With Spring Training right around the corner, White Sox fans will soon be able to see prospects such as Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech in action. Obviously these three, along with Reynaldo Lopez, Zack Collins, and Carson Fulmer, will get the most attention, and rightfully so. They are expected change the direction of the franchise in just a few short years, with many fans and experts expecting them to contend for a title as soon as 2020.
While these headliners are going to gain the most attention, the Sox also have a plethora of talented prospects that fall outside of the top 100 that can still contribute in major ways down the road.
Let's take a look at the top 5 underrated prospects in the White Sox farm system.
Dunning was one of the throw in pieces in the Adam Eaton deal that brought top prospect Lucas Giolito to the South Side. Attending the University of Florida, he never had a real chance to prove himself as the rotation was so incredibly deep. More often than not he was used as a long relief bullpen piece. However, many scouts feel that he has the stuff to become a back-of-the-rotation starter in the MLB.
Dunning possesses a plus fastball with late running life, and a solid changeup. While his breaking ball is below average as of now, it has shown glimpses of becoming an average third pitch. If things go smoothly for Dunning, he could be a very solid anchor for the rotation as soon as 2019.
The White Sox typically do not draft prep level players. Spencer Adams is the exception to that rule. At 20-years-old, the righty possesses a plus fastball, solid slider, and and average curve and changeup.
Adams, a former 3-sport athlete, is incredibly athletic and has a loose delivery that he repeats with ease. His stuff is not going to blow anyone away, but he is always consistent and has a wide variety of pitches to choose from. While he is still a few years away from an MLB call up, Adams definitely has the talent to succeed in The Show. His ceiling is a solid No. 3 starter, while his floor should see him do no worse than a dependable No. 5.
Alec Hansen is probably the most intriguing player on this list, even though he only comes in at No. 3. Hansen was once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, but lost his control so badly at one point, that he saw himself banished to the Oklahoma Sooners' bullpen.
According to MLB.com Hansen is virtually unhittable when his stuff is on. Hansen has a fastball that can hit 99 with nasty movement, a 60 grade slider, a plus curve and the potential for an average changeup. While he is rated as the 14th best prospect in the Sox farm, he has the potential to shoot up those rankings with professional coaching and some experience in the minors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spjViA1NyLA
If (big if here) Hansen can consistently harness his control, he can likely turn into a frontline starter, with ace status not out of the realm of possibility.
Basabe was a throw in piece in the Chris Sale deal, although I use the term "throw in" very lightly here. A switch-hitter with 5-tool potential, Basabe can essentially do it all. He possesses plus speed and a plus arm, has surprising raw power and can hold his own in the outfield. The only thing holding him back is his approach at the plate. Basabe has yet to consistently hit for a decent enough average to get on base regularly, but will hopefully see improvement in that department as he gets older and sees more minor league pitching.
If Basabe can at least become an average hitter at the plate, he can potentially become the White Sox center fielder of the future. At just 20-years-old, Basabe has plenty of time to refine his skills and develop into the everyday player the Sox envision him to be.
5. Dane Dunning
Dunning was one of the throw in pieces in the Adam Eaton deal that brought top prospect Lucas Giolito to the South Side. Attending the University of Florida, he never had a real chance to prove himself as the rotation was so incredibly deep. More often than not he was used as a long relief bullpen piece. However, many scouts feel that he has the stuff to become a back-of-the-rotation starter in the MLB.
Dunning possesses a plus fastball with late running life, and a solid changeup. While his breaking ball is below average as of now, it has shown glimpses of becoming an average third pitch. If things go smoothly for Dunning, he could be a very solid anchor for the rotation as soon as 2019.
4. Spencer Adams
The White Sox typically do not draft prep level players. Spencer Adams is the exception to that rule. At 20-years-old, the righty possesses a plus fastball, solid slider, and and average curve and changeup.
Adams, a former 3-sport athlete, is incredibly athletic and has a loose delivery that he repeats with ease. His stuff is not going to blow anyone away, but he is always consistent and has a wide variety of pitches to choose from. While he is still a few years away from an MLB call up, Adams definitely has the talent to succeed in The Show. His ceiling is a solid No. 3 starter, while his floor should see him do no worse than a dependable No. 5.
3. Alec Hansen
Alec Hansen is probably the most intriguing player on this list, even though he only comes in at No. 3. Hansen was once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, but lost his control so badly at one point, that he saw himself banished to the Oklahoma Sooners' bullpen.
According to MLB.com Hansen is virtually unhittable when his stuff is on. Hansen has a fastball that can hit 99 with nasty movement, a 60 grade slider, a plus curve and the potential for an average changeup. While he is rated as the 14th best prospect in the Sox farm, he has the potential to shoot up those rankings with professional coaching and some experience in the minors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spjViA1NyLA
If (big if here) Hansen can consistently harness his control, he can likely turn into a frontline starter, with ace status not out of the realm of possibility.
2. Luis Alexander Basabe
Basabe was a throw in piece in the Chris Sale deal, although I use the term "throw in" very lightly here. A switch-hitter with 5-tool potential, Basabe can essentially do it all. He possesses plus speed and a plus arm, has surprising raw power and can hold his own in the outfield. The only thing holding him back is his approach at the plate. Basabe has yet to consistently hit for a decent enough average to get on base regularly, but will hopefully see improvement in that department as he gets older and sees more minor league pitching.
If Basabe can at least become an average hitter at the plate, he can potentially become the White Sox center fielder of the future. At just 20-years-old, Basabe has plenty of time to refine his skills and develop into the everyday player the Sox envision him to be.
