The Cubs have promised that the team has a pipeline of great prospects coming to save the franchise. But until a player actually reaches the majors, and then performs at a high level, it is just talk.
Even the best profiles, the best scouts, the best minor league instructors, fail in their assessments of young players.
The White Sox had similar hopes with a large group of outfield prospects. So far, it has been a bitter disappointment. In the last few seasons, scouting publications and the team felt the strength of the White Sox organization were their outfield prospects: Jared Mitchell,
25, has long been viewed as the outfielder who would make the first
impact, but his struggles now have him off the radar; Courtney Hawkins, 20, who struggled in Class A last year; Trace Thompson, 23, and Keenyn Walker, 23.
These touted prospects have not progressed enough to help the major league team, so the White Sox changed course to trade for a new right
fielder and new center fielder in the past seven months.
In Baseball America's latest ranking of top 10 White Sox prospects,
none of the top six are outfielders. At the top of the list, three of
the first four listed figure to get an opportunity in the major leagues.
Top prospect Jose Abreu,
26, who was signed in the offseason for $68 million as the heir
apparent at first base, is more like a free agent expected to contribute from day one. No. 2 prospect,
24-year-old pitcher Erik Johnson, appears to be a lead candidate to take over two available rotation spots.
Matt Davidson, a third baseman obtained from the Diamondbacks for closer Addison Reed, is the long term solution for the black hole that has been third base since Bret Morel's back collapsed his career.
The White Sox will not hesitate to upgrade any position, including in the infield. Marcus Semien debuted last season for a short stint and he impressed a few observers. He can play several infield positions. Micah Johnson isn't in the major league plans this season, but the
23-year-old is coming fast. He not only was the Southern League playoffs
MVP after leading Double-A Birmingham to the title in 2013, he led all
minor league players with 84 steals. In 77 games to start the season at
Class A Kannapolis, he had a .422 on-base percentage and nearly scored a
run a game.
The White Sox organization has always been dismissed in their lack of pitching prospects. But in the past several years, the team has brought a a slew of home grown pitching talent. GM Rick Hahn had the luxury of trading No. 4 starter Hector Santiago to obtain starting CF Adam Eaton. He did so because he has other young pitchers, like Johnson, ready to make the next step. Among that group is 23-year-old
right-hander Chris Beck, who had his own breakthrough season in 2013.
The second-round pick in 2012 advanced as high as Double-A last season,
posting 3.07 ERA over 26 starts at two separate levels.
He may be another September call-up to be prepped for 2015.
Prospects are like speculative penny stocks. Big hit or big miss. But the White Sox seem to have more major league ready prospects than the Cubs. And the White Sox are not afraid to promote their prospects quickly to fill needs on their major league roster. It would be no surprise that if Beckham does not get off to a fast start at second, Semien could take his place.
