Chicago White Sox

By Phil Rogers
November 17, 2008

Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2009.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Gordon Beckham, ss 2. Aaron Poreda, lhp 3. Clayton Richard, lhp 4. Brandon Allen, 1b 5. Jordan Danks, of 6. Chris Getz, 2b 7. John Shelby, of 8. John Ely, rhp 9. Cole Armstrong, c 10. Eduardo Escobar, ss

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Chris Getz Best Power Hitter Brandon Allen Best Strike-Zone Discipline Chris Getz Fastest Baserunner Justin Greene Best Athlete Jordan Danks Best Fastball Aaron Poreda Best Curveball Nate Jones Best Slider Jon Link Best Changeup John Ely Best Control Levi Maxwell Best Defensive Catcher Cole Armstrong Best Defensive Infielder Eduardo Escobar Best Infield Arm Brent Morel Best Defensive Outfielder Jordan Danks Best Outfield Arm Sal Sanchez

PROJECTED 2012 LINEUP

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski First Base Brandon Allen Second Base Gordon Beckham Third Base Josh Fields Shortstop Alexei Ramirez Left Field Carlos Quentin Center Field Jordan Danks Right Field Jermaine Dye Designated Hitter Paul Konerko No. 1 Starter John Danks No. 2 Starter Aaron Poreda No. 3 Starter Gavin Floyd No. 4 Starter Mark Buehrle No. 5 Starter Clayton Richard Closer Bobby Jenks

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2008 1999 Carlos Lee, 3b Astros 2000 Kip Wells, rhp Royals 2001 Jon Rauch, rhp Diamondbacks 2002 Joe Borchard, of Braves 2003 Joe Borchard, of Braves 2004 Joe Borchard, of Braves 2005 Brian Anderson, of White Sox 2006 Bobby Jenks, rhp White Sox 2007 Ryan Sweeney, of Athletics 2008 Aaron Poreda, lhp White Sox

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2008 1999 Jason Stumm, rhp Out of baseball 2000 Joe Borchard Braves 2001 Kris Honel, rhp Cardinals 2002 Royce Ring, lhp Braves 2003 Brian Anderson, of White Sox 2004 Josh Fields, 3b White Sox 2005 Lance Broadway, rhp White Sox 2006 Kyle McCulloch, rhp White Sox 2007 Aaron Poreda, lhp White Sox 2008 Gordon Beckham, ss White Sox

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Joe Borchard, 2003 $5,300,000 Gordon Beckham, 2008 $2,600,000 Jason Stumm, 1999 $1,750,000 Royce Ring, 2002 $1,600,000 Brian Anderson, 2003 $1,500,000

WHITE SOX LINKS

White Sox' Team Page White Sox Top 10 Scouting Reports  Last Year's White Sox Top 10 Prospects 2008 Draft: White Sox (Basic Database) 2008 Draft: White Sox  (Advanced Database) 2008 Draft Report Cards: Chicago White Sox  Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects Pre-Order the 2009 Prospect Handbook

In the end, after his big league team had survived three elimination games in three days against three different opponents, Kenny Williams was left with good memories of 2008. But the pendulum generally swings wildly for the White Sox and their general manager, and that remains as true as ever.

While Chicago won its third American League Central title in Williams' eight seasons in charge, turbulence below the surface left him with little time to relax. Senior director of player personnel Dave Wilder was canned in May after being identified in an investigation into bonus-skimming from players signed in the Dominican Republic, and in the aftermath, Buddy Bell replaced Alan Regier as farm director. It marked the second year in a row that Williams made a major in-season change, as longtime scouting director Duane Shaffer was sacked in June 2007.

Williams' characteristic aggressiveness has rewarded the White Sox handsomely in many cases. They wouldn't have made the playoffs in 2008 without signing Cuban free agent Alexei Ramirez or trading first-base prospect Chris Carter to Arizona for Carlos Quentin, who might have won the AL MVP award had he not broken his hand in September. Acquiring John Danks and Gavin Floyd in the 2006-07 offseason has put their rotation in good shape for years to come, a credit to Williams' deal-making ability.

Nick Swisher did turn in a disappointing season after the White Sox sent their top two prospects (lefthander Gio Gonzalez, righthander Fautino de los Santos) and best position prospect (outfielder Ryan Sweeney) to Oakland for him last January. But that move is unlikely to change Williams' modus operandi of using his farm system to acquire productive veterans.

The White Sox rarely have developed their own impact players under Williams, and in recent years have done an especially poor job of advancing hitters. The regression of third baseman Josh Fields, who was sent back to Triple-A after delivering 23 homers as Joe Crede's injury replacement in 2007, and outfielder Jerry Owens continued a trend that Williams is at least paying lip service about ending.

Fields, second baseman Chris Getz and maybe even Owens may get a chance to become regulars in 2009. Further away but more promising is a group of 2008 draftees—shortstop Gordon Beckham, third baseman Brent Morel and center fielder Jordan Danks—who have significantly replenished the system's inventory of promising position players. First baseman Brandon Allen also took a huge step forward in 2008 and appears on the verge of moving into the conversation as an eventual replacement for Paul Konerko as Chicago looks to get younger and more athletic.

The system's pitching depth took a hit with the Swisher trade, though lefties Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard are close to being ready to assume prominent roles with the White Sox. Richard was their most impressive pitcher in the AL Division Series against the Rays. Righty Adam Russell also had his moments in the bullpen, winning three games in one nine-day span.

Bell, who joined the organization after managing the Royals, figures to play a valuable role. He changed five of the six managerial jobs in the system, most notably hiring Chris Chambliss for Triple-A Charlotte, and is taking a hands-on approach to educating players.

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