Chicago White Sox's farm system now worth watching
If you're planning to head out and watch the Chicago White Sox play baseball this season, the price is definitely going to be right.
The Sox play 12 home games in April, and they're offering an 11-game pass (Opening Day is excluded) for $39. Total.
According to secondary ticket broker TickPick, the White Sox head into the season with an average ticket price of $30.26, the lowest in major-league baseball.
Give the White Sox credit for cutting costs for fans as they rebuild, but here is a tip for the upcoming season - pay more attention to the minor leagues.
For years - make that decades - there was little reason for White Sox fans to keep tabs on the farm system. The few top prospects on the farm were either rushed to the South Side or traded for veteran players.
This year, that pattern is finally going to change.
Coming off four straight losing seasons and a no-show in the playoffs since 2008, the Sox are gradually breaking down the roster and they hope to put a realistic contender on the field by 2019.
Following up a strong 2016 draft with a pair of December trades (Chris Sale to Boston and Adam Eaton to Washington) that netted seven prospects, the team's minor-league system is now ranked No. 5 by Baseball America after being No. 23 last year.
"We all have that same goal in mind," said starter Lucas Giolito, one of three young pitchers acquired for Eaton. "We want to develop together, put some really good players at the big-league level and win games."
Until that happens, here is a fan's guide for the upcoming season:
Class AAA Charlotte
Last year, the Knights' starting rotation featured big-league castoffs like Chris Volstad, Kameron Lowe and Jacob Turner.
What a difference an off-season makes.
Charlotte will roll out a starting five that stacks up as one of the best in the minor leagues, with Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer heading the rotation.
Even with Carlos Rodon expected to open the season on the disabled list with arm discomfort, the Sox will find his replacement elsewhere and let Giolito, Lopez and Fulmer log needed minor-league innings.
Acquired from the Red Sox in the Sale trade, second baseman Yoan Moncada is the White Sox's No. 1 overall prospect and he's also beginning the season with the Knights.
Blessed with power and speed, Moncada is ready to play for the Sox right now but might not get a call until around the all-star break.
The 21-year-old infielder fared well in the Cactus League, posting a .317/.391/.683 hitting line with 3 home runs and 13 RBI in 17 games.
Moncada also struck out 14 times in 42 at-bats and his defense was a little shaky, so why not let him smooth out the rough spots at Charlotte?
Class AA Birmingham
Starting pitcher Michael Kopech and catcher Zack Collins might open the season with high Class A Winston-Salem, but they both are on schedule to finish with Birmingham.
Also acquired in the Sale trade, Kopech's big arm was on display in a few Cactus League appearances when he struck out 11 in 6 innings over 3 games. The right-hander showed better-than-expected command with only 2 walks.
There is no doubt Kopech possesses a major-league fastball, but he's only 20 years old and his secondary pitches need work. Watch Kopech and Collins work together and begin pushing their way to the White Sox.
Collins, the first-round draft pick (No. 10 overall) last June for the Sox, has a bat that could soon fill the big-league club's void at designated hitter. But Collins is determined to show he can catch in the majors, and the White Sox are willing to wait for his defense to catch up with the offense.
Class A Winston-Salem
Drafted by the Sox on the second round last year, 6-foot-7 starting pitcher Alec Hansen roared through three minor-league stops and was a combined 2-1 with a 1.32 ERA for the Arizona League White Sox, Advanced Rookie Great Falls and low A Kannapolis.
The former University of Oklahoma standout also had 81 strikeouts in 54 ⅔ innings. Hansen should start the upcoming season with high A Winston-Salem and try to resume his rapid climb to the major leagues.
Luis Alexander Basabe was another promising prospect acquired in the Sale trade, and the 20-year-old outfielder has the tools to start the season with Winston-Salem and wind up with Birmingham.
In 110 games with low A Greenville and high A Salem with the Red Sox last season, Basabe slashed .264/.328/.452 with 26 doubles, 9 triples, 12 home runs and 25 stolen bases.
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