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Look for Sox to continue drafting pitching

In his major-league debut Thursday in Game 2 at Baltimore, Chris Beck didn't exactly wow anyone in the White Sox' dugout or front office.

Give Beck credit for coming up from Class AAA Charlotte, delivering 6 needed innings and keeping the Sox in the game.

If he ever gets another shot in the big leagues, the 24-year-old right-hander figures to be better just because of Thursday's experience.

At best, however, Beck projects out as a No. 4 or 5 arm for the White Sox, and that's why they're again expected to draft a starting pitcher with the No. 8 overall pick in next month's amateur draft.

Carlos Rodon, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, already is in the Sox' rotation and he starts at Houston Friday night.

The White Sox' farm system is in much better shape these days thanks to the emergence of position players like shortstop Tim Anderson, outfielders Trayce Thompson, Courtney Hawkins, Jacob May and Micker Adolfo, third basemen Trey Michalczewski and Matt Davidson, and don't forget about second baseman Micah Johnson.

As for pitchers that are close to reaching the major leagues, Beck, Erik Johnson and Kyle Drabek were the only viable options for Thursday's spot start against the Orioles.

In time, the Sox' minor league pitching outlook should be much better.

I recently talked to Del Matthews, the White Sox' assistant director of player development and scouting.

Matthews already has checked in on the Sox' top four farm clubs: Charlotte, Class AA Birmingham, high Class A Winston-Salem and low A Kannapolis.

Three pitchers are in the top level of prospects: Birmingham's Tyler Danish and Frank Montas and Kannapolis' Spencer Adams.

Judging from the early numbers, Montas (0-1, 3.60 in 7 starts) appears to be the closest to joining the White Sox, but it's looking like 2016 at the earliest.

Danish (4-2, 4.40 in 9 starts) is still a kid at 20, and Adams (1-3, 3.96 in 8 starts) was graduating from high school in Georgia at this time last year.

In the next wave, Matthews is keeping tabs on the Winston-Salem duo of James Dykstra, who is 3-2 with a 2.89 ERA, and Jayce Fry, a third-round pick last year who is 1-7 with a 3.14 ERA.

As the old baseball adage goes, you can never have enough pitching. That's why the Sox are likely to continue loading up on arms in the June 8-10 draft.

• Follow Scot's White Sox and baseball reports on Twitter@scotgregor.

scouting report

White Sox vs. Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park

TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Saturday; WGN Sunday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' Carlos Rodon (1-0) vs. Lance McCullers (1-0) today at 7:10 p.m.; Jose Quintana (2-5) vs. Dallas Keuchel (6-1) Saturday at 3:10 p.m.; John Danks (2-4) vs. Roberto Hernandez (2-3) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.

At a glance: After losing two of three at Toronto and splitting a doubleheader Thursday at Baltimore, the White Sox' challenging road trip moves to Texas. Ten years ago, the Sox swept the Astros in the World Series. They were 3-3 vs. Houston last season (1-2 on the road). The Astros (30-18) are first in the AL West and have the best record in the American League. They rank third in the league with a 3.57 ERA and are tied for fourth with 213 runs scored. Keuchel is tied for second in wins and ranks fourth with a 1.98 ERA. Rodon makes his first start since May 20, when he pitched 6 innings vs. the Indians and allowed 1 run on 4 hits and 5 walks. Over his last 16 innings, the rookie left-hander has walked 15.

Next: Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Tuesday-Thursday

- Scot Gregor

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