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The Chicago White Sox are looking for outfield depth. Here’s a look at some of the top prospects throughout the team’s minor-league system.

lamond pope, chicago tribune
·5 min read

Players throughout the Chicago White Sox minor-league system were champing at the bit.

After the 2020 season was canceled because of the pandemic, minor-league baseball returned last week.

Count Chris Getz, the Sox assistant general manager for player development, among the many people excited to see how it plays out.

“Just to see the pure enjoyment and passion and I’m sure even a level of relief that they are back out there doing something that they set out to do, and that’s playing professional baseball,” Getz said during a conference call Wednesday.

For each player, it’s a chance to grow — and an opportunity to impress. The major-league team, after all, is currently without two-thirds of its starting outfield with the injuries to Luis Robert and Eloy Jiménez.

“To replace two guys like that is certainly a difficult thing,” Getz said. “However, it does provide opportunity for players.”

The Sox have looked outside the organization, as the recent signing of Brian Goodwin to a minor-league deal shows.

Getz said it’s also a chance for players already in the organization to step up, such as Blake Rutherford, Gavin Sheets and Luis González — before he landed on the injured list with a back issue that manager Tony La Russa said the Sox were checking out.

“They don’t have a lot of playing time under their belt based on the obvious here, but I feel like their game is not too far off,” Getz said. “They just need to continue to go out there and play, and if they’re called upon, I feel like they can be productive.”

Rutherford, 24, is 4-for-21 with one home run and three RBIs in six games for Triple-A Charlotte.

Sheets, drafted in the second round by the Sox in 2017, homered and drove in four for Charlotte in the May 4 season opener. A natural first baseman, he saw time that night in right field.

“We’re happy with the progress of Gavin,” Getz said. “I know he was disappointed not going to the alternate site (last season). Thankfully we were able to get him to instructional league and (were) able to expose him to the outfield.

“We’ll continue to put him out there, both right and left field. A hard-working kid, without question. Not fearful of playing the outfield. Solid defender at first base. We like the zone awareness, which Gavin brings to the table. And we know that he’s got power.”

Sheets, 25, is 8-for-26 with one homer and seven RBIs in six games. González, 25, has spent time on the taxi squad with fellow outfielder Nick Williams.

MLB.com ranks Rutherford, Sheets and González as the Nos. 10-12 prospects in the organization. The site ranks outfielder Micker Adolfo No. 8. Adolfo, 24, is at Double-A Birmingham.

“With Micker, he’s been limited with injuries,” Getz said. “He did well at the alternate site. I saw him, personally, drive the ball to right-center and center field, and if he stays with that approach, we’re really going to be able to tap into the power that he naturally has, which is his strength.

“Plate discipline is a key factor for him, among other players. Defensively, he’s got the big arm, he can handle the corner outfield (spots) well. So it’s just a matter of getting out there and playing.”

Adolfo is 3-for-18 with one home run and three RBIs in five games.

There was a lot of buzz during the offseason after the Sox reached terms with top international prospect Yoelqui Céspedes. At No. 4, he’s the highest-ranked outfield prospect in the organization who isn’t in the majors (first baseman/left fielder Andrew Vaughn is the team’s top prospect).

Céspedes, 23, had his start delayed while going through the immigration process for visa approval.

“He’s obviously a guy that is worthy of paying attention to, but he hasn’t played professional baseball,” Getz said. “He hasn’t been to an affiliate. So we certainly want to be patient with that.

“But he’s an exciting player. He’s got power, he’s got a nice approach at the plate and just an overall feel for the game. So he’s a guy to keep an eye on.”

There are other up-and-coming outfielders in the organization to watch out for.

“Benyamin Bailey, a younger player, he’s a guy that should be watched closely,” Getz said.

Bailey, 19, is at Class A Kannapolis, where he is 2-for-18 with one home run in five games. He is the No. 16 prospect in the organization.

“He’s got some power as well and a feel for putting together an at-bat,” Getz said.

Luis Mieses, 20, is at Class A Winston-Salem, where he is 5-for-22 with one home run and three RBIs in five games.

“He’s got a very quick, strong swing, uses the whole field,” Getz said.

Getz listed Caberea Weaver, 21, as another player who’s “fun to watch.”

“He plays an aggressive center field, he’s got some gap power,” Getz said of Weaver, who is 4-for-24 in six games at Kannapolis.

Getz also said to keep an eye on Chase Krogman, 20, who is playing at Kannapolis. The No. 29 prospect in the organization, Krogman is 4-for-8 with a home run and two RBIs. He’s currently on the injured list.

“We’ve got a handful of outfielders, some further along in their careers than others,” Getz said. “But exciting nonetheless to be able to watch these guys go out there and compete.”