Despite health issues this season, White Sox are pleased with their farm system

A substantial number of prospects did not advance as hoped in 2019.

SHARE Despite health issues this season, White Sox are pleased with their farm system
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White Sox outfield prospect Luis Robert is the crown jewel of the Sox farm system. (John Antonoff/For Sun-Times)

The White Sox’ farm system suffered from its share of health issues (including right-handers Michael Kopech, Dane Dunning, Jimmy Lambert, and Zack Burdi, outfielders Micker Adolfo and Luis Basabe third baseman Jake Burger) and a significant amount of prospects (outfielders Luis Gonzalez and Blake Rutherford and right-hander Alec Hansen to name three) did not advance as hoped in 2019. 

Others, such as Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal, sailed to Class AAA and are on the brink of making the majors.

“I thought it was a solid year,” Sox director of player development Chris Getz. “If you break it down just organizational-wide throughout the minor leagues, I felt pretty good about it. From a wins and losses standpoint, our second half, I felt even better. I felt like a lot of our clubs finished strong based on the record and performance-wise.”

MLB Pipeline ranks the Sox’ farm system ninth, down five spots from the No. 4 ranking it held during the spring. Lower marks for depth was the primary reason.

“We had plenty of really, really good stories in Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal, [right-hander] Jonathan Stiever, guys that really took steps forward, kind of separated themselves,” Getz said. “So I think all things considered, as a PD head, I feel pretty good about that.”

Robert has the right stuff

Robert, who already has earned two Minor League Player of the Year awards, has gravitated toward the attention he received throughout his historic season.

“He’s handling it really well,” Getz said. “Some guys are just kind of made for this, and I think he’s one of those players. He doesn’t shy away from attention. He’s not looking for too much attention. He lets the game and his performance speak for who he is. He’s very comfortable in his own skin and he’s a professional, and once he joins our major-league club, he’s going to blend in and blend in quickly.”

Robert soared through three levels but did not receive a September call-up.

Renteria: The right staff?

Manager Rick Renteria, who is under contract for 2020, said “I believe so,” when asked if he expects his coaching staff back next season. Not that he would say otherwise, but in any event it’s too early to say.

“We haven’t had our conversations about anything moving forward but I believe we will,” Renteria said. “If there is any change coming, you will all know what happens, if it happens. But all our guys do a great job.”

From most indications, the staff has been a cohesive group.

“We do work well together, absolutely,” Renteria said.

This and that

Burger, a 2017 first-round draft pick who has ruptured his Achilles twice, remains a question mark heading into instructional league activity next week. “He’s going to be out there around all the guys. It’s tough to really mark his participation level, but he is feeling good,” Getz said.

• Entering Wednesday, the Sox were 52-0 when leading after eight innings. The Sox and Angels (60-0) are the only two teams in the majors who have not lost when leading after eight innings. Closer Alex Colome (26-for-27) leads the majors with a 96.3 save percentage.

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