MLB 26-and-under energy rankings: No. 23 Chicago White Sox

FOX Sports’ 26-and-under energy rankings are a brand new spin on the traditional prospect rankings. Yes, prospects are vital, however with all of the game-changing younger expertise already within the bigs, farm programs alone can’t inform the entire story. So we’re diving deep into each single MLB membership, rating all of them by the gamers in a company getting into their age-26 season or youthful — from the bigs to the farm. Each weekday via March 24, we’ll rely down from final to first. 

No. 23 Chicago White Sox

26-and-under whole rating: 13 (out of 30) 

The White Sox have each cause to suppose extremely of 24-year-old outfielder Oscar Colas. Few prime prospects have taken the journey that Colas has, all whereas excelling each step of the way in which.

The membership’s No. 2 prospect is a legit menace to crack the White Sox’ Opening Day roster, only one 12 months after being acquired. Before final January, when he signed with Chicago for $2.7 million, Colas bounced backwards and forwards between Cuba and Japan. Colas was a two-way participant in each international locations, enjoying within the outfield and pitching, too. Though he spent his first full skilled season enjoying proper and heart discipline within the minor leagues, Colas nonetheless has the instruments and ability set to be a two-way star, a la Shohei Ohtani, within the huge leagues. 

Of course, if Colas does make the big-league roster out of spring coaching, the White Sox will deliver him on solely as an outfielder. If Colas nonetheless had objectives of changing into a two-way participant, he would should be held again within the minors longer in order that Chicago might proceed creating his arm. It seems, although, the White Sox have been particularly inspired with the hitting expertise he displayed of their farm in 2022.

Colas jumped from high-A to Double-A to Triple-A final summer time, slashing .314/.371/.524 with 23 dwelling runs in 117 video games throughout all three ranges. It is unimaginable to suppose Colas might make his major-league debut with simply 526 plate appearances beneath his belt.

Once once more, the White Sox’ willingness to be aggressive on the worldwide free-agent market is paying off. José Abreu and Luis Robert, two of Chicago’s finest latest gamers, additionally defected from Cuba. Colas’ excessive ceiling might put him in the identical dialog as them, as long as he interprets his minor-league success into big-league outcomes. 

The White Sox, all advised, have two prospects on MLB Pipeline’s prime 100 checklist, with shortstop Colson Montgomery and Colas at Nos. 57 and 95, respectively. But Chicago additionally sports activities some younger and confirmed gamers already on its major-league roster, whereas different skills are anticipated to be referred to as up or obtain elevated enjoying time as quickly as this coming season. 

Outfielder Eloy Jiménez loved a 140 OPS+ season final 12 months and now, with Andrew Benintendi manning left discipline, he’ll seemingly get reps in proper discipline earlier than the White Sox give him seems at designated hitter. The 26-year-old Jimenez is projected by ZiPS to report a 128 wRC+ in 2023, maintaining a lot of the identical manufacturing we have now seen from the outfielder since his 2019 rookie season. 

Andrew Vaughn was one of many few White Sox gamers who didn’t take a step again final 12 months, and he’s anticipated to be a breakout candidate for 2023. Set to enter his age-25 season, Vaughn will proceed to get the chance to make first base his dwelling in Chicago following the departure of Abreu, who signed with the Astros in November. Vaughn will look to construct off his 17-homer, 111-OPS+ season and be a part of an esteemed checklist of profitable Chicago first basemen. 

The White Sox expertise rankings favor major-league prepared and prospect place gamers. But the rankings will not be as variety on the pitching facet. 

Keep an eye fixed out for right-hander Norge Vera, who registered a 1.88 ERA throughout eight begins and 24 innings in Single-A final 12 months. He struggled to report those self same outcomes after promotions to high-A and Double-A, however his fastball has topped out at 100 mph prior to now. If the White Sox can proceed creating Vera to maximise his stuff, he might develop into a middle-of-the-rotation starter for Chicago.

Score breakdown:

Big-league place gamers: 7 (out of 10)  

Big-league pitchers: 2 (out of 10)

Prospect place gamers: 3 (out of 5)  

Prospect pitchers: 1 (out of 5) 

Deesha Thosar is an MLB author for FOX Sports. She beforehand coated the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

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