors past this season is the fact that there’s no clear spot for him on the future Chicago White Sox.

A move to the bullpen would be Puckett’s fastest way to the majors, but who knows? Maybe Puckett will go out and have a huge 2018, thus inserting himself in the Chicago White Sox future rotation.

2018 will be a huge season for A.J. Puckett, and will be crucial in his future role on the Chicago White Sox.

#25: Luis Curbelo

Arguably the most mysterious name on this list, Luis Curbelo is a big name to watch in 2018.

The 20 year-old 2016 6th-rounder played in just three games in 2017 due to a torn meniscus.

In those three games, Curbelo had six hits in fourteen at-bats, as well as a homer and a double.

One of the biggest things that can help Curbelo is the fact that he’s a middle infielder- the position with the least depth in the Chicago White Sox farm system.

2018 will be a big year for Luis Curbelo’s progression. Assuming that he doesn’t start 2018 in the Arizona League, Luis Curbelo will need to make up for lost time and jump at least one minor league level in order to keep up with the rest of the farm system.

As for his play on the field, Curbelo will need to be consistent, but hit for power if anything. The bottom of the White Sox farm system lacks true power hitters, so a big season in the power numbers for Curbelo would be a big plus for both him and the White Sox.

Since he’s only 20 and missed practically all of last season, Luis Curbelo needs at least two-and-a-half more seasons in the minor leagues before he’ll be considered major league ready. A big season at the plate, and a healthy 2018 will be big for Curbelo’s future in Chicago.

Next: Chicago White Sox Prospect Previews: Reviewing 28-30

Luis Curbelo, A.J. Puckett and Tyler Johnson are three prime examples of the potential-laden depth that occupies the Chicago White Sox farm system. If all three have big developmental seasons, you can expect to see all three in White Sox uniforms by 2021.

As showed in the White Sox bottom-six prospects, depth is key. These sox (especially these three) would be ranked in the top-20 of most farm systems, which is a huge testament to the depth of the White Sox farm system.

Remember these three names, as Tyler Johnson, A.J. Puckett and Luis Curbelo could all be big producers on the South Side in a few years.

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