Will White Sox load up on pitching in draft?
The Chicago White Sox's minor-league system is loaded with outfielders.
There is good infield depth and a promising group of catchers.
Pitching is a problem, mainly due to injuries.
Top prospects Michael Kopech and Dane Dunning are sidelined this season as they recover from Tommy John surgery. Alec Hansen is still pitching out of the bullpen for Class AA Birmingham after being slowed by a right forearm strain last year.
Look for the Sox to stock up on pitching in the draft, which starts on Monday.
They are expected to take either high school shortstop C.J. Abrams or college first baseman Andrew Vaughn with the No. 3 overall pick.
Unfortunately for the White Sox, this is a weak draft for pitching - especially at the collegiate level.
Amateur scouting director Nick Hostetler indicated the Sox might wait a bit before loading up on pitching.
"The 10th round is when we will get into that mode," Hostetler said. "At that point, the talent is pretty close together so we will try to fill needs that we have in the organization whether it's more pitching, which we always need more pitching.
"The first 10 rounds, we will take the guy we feel at that point is the best talent with the best makeup."
Mr. Mays:
Class AA Birmingham center fielder Luis Robert and starting pitcher Kyle Kubat were voted the White Sox's minor-league player and pitcher of the month.
Robert, the Sox's top prospect, earned the same honor in April.
In May, the 21-year-old outfielder batted .311/.360/.524 with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 14 RBI and 8 stolen bases over 26 games with the Barons.
Kubat went 3-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 6 May starts for Birmingham. The 26-year-old lefty was acquired in a March 2017 trade from Kansas City for cash considerations.
High praise:
Sunday's win was the third for the White Sox in their four-game series against the Indians.
Cleveland manager Terry Francona was not all that surprised.
"They're pretty good," Francona told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "(GM) Rick Hahn does a really good job here and Rick Renteria gets them to play. They made some tough trades, but some really good ones. You're starting to see some of that talent like (Lucas) Giolito. It took a while, but he's become dominant.
"I know they love their left fielder (Eloy Jimenez) and I don't blame them. He might not be tearing up the league yet, but that doesn't mean he won't be a real good player. They've got the kid Dylan Cease coming, (Tim) Anderson is really good and (Jose) Abreu is one of the best there is."