Justin Jirschele managed most of the high prospects within the Chicago White Sox farm system final season at Double-A Birmingham.
“The talent speaks for itself — on paper and on the field,” Jirschele, whom the Sox just lately promoted to handle Triple-A Charlotte, mentioned throughout a video convention Friday. “For me, there’s a ton of optimism and a ton of excitement with what’s coming.”
Some gamers, reminiscent of Oscar Colás, might be known as as much as the massive leagues very quickly. The outfielder is anticipated to compete for the opening in proper subject. Sean Burke is an choice to offer pitching depth. And shortstop Colson Montgomery, the staff’s first-round choose in 2021, continues to work his method by the minors.
All three will probably be at Sox spring coaching as non-roster invitees. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 15, whereas the primary full-squad exercise is Feb. 20 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Here is a more in-depth have a look at the trio of prospects.
Colson Montgomery
From late April to mid-July, all Montgomery did was get on base.
The group’s high prospect in keeping with Baseball America put collectively a 50-game on-base streak with Class A Kannapolis and Class A Winston-Salem. He posted a .344/.448/.519 slash line in the course of the stretch.
“As far as makeup and tools, the biggest thing that jumps out for me is how natural things come to him on both sides of the baseball, offensively and defensively,” Jirschele mentioned. “He’s always comfortable in the sense of the game doesn’t speed up on him, physically or mentally.”
Montgomery, 20, slashed .274/.381/.429 with 17 doubles, 11 residence runs and 47 RBIs in 96 video games final season at Kannapolis (45 video games), Winston-Salem (37 video games) and Birmingham (14 video games). He joined the Barons in late August, participating in “Project Birmingham” as a few of the group’s high prospects spent the ultimate weeks of the 2022 season at Double A.
Baseball America ranks Montgomery No. 39 on its listing of the highest 100 prospects.
“He’s always eager to learn because he knows that’s how he’s going to get himself better on the mental side of the game, and that will ultimately help him physically as well as he moves on,” Jirschele mentioned. “He’s just got a mature approach about everything he does, especially for a kid who is not 21.”
Oscar Colás
Colás’ 2022 started by agreeing to a take care of the Sox that was introduced in the course of the worldwide signing interval in January. His yr included representing the group on the All-Star Futures Game and homering at three minor-league ranges.
The group’s No. 2 prospect in keeping with Baseball America, Colás’ 2023 would possibly embody turning into the beginning proper fielder for the Sox.
The 24-year-old had a mixed .314/.371/.524 slash line with 23 residence runs and 79 RBIs in 117 video games final season with Winston-Salem (59 video games), Birmingham (51) and Charlotte (seven).
“He’s a guy who has really good hands at the plate, certainly has power, has a good arm, he loves to compete and plays passionately,” assistant normal supervisor/participant improvement Chris Getz mentioned throughout a video convention on Jan. 31. “He has a chance to be an impactful major-league player.”
Baseball America ranks Colás as its No. 89 prospect.
“Everything he does is next level,” Jirschele mentioned. “He can carry a staff each offensively and defensively. He brings a ton of vitality, he’s a competitor, he desires to win.
“He shows up every day wanting to win. His teammates love him. He’s a spectacular talent and excited to see what’s in store for him coming up.”
Sean Burke
Last yr, Davis Martin emerged as a reliable arm when the Sox wanted extra pitching. This season, the Sox would possibly look to Burke, a third-round choose in 2021, to help in that division.
“He’s got a power fastball, he can land an above-average breaking ball (and) his slider continues to get better,” Getz mentioned of Burke, the Sox’s No. 5 prospect per Baseball America. “He’s a man that’s been working laborious along with his changeup as nicely. He’s a man that’s going to have the ability to add innings.
“Last year he had a very productive year. Certainly one of our better starters in the minor leagues and worked his way up to Triple A. He’s a guy that we view as a rotation piece fairly soon and can be for the foreseeable future. We’re excited for Sean’s 2023.”
The 6-foot-6 Burke, 23, went 4-10 with a 4.75 ERA and 137 strikeouts whereas beginning in all however one among his 27 appearances final season for Winston-Salem (5 begins), Birmingham (19 begins) and Charlotte (two begins). He was the Southern League Pitcher of the Month in August with a 2.57 ERA in 5 begins, hanging out 38 in 21 innings throughout that span for the Barons.
“Big, strong, power arm and another guy, on the pitching side of it, who the game is never too fast for him,” Jirschele mentioned. “He’s capable of sluggish it down. He’s a fierce competitor. He’s obtained nice secondary stuff to go together with the great fastball.
“He’s that type (of) guy where it’s: ‘I’m out here. I’m better than you. Here I come. I’m going to give you my best stuff, regardless of how I’m feeling this day and this inning, this pitch.’ Just a fierce competitor and looking for him to continue to propel in the right direction on his path to Chicago.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com