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The Chicago White Sox will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking for sources of cheap production. It might also take older players longer to rebound from a long layoff meaning we could see more injuries and more roster moves. We might even see expanded rosters, at least in the early going.
One important question to ask is: How will a long layoff affect prospects? One has to assume the more advanced prospects prior to the work stoppage will be at an advantage, while the more “toolsy but raw” type could be hurt with the lack of repetition and in-game action; throwing or hitting in simulated environments just doesn’t match up to the real thing. Many prospects will have to work jobs during the pandemic just to make ends meet, while players who signed for large bonuses will have an advantage. Other prospects that lack strong discipline and commitment to their craft could struggle to stay in shape.
We won’t really know what the layoff impact will have on baseball in general until things start ramping up. But we do know that a strong prospect pool will continue to be an important element for a successful baseball franchise. We're looking at the Top 10 (or more) dynasty prospects in each organization with an eye to discovering which organizations are best positioned to succeed with their player development when games resume. Make sure to check out all of our prospect content, including Top 50 for 2020 and Top 250 for Dynasty Leagues.
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Quick Synopsis
This system doesn’t have the depth that others do but it features perhaps the most impressive group of high-ceiling, nearly-MLB-ready prospects in baseball. Luis Robert could be an absolute beast for the Sox -- and fantasy managers -- for years to come.
1. Luis Robert, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 3
2020 Prospect Rank: 1
2020 LEVEL: MLB
MLB ETA: 2020
Robert was poised to break camp with the White Sox at the end of spring training but then we all know what happened… When the baseball world resumes, he should still be ready to be a regular contributor. Robert’s swing-and-miss tendencies and streaky nature will likely diminish some of the value from his bat during his rookie season but he has other-worldly bat speed and impressive foot speed. He’ll be a 30-30 (HR-SB) threat from the get-go.
2. Andrew Vaughn, 1B
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 10
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
Vaughn is very close to being MLB-ready with just 55 games of pro experience under his belt. However, the presence of both Jose Abreu and Edwin Encarnacion means that the club likely won’t feel compelled to push him too hard in 2020. Vaughn should be an offensive juggernault with the ability to hit for both average and power.
3. Nick Madrigal, 2B
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 19
2020 Prospect Rank: 14
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
We haven’t seen a player like Madrigal debut for quite some time. Playing 120 games in 2019 between three levels, the young second baseman struck out just 16 times. He’ll likely never be much of a home run threat but he has a chance to regularly hit .300 with 20-30 stolen bases. And, with some very potent bats likely hitting behind him, he should score a ton of runs.
4. Michael Kopech, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 30
2020 Prospect Rank: 39
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Kopech is a rare player that probably benefits from the extended layoff as it gives him even more time to ramp back up after missing significant time due to Tommy John surgery. If he comes back with the same stuff he had pre-surgery then he has a chance to be a top-of-the-rotation arm for the Sox with upper-90s heat and a great breaking ball.
5. Jonathan Stiever, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 181
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
Stiever came out of nowhere in 2019 to become the second-best pitching prospect in the Sox system. He pitched at two A-ball levels and posted a K-BB of 154-27 while showcasing an ability to both throw strikes and miss bats. His command still needs work, though, and he allows too many hittable pitches at times. Stiever could reach the Majors with three above-average pitches.
6. Dane Dunning, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 189
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Dunning, like Michael Kopech above, was very close to establishing himself as an MLB pitcher when Tommy John surgery derailed his ascent in 2018. He’s not the flashiest pitcher so people tend to underrate him but he has a chance to have four above-average pitches with above-average control and the ability to generate a ton of ground balls.
7. Zack Collins, C
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Collins is an intriguing prospect — especially in on-base leagues — because of his ability to hit for power while taking a generous number of walks. On the downside, he’s not much of an athlete so he could struggle to catch enough to qualify at the position in most leagues and his swing-and-miss tendencies take a big bite out of his overall offensive value.
8. Matthew Thompson, RHP
2020 LEVEL: A-
MLB ETA: 2023
Thompson is an interesting wild card. The young pitcher showed flashes of potential as an amateur and is very athletic, which provides hope that he’ll be able to translate his raw talent into significant MLB contributions.
9. Micker Adolfo, OF
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
It feels like Adolfo has been around forever. Given $1.6 million back in 2013, this hulking slugger’s rise through the system has been slowed by injuries and a rudimentary approach at the plate. Still just 23, Adolfo remains a boom-or-bust player who has shown brief glimmers of starting to figure things out over the past two seasons. There is 30+ home run pop in his bat if he can make enough contact — but it’s a big “if.”
10. Andrew Dalquist, RHP
2020 LEVEL: A-
MLB ETA: 2022
Dalquist is another intriguing young arm in the White Sox system. He’s athletic like Thompson above but he’s not quite as physical and is on the smallish side for a pitcher at just 6-foot-1. But he has a chance to reach the Majors with four average-or-better offerings with a high-powered offense behind him.
