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February 2, 2009

Future Shock

White Sox Top 11 Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

top 11 prospects

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Team Audit | DT Cards | PECOTA Cards | Depth Chart

Five-Star Prospects
1. Gordon Beckham, SS
Four-Star Prospects
2. Aaron Poreda, LHP
3. Brandon Allen, 1B
Three-Star Prospects
4. Dayan Viciedo, 3B
5. Tyler Flowers, C
6. John Shelby, CF
7. Jordan Danks, CF
8. Chris Getz, 2B
Two-Star Prospects
9. Clayton Richard, LHP
10. Brent Morel, 3B
11. Jose Martinez, RF

Just Missed: Dexter Carter, RHP; Jeff Marquez, RHP; Juan Silverio, SS

Ranking Challenges: Beckham is a first-rank talent who is head and shoulders above the others, and while Poreda has tons of potential, he also comes with a fair share of uncertainty. Allen received outstanding reviews from scouts, especially those who saw him as he was finishing up last season at Double-A Birmingham, and that gives him the edge over Viciedo, who brings both significant positives and negatives to the table. Flowers rates as an easy fifth-best, and slots six through 11 are more or less a toss-up of a half-dozen players of similar promise.

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27 comments have been left for this article.

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Dave T

(617)

Kevin - apparently Guillen said over the weekend that Beckham can't stay at shortstop. I guess he's clearly the White Sox top prospect even as the waterboy though.

Feb 02, 2009 08:13 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

There an interesting question related to this, which is, are Ozzie's expectations for a defensive shortstop more than normal because he was such a great one?

Feb 02, 2009 09:31 AM

alskor

(39403)

Juan Uribe says "yes."

Ozzie was on his case pretty bad despite some good numbers (minus his last full season).

Feb 02, 2009 17:52 PM

rating: 0

DGBL

(32998)

At the same time, Kenny Williams said that Beckham will play SS in the minors this year.

Feb 02, 2009 10:33 AM

rating: 0

bberdl20

(8359)

Why wouldn't the scouts be ready for a Ryan Sweeney encore? He is not one of the top CF prospects over the last few years but he will be around league average with the bat and above average with the glove at a premium defensive position. There are quite a few teams out there that have started a less talented CF than Sweeney. I'd love it if Jordan Danks performed as well as Ryan Sweeney.

Feb 02, 2009 08:36 AM

rating: 0

FalcoT

(47044)

Is Josh Fields too old or not good?

Feb 02, 2009 09:02 AM

rating: 0

edman8585

(19796)

Too old. He's 26.

Feb 02, 2009 09:51 AM

rating: 0

mswain784

(37716)

Yes.

Feb 02, 2009 09:56 AM

rating: 1

Dr. Dave

(1652)

So, does T-Bone Shelby's kid have a derivative nickname? "Brisket"? "Porterhouse"? "Flat-iron"?

Feb 02, 2009 09:42 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

Well, since you asked, believe it or not, it's Trey-Bone, as he's John Shelby III.

Feb 02, 2009 10:19 AM

achase

(26956)

that was 'fun fact' worthy!

Feb 02, 2009 12:58 PM

rating: 0

mswain784

(37716)

Can you give a one sentence evaluation of Dexter Carter?

Feb 02, 2009 09:55 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

Big guy, throws hard, needs to learn how to be a pitcher and not a thrower.

Feb 02, 2009 10:20 AM

lapaman

(23543)

Is Johnny Nuñez any good?

Feb 02, 2009 12:43 PM

rating: 0

rusty1098

(26409)

I agree with your assessment of Gross Pointe Blank. Now, back to baseball :)

Feb 02, 2009 12:47 PM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

Totally agree. Love that movie.

Feb 02, 2009 20:11 PM

Arrian

(25572)

Great flick. One of my favorites. I'm generally a Cusack fan, and I dig dark comedy, so there ya go.

Have you seen War, Inc.? I've heard some good things...

Feb 03, 2009 05:51 AM

rating: 0

West21

(16224)

I expect another year like 07 but I'll gladly take it if can get them another Gordon Beckham.

Feb 02, 2009 13:06 PM

rating: 0

Pat Senechal

(36877)

You might want to adjust Flower's entry... I doubt McCann is his biggest roadblock anymore.

Feb 02, 2009 18:10 PM

rating: -1

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

You might want to read that again, as it says he's not blocked by McCann anymore.

Feb 02, 2009 20:12 PM

amoaba

(23357)

What about Thome's impending departure after '09 for an arrival at DH for Allen?

Feb 02, 2009 19:02 PM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

That might be rushing it a bit, I could see him being two years out, not one.

Feb 02, 2009 20:12 PM

Justice

(21233)

It appears that the Sox have more position players among their elite prospects than they have had in years. 7 of the top 10 talents under 25 are position players. Is it my imagination or has Kenny Williams slightly altered organizational philosophy from the days when the Sox would draft pitchers in the first seven or so rounds of the amateur draft?

Feb 02, 2009 21:36 PM

rating: 0

RandyKutcherHair

(25282)

How does Gordon Beckham's potential compare to that of Tim Beckham?

Feb 03, 2009 05:52 AM

rating: 0

ClubberLang

(4978)

I think from what Kevin's said in the past, Tim has better tools and a higher ceiling, but Gordon's no slouch. I think another part of it is defensive -- Tim is more likely to be able to stick at shortstop.

Feb 03, 2009 09:22 AM

rating: 0

PARKMASTER

(46723)

How is Jon Gilmore the first "just missed" for the Braves, but not even listed for the White Sox, despite the Braves having a better system? Doesn't make much sense.

Feb 04, 2009 14:37 PM

rating: 0

hotstatrat

(22689)

Jeff Bailey by most projections appears to be a viable option at first base and DH.

According to John Perroto's report the previous Sunday, Julio Lugo is beefed up and rearing to win his job back - which makes Lowrie a more viable option for third base.

Feb 10, 2009 11:30 AM

rating: 0

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Caribbean Series 2009 (02/02)

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