Chicago White Sox: Analyzing Prospects 13-15
As we continue with our series of analyzing the Chicago White Sox Top-30 prospects, we reach the players who could potentially be stars on the South Side.
I know, Opening Day is in a few days.
But lets turn our focus from the present to the future for just a few minutes here.
It’s time to look at three potential future stars on the South Side. As we enter the Chicago White Sox Top-15 prospects, we’re going to be taking a look at the future stars.
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#15. Spencer Adams
Remember this name.
Spencer Adams is one of the best pure pitchers in the Chicago White Sox farm system. The 2014 second-rounder struggled in Double-A last season, but reached the second-highest minor league level at the age of twenty.
Fast progression, huh?
Adams has a mid-90s fastball with a polished slider. The 21-year old logged 153 innings last season, but has missed all of spring training rehabbing a torn ligament in his middle finger.
Adams will likely spend the first few weeks of April in Arizona before taking off for Triple-A Charlotte. Its unclear whether the White Sox plan on giving Adams all season to develop in Triple-A, or if they want to see him in action at the major league level in the second-half of the season.
The advanced ability on the mound, as well as his athleticism and durability will essentially be what gets him to the major leagues. Whether it’s 2018 or 2019 is unclear, but what is clear is that Adams will be a real difference maker once he gets there.
#14. Luis Alexander Basabe
Does the name Luis Alexander Basabe sound familiar? It should.
The 21 year-old outfielder was the “forgotten man” in the 2016 Chris Sale trade. While Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech got all the attention, Basabe has made big steps in the minor leagues and spring training.
After struggling in High-A Winston Salem last season, Basabe made adjustments during the spring, logging a .273 batting average in 22 at-bats. While he’s still two full seasons away from the majors, Basabe’s performance against high quality pitching is a great sign.
While premier prospects like Blake Rutherford, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert seem to have the future outfield locked up, Basabe can spring himself into the conservation with a big 2017. As a young outfielder with 20 home run, 20 stolen base potential, one break out season would go a long way for this guy.
#13. Zack Burdi
A 2016 first round pick out of Louisville, Zack Burdi is likely going to miss most of 2018 following Tommy John surgery last year. However, the young righty has a great chance at breaking camp next year as the White Sox closer.
With a fastball that’s touched 103 miles per hour, the 23 year-old Burdi has loads of potential. To complement his fastball, he boasts a nasty slider and above-average changeup.
In 33 innings in 2017, Burdi struck out 51 batters, a spectacular clip. Even more impressive is that Burdi doesn’t typically lose control of his power pitches, walking just 17 batters in 33 innings.
Burdi’s recovery is the first step, but once healthy, he will certainly be an above-average late inning reliever. A hard fastball, nasty breaking pitch, and great changeup make the perfect formula for late-inning domination.
Be patient, because before long, Burdi will be locking games up on the South Side.
Next: Loyola-Chicago among 5 great NCAA Tournament runs in Illinois history
Get use to hearing these three names repeatedly. Because soon enough, they’ll be stuffing box scores with game-changing performances.
Opening day is just days away, but the future remains bright on the South Side. Happy baseball season!