The vibes are improving on the south side of Chicago. The team is noticeably more engaged and focused since interim manager Grady Sizemore took over, and the results on the field prove it. After two competitive games against the Cubs, the White Sox played their best game of the entire season last night, a 12-2 clubbing of the Yankees.
While things are trending in the right direction, the roster still needs to be optimized. Many players currently on the roster will not be here past this season. It is time to look forward to the future and give new players who could be on the team moving forward a chance. A couple of obvious candidates in the minor leagues stand out.
Edgar Quero
The most highly regarded player on this list, Edgar Quero is one of the best prospects in the White Sox organization and a top 100 prospect in all of baseball. The 21-year-old switch-hitting catcher is having a fantastic season. He has 16 doubles, 16 home runs, and an .855 OPS in 94 games between the AA and AAA levels. Since being promoted to AAA, he has a .329 batting average, four home runs, and a .957 OPS. Facing tougher competition has not phased him. It has only made him better.
Other factors come into play with Quero. For one, there is a valid argument against starting his service time in a lost season. Team control is a factor for a player of his caliber. However, getting a taste of the big leagues this season could also be important for his development. Quero will likely be the White Sox starting catcher of the future and needs to adjust to the MLB level at some point. That time could be now. Calling him up would provide a glimpse of the future and give people a reason to tune in for the rest of the season.
Tim Elko
Tim Elko is another White Sox prospect who has improved as the season continues. After a relatively uninspiring start to 2024 in AA, the organization promoted him to AAA a few weeks ago. Elko has responded. He already has five home runs in just 12 AAA games with an OPS over 1.000. He is mashing, and at 25 years old, the White Sox need to see what they have in him sooner rather than later. This call up would most impact Gavin Sheets, but Elko is younger and has more power. Elko could add another jolt to a rejuvenated team
Trey McGough
Trey McGough was acquired recently in the Eloy Jiménez trade with Baltimore. The 26-year-old left-handed reliever is having a solid season. In 31 combined AA and AAA games between the Orioles and White Sox farm systems, McGough has a 1.79 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 9.1 K/9. In six innings in AAA since the trade, McGough has a 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, and 9.0 K/9. He has been great, and it is not like the White Sox currently have much talent in their bullpen. McGough could be a part of the future. It is time to see what he can do.
Adisyn Coffey
Adisyn Coffey is similar to McGough in that he is having a strong season. The White Sox third-round pick in 2020, the 25-year-old Coffey has a 1.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 8.9 K/9 in 39 relief appearances between AA and AAA in 2024. He is another guy who could benefit from the White Sox lack of bullpen stability. Nobody in the bullpen has done enough to cement their spot, and Coffey has performed well enough to get a chance.
Aaron McGarity
Aaron McGarity has a 2.42 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 8.2 K/9 in 40 appearances in AAA this season. He is on the older side at 29, but recently departed Tanner Banks proves that one just needs an opportunity to carve out a productive MLB career regardless of age. McGarity is another bullpen arm and a potential reinforcement option for the White Sox.
The Future Is Now
While the White Sox will not be competing for anything this season, it is time to see what some younger players in the farm system can do with an opportunity. Next year and beyond is the priority. Every player they can evaluate now helps them get back to where they want to be faster: a winning baseball team.
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