Results tagged ‘ Toronto Blue Jays ’
Meet the newest White Sox
Tim Anderson poses with MLB commissioner Bud Selig after the White Sox made him the 17th overall selection Thursday (mlb.com).
Today is the final day of the 2013 MLB Draft, so we wanted to take some time to introduce some of the newest members of the White Sox organization.
FIRST ROUND:
SS Tim Anderson, East Central Community College (Miss.):
The White Sox started off their draft with a shortstop, taking Tim Anderson with the 17th overall pick. As we wrote Thursday in our draft preview, Anderson is an extremely athletic shortstop who has wowed scouts with his blazing speed. He is also a very good contact hitter, an important skill for a player with his quickness.
Though his arm strength has come into question, scouts say he possesses the range and the foot skills to stick at short long-term. The 19-year old’s skill set has drawn comparisons to Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes.
SECOND ROUND:
RHP Tyler Danish, Durant High School (Fla.):
The White Sox made high school righty Tyler Danish their second round pick (www.perfectgame.org).
With their second-round pick (55th overall), the White Sox selected right-hander Tyler Danish. According to scouts, Danish has an unorthodox delivery, attacking hitters from a low three-quarters arm slot. The benefits from this are deception and more movement, although some are worried that this sort of delivery could lead to a higher risk for injuries down the line.
The righty mixes a low 90s fastball with a good slider. Most scouts see him as a reliever, with good enough stuff to be a late-innings guy. There are also questions about whether or not he will sign, as he already has committed to pitch for the University of Florida next season.
DAY TWO BREAKDOWN:
On day two of the draft Friday, the White Sox selected eight players, six of whom are pitchers. However, Chicago’s first pick of the second day was OF Jacob May, who plays at Coastal Carolina University.
The Sox selected a pair of high schoolers–RHP Thaddius Lowry (fifth round) and INF Trey Michalczewski (seventh round).
The final day of the MLB Draft is currently taking place, and the White Sox will add 30 more players. Many of these men will make their way to Winston-Salem at some point, so here’s hoping that Chicago has a great day.
The Dash and Blue Rocks continue their three-game series at BB&T Ballpark tonight. Join me here for the Pregame Dash starting at 6:45, leading up to first pitch at 7. The game can also been seen live on My 48 in Winston-Salem, with Brian Boesch and Tim Bickford on the call there. Talk to you tonight!
- Rob
Thompson, Barton, Alums to Fall League
Taylor Thompson is heading to the Arizona Fall League along with five Dash alums (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).
The Arizona Fall League rosters have been released for this autumn’s action, and the Dash are represented well. Current Winston-Salem closer Taylor Thompson, along with five former Dash stars and current White Sox farmhands, will suit up for the Salt River Rafters.
Thompson will join outfielder Trayce Thompson, hurlers Andre Rienzo and Santos Rodriguez and infielders Carlos Sanchez and Andy Wilkins in the AFL. Winston-Salem trainer Cory Barton will also head to Arizona in the same role with the Rafters.
All six White Sox representatives have played in Winston-Salem during their minor league careers. They will join highly-touted prospects from Arizona, Colorado, Toronto and Washington’s farm systems.
Taylor Thompson is 2-1 with a 2.59 earned run average in 30 relief appearances this season. After battling some injuries in the first half, the Montgomery, Ala., native has responded with a second-half ERA of 0.60 in 30 innings of work.
Three other soon-to-be AFL players donned the Dash purple in 2012. Rienzo made four starts and posted a 1.08 ERA in 25 innings before earning a promotion to Double-A Birmingham, where he is 4-3 with a 3.27 ERA. Sanchez is now with Triple-A Charlotte after hitting .315 with 42 RBI and 58 runs scored with Winston during the season’s first three months. Trayce Thompson is also in Triple-A Charlotte following a promotion today. He still leads the Carolina League with 90 RBI and is tied atop the circuit with 22 homers.
Rodriguez was with Winston-Salem throughout the 2010 and 2011 campaigns. In the CL, Rodriguez amassed a 4-3 record and a 3.69 ERA in 72 appearances largely out of the bullpen. He is now with Triple-A Charlotte after boasting a 2.81 ERA in Double-A Birmingham this season.
Finally, Wilkins is with Birmingham, where he is hitting .236 with 17 homers and 66 RBI. The former Arkansas slugger hit .278 with 23 long balls and 89 RBI for the Dash last season.
This season marks the 20th in AFL history. The season runs from October 9 until the annual championship game November 17.
- Brian
Good? Yes. Historical? Maybe
Photo courtesy of Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash.
Dating back to July 23, the Dash have won 14 of 17 games. This spurt has pushed Winston-Salem into a position to win at an extremely high level.
First off, the Dash are in the running for the top record in minor league baseball among full-season squads.
In fact, Winston is just a few percentage points away from the top mark in the minors. Take a look at the current standings through Friday:
1. 72-42 (.632, — GB) – Lansing Lugnuts, Toronto’s Low-A affiliate
2. 73-43 (.629, — GB) – St. Lucie Mets, New York Mets’ High-A affiliate
2. 73-43-1 (.629, — GB) – Winston-Salem Dash
4. 73-45 (.619, 1.0 GB) – Asheville Tourists, Colorado’s Low-A affiliate
5. 73-47 (.608, 2.0 GB) – Sacramento River Cats, Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate
Secondly, Winston-Salem is on pace to have one of the best records in franchise history. Here are the best winning percentages in Winston history, dating back to 1945 when the franchise joined the Carolina League as a charter member:
1. 1950 Cardinals – 106-47 (.693)
2. 2012 Dash – 73-43-1 (.629)
3. 1990 Spirits – 86-54 (.614)
4. 1979 Red Sox – 85-55 (.607)
5. 1947 Cardinals – 85-57 (.599)
This should be a fun final 23 games of the season. If things continue to go well for the Dash, it could be a historic campaign.
- Brian
160 Days
Let’s rewind to September 28, 2011. It was 160 days ago, and the White Sox’s 2011 season came to an end with a 3-2 loss at home against the Blue Jays.
Since then, the White Sox lost their most recognizable face–manager Ozzie Guillen–to the Miami Marlins. Arguably their most consistent player in the last decade–left-handed starter Mark Buehrle–followed Guillen to South Beach.
This afternoon at 3:05 ET, the Sox begin a new era under first-time skipper Robin Ventura. 160 days after the 2011 season ended, the White Sox are back on the field against their Camelback Ranch buddies, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The White Sox have 59 players in Spring Training at this point, and 19 of them made a stop at some point in Winston-Salem. Here’s a list:
Chris Sale is one of the most notable Dash alums in White Sox camp this year.
PITCHERS:
- Dylan Axelrod (2009 and 2010)
- Anthony Carter (2008 and 2009)
- Gregory Infante (2009 and 2010)
- Nate Jones (2008, 2009, and 2010)
- Charles Leesman (2010)
- Brian Omogrosso (2007)*
- Jake Petricka (2011)*
- Addison Reed (2011)
- Chris Sale (2010)
- Hector Santiago (2009, 2010, and 2011)
CATCHERS:
- Mike Blanke (2011)*
- Josh Phegley (2010)*
INFIELDERS:
- Eduardo Escobar (2010)
- Jim Gallagher (2009)*
- Tyler Kuhn (2009)*
- Brent Morel (2009)
OUTFIELDERS:
- Jordan Danks (2009)*
- Jared Mitchell (2011)*
- Brandon Short (2010)*
* = non-roster invitee
So, what’s the take away from this? Only three of the 19 players on this list played in Winston-Salem as Warthogs. It means that the 40-man roster is largely made up of free agent signings or trade acquisitions.
For example, seven of the nine offensive players above are non-roster invitees. The White Sox’s 40-man roster is loaded with offensive pieces that were developed, to some extent, outside the organization.
However, this is an exciting time for the prospects in White Sox camp. With the change in scenery, this could be a new era, and any production from the organization’s youth will be a huge bonus. The Dash have provided a solid chunk of that youth in the Chicago’s system.
Over the next few days, we will take a look at these 19 players and what their expectations are during camp. Let us know in the comments which former Winston-Salem players you think will make the 25-man roster when the big league club heads to Arlington for Opening Day against the Rangers April 6. It’s 32 days away!
- Brian
