White Sox’ Molina still needs more work in minors
Not long after trading closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor-league starting pitcher Nestor Molina in early December, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams deemed Molina a front-end starter who would likely be in the major-league rotation as early midseason.
The deal has already swung in the Sox’ favor — Santos did not pitch well for the Blue Jays early in the season before landing on the disabled list in late April with inflammation in his throwing (right) shoulder.
As for Molina, he clearly needs more seasoning.
The White Sox have been shuffling minor-league pitchers in and out with rapid frequency the past week, and all of the shifting moved Molina from Class AA Birmingham to AAA Charlotte.
The 23-year-old right-hander started for the Knights against Toledo on Monday night.
Molina didn’t allow a run through the first four innings, but he was tagged for 6 runs in the fifth and didn’t make it out of the inning.
After the game, Molina was sent back to Birmingham. In 6 starts with the Barons, he is 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA.
AAA Charlotte:
Dan Johnson has been splitting his time between first base and designated hitter for the Knights, and he was batting .304 with a team-high 6 home runs and 25 RBI heading into Tuesday’s play.
Johnson was also leading the International league in walks (28) and on-base percentage (.476).
Catcher Josh Phegley ranked fourth in the IL with a .347 batting average.
AA Birmingham:
Center fielder Jared Mitchell continues to push for a promotion to Charlotte and then the White Sox.
Mitchell, the Sox’ first-round draft pick in 2009, was leading the Southern League in triples (6) and runs scored (22). He was second with 24 RBI.
Second baseman Drew Garcia, a 21st-round pick in 2008, was leading the SL in RBI (25) while ranking fifth with a .323 batting average.
Class A Winston-Salem:
Former Purdue star Dan Black, a first baseman, was batting .322 through Monday and was second in the Carolina League with 7 home runs and third with 22 RBI.
Leroy Hunt was leading the CL with 7 saves.