Article:Chicago White Sox 2008 Top Ten Prospects

Judging by the talent on this page, this year won't be the only, (or longest) year on the South Side in the foreseeable future. The Cubbies will have bragging rights in the Windy City for a while it appears.


 * 1) Aaron Poreda, 21, LHP, first round 2007

Huge (6'6", 240). Throws unusually hard for a lefty, has been clocked at 100 mph, best pitch however is his sinker. Former high school football star, durability is not a concern and he should have little difficulty remaining a hard thrower. Plus makeup and workability. Didn't concentrate on pitching full time til college so he's still a little raw mechanically and in his game management. Working on slider and change. Throws from a 3/4 slot, making consistency on his breaking pitches difficult. Sox are working on bringing him more over the top which should give him the consistency they are looking for but comes with the risk of losing some off the fastball. Had a brief bout with a tired arm mid-season but likely more as a result of increased innings, he threw well in Instructional league with no pain. Sox will start him in Class A and will decide then if his future is as a starter or reliever, if the latter he could see Chicago by year's end.


 * 2) Lance Broadway, 24, RHP, first round, 2005

Made ML debut in September, going 1-1 with a 0.87 ERA in ten innings. Has four pitches with a plus change being his best offering. Plus curve as well with average fastball and change and also has experimented with a cutter. A gym rat with a solid work ethic durability is no concern. Fastball barely average, if the command on his other pitches are off he will find himself in trouble. Control suffered last year, averaging almost five walks per nine innings. Penciled in as Chicago's #5 starter in 2008.


 * 3) Jack Egbert, 24, RHP, thirteenth round, 2004

Second in Southern League in wins (12) and strikeouts (165) in '07. Plus change, fast worker who is not afraid to pitch inside despite lacking a good fastball. Plus change and potentially plus slider with below average fastball, a groundball pitcher who rarely runs up high pitch counts. Triple A to start 2008, possible could see time in Chicago at some point.


 * 4) Jose Martinez, 19, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, free agent, 2006

Best position prospect in organization although still very raw. Uses whole field well for someone as inexperienced although does have a tendency to pull, especially against lefties. Runs well with good speed for a big guy although he will lose some as he fills out, (6'5", 170). Can play CF now although projects to be limited to right as he fills out. Plus arm and power potential. Low Class A


 * 5) Chris Getz, 24, lefthanded hitting second baseman, fourth round, 2004

Missed two months with a leg injury. Strong fundamentals all round although has no plus tool. Average speed, walks more than he strikes out. Footwork and range questionable which likely limits him to second base, not a basestealer. No power, five career homers in 202 games above A. Triple A in '08, with no incumbent in Chicago to start the season has an outside shot of winning the ML job.


 * 6) John Ely, 21, RHP, third round, 2007

Average fstball with good movement, improving curve and plus change. Not big (6'1" 190) with a max effort delivery gives the Sox concerns on durability. High Class A


 * 7) Juan Silverio, 17, righthanded hitting and throwing shortstop, free agent, 2007

Potential five tool player, strong upper body with a good arm and good speed and footwork. Doesn't project as a basestealing threat although he does show good instincts on the bases. Depending on growth may be forced to third or the outfield. Will make pro debut in extended spring training before reporting to Rookie Level in June.


 * 8) John Shelby Jr., 22, lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing outfielder, fifth round, 2006

Son of former Major Leaguer John Shelby. Showed unexpected power in first full season with 60 extra base hits. Good onbase projection has him slotted as a #2 hitter, if power continues to develop can move down in the order. Drafted as a second baseman moved to CF this year, needs to work on lengthening his arm and on his routes. High Class A in '08


 * 9) Adam Russell, 24, RHP, sixth round, 2004

Bigger than Poreda, (6'8", 250). Average fastball with an improving curve and questionable change. Hitters lay off the offspeed stuff knowing he shies away if he's out of the strikezone. Mechanically gets out of sync at times because of his size and is understandably a slow worker. Had a good 2006 but regressed somewhat in 2007, in response the Sox sent him to the Arizona Fall League where they had him working as a reliever and he did very well where he will remain. The Sox would ideally like him to get some additional experience in Triple A but he could win a ML bullpen job with a good spring.


 * 10) Kyle McCullough, 22, RHP, first round, 2006

A strong guy with a plus work ethic, McCullough is as dependable as they come. An average fastball with good movement combined with a plus change gets him a lot of groundballs and low pitch counts. A former shortstop, McCullough knows his way around the diamond and is a good competitor. Has a tendency to get long in his delivery, if he is getting hit almost at times appears afraid to throw strikes. Double A in 2008


 * ''Kelsdad provides the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America, contributing text by Phil Rogers

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