The Chicago White Sox 2017 season will be focused around the addition and development of top prospects.
While the team has moved Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, Chicago still has multiple valuable assets who could be dealt. Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, David Robertson and others are all expected to be traded prior to the end of the season.
If that is the case, then the White Sox should be able to acquire a number of talented young players. MLB Pipeline recently released their top 100 prospects, a list that saw six White Sox ranked. If/when the Sox moved any of their stars, they should see that number rise.
However almost as important as acquiring top prospects, is developing them.
The key to the White Sox rebuild will be how they handle their top stars. It's important for the White Sox to make sure that each of their top stars reach they're highest potential. Being a prospect is one thing, developing into a star is a whole other ball game.
That being said, not every prospect in the White Sox farm system is perfect. Not all of them are going to be able to reach super-stardom. Yet for some, 2017 will be a make-or-break season.
Whether it be proving they belong or proving they can handle the rigors of the MLB, some White Sox will go into 2017 with a major chip on their shoulder. The South Side is slowly turning into one of the best farm systems in the major leagues. Some prospects need to prove that they deserve to be apart of the team's future.
The upcoming season will give these players a chance to prove the doubters wrong, but more importantly, prove that they're a vital part of the Chicago White Sox rebuild.
Lucas Giolito - Starting Pitcher
Giolito was the crown jewel of the Adam Eaton trade. At the time he was the best pitching prospect in the MLB. MLB Pipeline now ranks Giolito as the 12th best prospect in baseball and the White Sox second best prospect. Giolito made his MLB debut last season, appearing in six games and 21.1 innings. He held an 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA and a 11/12 K/BB ratio. Giolito performed much better in the minor leagues holding a 25-15 record with a 2.73 ERA and a 397/123 K/BB ratio. In acquiring Giolito, the White Sox expected to land one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues. While he is still highly touted, some of his luster has worn off following a rough MLB debut. The 2017 season will allow the White Sox and their fans to see what they really got in Giolito. Is he a future ace, or another missed prospect? He will need to work prove that he can be a consistent starter and pitch at a high level. If so, he could be the team's next Chris Sale. If not, the Nationals could end up being the winners of the Eaton trade and the Sox future rotation would take a major hit.Carson Fulmer - Starting Pitcher?
Fulmer was the White Sox first round pick in the 2015 season, eighth overall. He is currently the White Sox fifth best prospect and the 71st best prospect in baseball. He struggled to live up to those expectations in his MLB debut, pitching to a 0-2 record with a 8.49 ERA and a 10/7 K/BB ratio over eight games. Fulmer performed better in the minor leagues, holding a 6-10 record with a 4.14 ERA and a 130/65 K/BB ratio. Fulmer is still a highly touted prospect, and one of the better pitchers in the White Sox system. However Fulmer needs to prove that he could stick in the rotation. With the team bringing in guys like Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech, the pitching rotation is running out of spots. Fulmer will have his opportunity to prove he deserves one in 2017.Analysts have already been speculating that Fulmer will be a long-term reliever for the White Sox. While the bullpen has become key in the MLB, it would be a disappointment if Fulmer ended up in the bullpen.
Fulmer has all the talent to be a front of the rotation starter. He just needs to put it all together in 2017. If he can't he could be approaching bust status quickly for the Chicago White Sox.
Zack Collins - Catcher?
Collins has been one of the rising stars in the White Sox farm system. After being drafted with the 10th pick in the 2016 MLB Draft he went on to have a successful rookie season, proving his power stroke. He is currently the White Sox sixth best prospect and the 81st best prospect in baseball. In 39 minor league games, Collins hit .244 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. Collins has one of the best power swings in the minor leagues. He was described as one of the best overall hitters in the 2016 MLB Draft. He will likely bat in the middle of the lineup for the White Sox and could push 25+ home runs upon his MLB arrival. The only question becomes: will he play first base or catcher? Collins was drafted as a catcher, but many have questioned his ability to stay behind the plate. The upcoming season will allow him to prove he deserves to stay at catcher. If he succeeds, he will likely be the team's catcher of the future. But if he fails, Chicago will likely target a top minor league catcher in trade talks; the Cardinals Carson Kelly was once named as an option. Zack Collins is a big part of the White Sox future. This season will allow for the front office and fans to see if that future will come at catcher or first base.Charlie Tilson - Center Fielder
Tilson was acquired in the Zach Duke trade prior to last year's Trade Deadline. He injured his hamstring in his MLB debut, putting him out for the entire season. The outfielder is currently the White Sox 10th best prospect. In 471 minor league games, Tilson hit .293 with 19 home runs, 154 RBIs and 89 stolen bases. Tilson is expected to be the team's starting center fielder in 2017. This upcoming season will give him an opportunity to prove he can remain there long-term. Beyond performance, it'll give him a chance to prove his health over the course of an entire MLB season. Tilson is likely the White Sox prospect to get the most playing time in 2017 at the MLB level. If he performs well, there's a chance he can be the Sox center fielder when the team is ready for their playoff push.Alec Hansen - Starting Pitcher
Out of all the prospects on this list, Alec Hansen might have the most to gain. After being drafted in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Hansen impressed by having a breakout debut season. In 12 minor league games and 54.2 innings Hansen pitched to a 2-1 record with a 1.32 ERA and an 81/20 K/BB ratio. Hansen is currently ranked as the White Sox 14th best prospect. However when MLB Pipeline releases their new team rankings he is sure to be listed much higher. Hansen is a rising star in the White Sox system. He has proven he has the ability to be a front-line starting pitcher. The White Sox farmhand will now have to prove he could face higher levels of competition. If he succeeds in AA and even AAA, there's a good chance he finds himself on the Top 100 prospect list. While Carson Fulmer may be falling out of the rotation, there's a chance that Hansen is working his way into it. He needs to prove himself in higher levels, but there's a chance the White Sox got themselves a steal in Alex Hansen.Courtney Hawkins - Outfielder
I wouldn't be shocked if most White Sox fans forgot who Courtney Hawkins was. After all, his most memorable moment was doing a back-flip following being drafted 13th overall in the 2012 MLB Draft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnibzRW0Cjc Outside of that impressive feat, Hawkins has really struggled during his professional career. In 468 minor league games, Hawkins has hit .227 with 67 home runs, 280 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. He has yet to get past Double A. Hawkins is still ranked as the 20th best prospect in the White Sox system. There is still some hope he could be the power hitter everyone expected him to. However he will need to prove himself in 2017. He isn't the prospect he once was, but he needs to prove he is still a prospect and not just a minor-leaguer. Hawkins has all the tools, he just needs to start producing on the diamond. The White Sox have already added six players to their top 30 prospects from the Chris Sale and Adam Eaton trades. As the team looks to move Jose Quintana, David Robertson and others, there will surely be more top 30 prospects joining the list. As more prospects join, Hawkins get pushed further and further down the list. Eventually he could be pushed all the way off. That is of course he realizes his potential in 2017. If he is able to turn his career around and prove he is still a prospect to be monitored, then he will likely remain with the Sox through their rebuild. If the White Sox outfielder fails once again, there's a chance the South Side and perhaps the MLB gives up on Courtney Hawkins. Think I missed anyone on this list? Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14
