Sergio Santos of the Chicago White Sox throws during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
At least the Birmingham Barons are winning.
The Chicago White Sox season is an unmitigated disaster. The AAA Charlotte Knights are also dismal. To get even a smidgen of hope, Sox fans will have to look at the AA Birmingham Barons. They currently reside in first place in the North Division of the Southern League. Additionally, they have some guys who may be able to help the parent team next season. But first, let’s get something out of the way. The White Sox will have to win in spite of their owner. And that’s a huge task.
White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf Seems to have No Self-Awareness or Pride in His On-Field Product
Jerry recently made a push to get a billion dollars of public money to help build a new stadium in the Chicago Loop area. Maybe a little more pride in his team would have improved his chances for public funding.
Putting a team like the White Sox in a new stadium is like serving a cow pie on a fancy plate. Despite the improved presentation, don’t expect better public reception to the product.
There’s not too Much to be Enthused About at the Major League Level
Luis Robert is a five-tool guy, but those tools are seldom available. How helpful he will be going forward is debatable. The Andew Benintendi contract looks like a disaster. Andrew Vaughn has done a serious turtle, and Eloy Jimenez just isn’t a difference maker. The Sox positional players have a collective WAR of -3.6! I almost never use exclamation points, but that stat is just stunning.
Before going on, I should throw Sox catcher, Korey Lee a bone. Korey is currently hitting .273 with three home runs. On this team, that makes him a right-handed Babe Ruth. He’s second among the team’s position players when it comes to WAR with a mark of 0.3. Who’s first? A guy named Yoan Moncada, who went down with a leg injury some time ago.
There is a little more hope with the pitching. Garrett Crotchet may be a building block for the future, but the threat of injury is ever present. Erick Fedde looks to have been a good free agent signing, but he will probably be moving on before the trade deadline.
The bullpen is comprised of a bunch of fungible guys. Only Michael Kopech seems to have high-end stuff. If the Sox can get somebody else to believe that, Kopech could be gone.
The Cupboard is almost Bare at Charlotte
When it comes to expectations regarding Sox top prospect, Colson Montgomery, the Sox fans may have to go all Larry David and curb their enthusiasm. Montogomery is hitting .230 with six homers and an OPS of .794 in Charlotte. Beyond Montgomery, there’s not much help coming from Charlotte.
The Talent is in Birmingham
I saw a podcast that had Sergio Santos, Birmingham Barons manager, as a guest. He was actually impressive. I see a potential manager at the major league level in Santos. You might remember him as a former Sox closer.
There are some pitching prospects to keep an eye on in Birmingham. The prize is Drew Thorpe, who was obtained in the Dylan Cease trade and is dominating. Thorpe has a record of 5-1 with an ERA 1.01. He has struck out 33 and walked nine. He will be in Chicago later this season or next.
Another pitcher to keep an eye on is Mason Adams. In five starts, he has struck out 36 while walking only three. Lefty, Ky Bush has struck out 32 while walking 13 in 27.1 innings.
As for position players, third baseman Bryan Ramos has just been called to the White Sox. Catcher, Edgar Quero, is only 21 years old and has an OPS of .807 with five home runs while improving defensively. And that’s about it.
Looks like Jerry Reinsdorf may have to spend on free agency. Sometimes I break myself up.
