Mitchell struggling in fall league
Two young White Sox players used the Arizona Fall League as a springboard to the major leagues in recent years.
In 2008, second baseman Gordon Beckham batted .394 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI in 18 games with the Peoria Saguaros and made it to the Sox on June 4 of the following season.
Last year, Brent Morel led the AFL with a .435 batting average. The White Sox called him up from Class AAA Charlotte in early September this season, and Morel played well enough to enter 2011 as the starting third baseman.
This year, all eyes have been on outfielder Jared Mitchell.
The Sox' top prospect following a standout collegiate career at LSU, Mitchell injured his ankle while making a catch in spring training and missed the entire season.
The 22-year-old Mitchell is playing for the Saguaros this fall, but he's batting just .196 with no home runs, 1 RBI and a .281 on-base percentage in 15 games.
In Monday's 15-1 loss to Mesa, Mitchell played center field and was 1-for-3 while hitting eighth in the lineup.
Second baseman Eduardo Escobar is batting .311 for the Saguaros. Widely considered the best fielding infielder in the White Sox' system, the 5-foot-10, 150-pounder made another error Monday, his fifth in 16 games.
Left-handed pitcher Charlie Leesman allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in 1 inning of relief Monday, hiking his Fall League ERA to 11.37.
Coaching carousel:
According to published reports, Bobby Valentine is the leading candidate to fill the Milwaukee Brewers' managerial vacancy.
One report claimed White Sox bench coach Joey Cora is No. 2 on the Brewers' wish list, ahead of former Diamondbacks and Mariners manager Bob Melvin and Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke.
As for Greg Walker's future, a source told the Daily Herald the Sox' hitting coach is expected to return in 2011.
On the Mark:
Favored to win his second straight Gold Glove Award this season, White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle won the 2010 Fielding Bible award that was voted on by 10 analysts, including Bill James and Peter Gammons.
Buehrle received 86 out of 100 points, easily winning over second-place Zack Greinke (63 points).