2. Michael Kopech, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/30/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Birmingham Barons, AAA Charlotte Knights
2017 Stats: 25 GS, 134 1/3 IP, 2.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 11.8% BB, 31.3% K
Info: Kopech is known for his fastball, an incredible heater that can range into the triple digits deep into a start was part of the return for Chris Sale from Boston, where he had a pair of issues that led to some claiming he was an off-field issue (suspension for amphetamines and a broken hand due to a clubhouse fight).
The Chicago White Sox (and many spoken to since the trade) have lauded Kopech’s attitude and work ethic, and with his elite velocity, that gives him an upside that nearly no one else in baseball can match. However, his issues with control of his slider and his four-seam fastball have kept him from ascending to the point of one of the 3-5 best prospects in the entire game.
Don Cooper and his minions within the Chicago White Sox organization worked diligently with Kopech over 2017 on two things – first on his pitch repertoire, and second on his inconsistent delivery.
On his repertoire, the slider and four-seamer remain, of course, but the team added in a two-seam fastball to generate sink on the ball and create ground balls. This also worked in some adjustment in his change up to have it pair off of the sinking fastball more, which would allow for a fourth pitch that could at least generate weak contact, if not swing and miss.
In the delivery, work still remains, but one positive was that the team saw the inconsistency in his arm slot iron out throughout the year, and that allowed him to have a more consistent idea of where the break on his pitches would occur, but lack of control at times in his delivery still led to control issues.
Kopech has the type of repertoire that would be akin with Noah Syndergaard‘s, though he doesn’t have Thor’s size or locks, but he will have to get the control in line or he will end up in the middle to back of a rotation due to his inconsistency rather than an ace like he could be.
Kopech should open 2018 in AAA and will likely spend the majority of the season there.
1. Eloy Jimenez, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/27/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs), high-A Winston-Salem Dash, AA Birmingham Barons
2017 Stats: .312/.379/.568, 369 PA, 19 HR, 1 SB, 35/72 BB/K
Info: Quite simply one of the premier talents in all of baseball, acquiring Eloy is a big reason that the Chicago White Sox system will remain in the top 5 after graduating 3 top 25-30 prospects during the season. Jimenez has one of the elite power bats in baseball.
It is impressive to consider that the Cubs in one July 2nd period signed both Gleyber Torres and Eloy Jimenez, both of whom will be top 20 prospects this season. Both were utilized in playoff runs rather than playing at the major league level, but they were certainly used to acquire valuable pieces.
Jimenez simply did what have begun to be known as “Eloy things” this season
Jimenez simply did what have begun to be known as “Eloy things” this season. He knocked out lights in a light stand during a home run derby, made ridiculous catches, and all the time seemed to be having an incredible amount of fun while doing it all.
Many have compared the 6’4″, 205 pound Eloy to Manny Ramirez for his personality and his tremendous ability to contact the ball from the right hand side. While he doesn’t have Manny’s contact ability, the power and the demeanor around the game, including what has become legendary work ethic before games.
Eloy will begin 2018 in AA again, but it would not surprise if he not only worked his way up to AAA, but also earned some big league at bats at the end of the season.
Next: Newcomer to watch