[존 시켈스] 시카고 화이트삭스 유망주 TOP 20

거의 매해 최악의 팜을 갖고 있는 팀으로 꼽히는 시카고 화이트삭스인데...올해도 여지 없군요. B-이상의 등급을 받은 선수가 5명 뿐이군요.

1) Courtney Hawkins, OF, Grade B+: Pushed very fast to High-A two months out of high school, but held his own. Enormous power, some speed, good arm, has contact issues but considering his age I think he did just fine. Grade may be a notch aggressive given lack of refinement, but upside is huge.

2) Carlos Sanchez, 2B-SS, Grade B: Popup prospect won Carolina League batting title while looking great with the glove at age 20. May not develop power but does everything else quite well. 

3) Trayce Thompson, OF, Grade B-: Tremendous tools, good glove, ++power. Still strikes out too much, but has improved some and is still just 21/22. 

4) Erik Johnson, RHP, Grade B-: They were careful with his workload after some minor arm issues, but he performed well in both Low-A and High-A, profiles as a number three starter with fastball/slider and improving changeup. 

5) Scott Snodgress, LHP, Grade B-: Stanford lefty was much better in pro ball than in college after some mechanical tweaks. Still has some command issues but improving, like Johnson he looks like a mid-rotation starter with continued development. 

6) Keenyn Walker, OF, Grade C+: Borderline B-. Very, very fast and will take a walk, good glove, but another guy who strikes out too much. I think he might develop some power at some point but I'm not sure anyone else thinks that. 

7) Joey DeMichele, 2B, Grade C+: Arizona State product seems oddly overlooked, but showed good pop in pro ball (16 doubles, 10 triples, seven homers in 280 AB) and better than expected defense. 

8) Andre Rienzo, RHP, Grade C+: Season marred by PED suspension but he pitched well in Double-A. Nice low-90s fastball, secondary stuff has improved, still working on command. Fourth starter or a relief option down the line. From Brazil.

9) Keon Barnum, 1B, Grade C+: Power masher from high school in Tampa. Can he be another Fred McGriff or Ryan Howard? Maybe. He's got that kind of raw power but has to prove that his hitting skills will carry forward. Could also turn into Brian Daubach or Ben Broussard or Mike Jacobs. 

10) Chris Beck, RHP, Grade C+: Weight gain and mechanical issues dropped him to second round after first round buzz. Was OK but not great in the Pioneer League. Can he get his mid-90s fastball, slider, and changeup back to previous standards? Could be a bargain if he does.

11) Nestor Molina, RHP, Grade C+: I went out on a limb for this guy last year but got burned. A sore elbow was one factor and he wasn't as lucky, but I still think he can be a four/five starter or a useful reliever. Or maybe I'm just stubborn. FIP was a full run better than ERA, so maybe not.

12) Marcus Semien, SS, Grade C+: Another solid infielder, showed surprising pop in High-A and was very hot in the second half. Steady glove.

13) Kevan Smith, C, Grade C+: Strong, athletic catcher provides solid defense and moderate power in A-ball. Will get a chance to do the same in Double-A this year. 

14) Jared Mitchell, OF, Grade C: He's not the same guy he was before the 2010 ankle injury. Still runs well, but not as well as before. He's got some power and draws walks, but is very streaky, can't hit lefties, and makes Trayce Thompson look like Tony Gwynn with his strikeouts. Makeup remains well-regarded. At this point, if he becomes a fourth outfielder I'll be happy.

15) Tyler Saladino, SS, Grade C: Lost all his power in Double-A transition, but his plate discipline actually got better. Used speed better, remained steady glove. I think he can still be a useful bench guy.

16) Jhan Marinez, RHP, Grade C: Hard-thrower looks ready for a bullpen job, although command needs to get better for him to close.

17) Simon Castro, RHP, Grade C: Former top prospect in Padres system showed some signs of life in Double-A/Triple-A. Another hard-thrower who can help in relief or back-end starting job if the command is there.

18) Charlie Leesman, LHP, Grade C: Ground ball specialist had a good year in Triple-A, not overpowering but can eat innings as a back-of-rotation guy. 

19) Josh Phegley, C, Grade C: Not a great hitter, but excels at throwing our runners, 46% in Triple-A last year. 

20) Brandon Brennan, RHP, Grade C: Power arm from 2012 draft showed strong ground ball tendency in Pioneer League (2.80 GO/AO). Needs better command and a long way off, but could develop into mid-rotation starter or bullpen asset.

OTHERS: Sammy Ayala, C; Michael Blanke, C; Jordan Danks, OF; Mark Haddow, OF; Kyle Hansen, RHP; Brandon Hardin, RHP; Deunte Heath, RHP; Rangel Ravelo, 3B; Santos Rodriguez, LHP; Brady Shoemaker, OF; Juan Silverio, 3B; Jeff Soptic, RHP; Blake Tekotte, OF; Kevin Vance, RHP; Andy Wilkins, 1B.