Atlanta Braves players and coaches celebrate after clinching their sixth consecutive NL East title by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
3 takeaways from White Sox prospect showings this spring
This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox Minor League players were dressed and ready to represent.
It wasn’t the entire system, of course. But a strong showing of their top-rated prospects had gathered at Sloan Park on March 15 for a Spring Breakout game against the Cubs.
“Putting that lineup together was really exciting,” said Justin Jirschele, the Triple-A Charlotte manager and the White Sox manager for Spring Breakout. “There’s a lot of guys that are going to go to affiliates and hit at the top three [spots] that are in this lineup and hitting toward the bottom.
“Top to bottom, it’s an exciting lineup. Guys on the bench are also exciting.”
Rain, cold and hail in Mesa canceled this showcase, but the knowledge gained about these young players didn’t disappear. Here are three important facts concerning the White Sox system, which is ranked 20th by MLB Pipeline.
Nastrini and Leasure might be a Dodgers’ regret
Pitching coach Ethan Katz shared a conversation he had with Andrew Benintendi from early in camp, when the left fielder named Jordan Leasure (No. 18 prospect) as the most impressive hurler he faced during live BP. Leasure should be a darn-near lock to break camp with the team, and Nick Nastrini (No. 8) has made just as strong of a case.
If the right-handers somehow aren’t in Chicago on Thursday, they won’t be far removed from a Major League opportunity. But they should be in Chicago. When Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly went to the Dodgers at the 2023 Trade Deadline, the White Sox received a potential closer in Leasure and a frontline rotation piece in Nastrini.
“Actually, I’ve been more impressed than what I expected,” Katz said. “Just by how they’ve pitched, their professionalism, how they carry themselves. You’d think they’d been here up in the big leagues for a while.”
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