Chicago White Sox top 10 prospects for 2019
1. Eloy Jimenez, OF
Birthday: 11/27/1996 (21)
Acquired: Trade with Cubs, July 2017
Level(s): AA Birmingham, AAA Charlotte
Statistics: .337/.384/.577, 108 G, 456 PA, 28 2B, 3 3B, 22 HR, 7% BB, 15.1% K
By the end of the 2018 season, the anthem from Chicago White Sox fans was how badly they wanted to see Eloy Jimenez in the major leagues. After being the top prospect in the 2013 international signing class, he’s produced at every level, and the major leagues is all he has left to conquer.
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Eloy draws plenty of comparisons to Manny Ramirez for his pure ability to hit and to hit for power. Even after missing a chunk to open the season, Jimenez still managed 53 extra base hits.
While some point to Eloy’s walk rate as a possible flag for his major league future, the truth of the matter is that Jimenez knows the strike zone so well that he rarely takes a walk, taking excellent swings at a strike during an at bat, and he also strikes out at an incredibly low rate for a power hitter, also similar to Manny.
Of course, the other part of the Manny profile that Eloy picks up is the defensive struggles. While Jimenez is a good athlete, he just does not have great hands in the outfield, and he’s seen balls roll under his legs or glance off his glove more often than one would like. However, with the bat he has, he more than makes up for defensive gaffes at the plate.
There’s no reason at this point to hold Eloy back outside of service time manipulation, so if he’s not up for Opening Day, outside of injury, it’s pretty clear what the Chicago White Sox are doing.
Next. 2018 Minors All-Star team. dark
With some financial space and the players getting close to the major leagues, the Chicago White Sox could speed up their rebuild with a few free agent signings this offseason, which could put more pressure on their farm system to produce. Luckily, there is plenty of talent in the upper minors ready to take a step forward.