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AL Central: Potential breakout prospects for 2019

By Sean O'Leary

WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 15: Seuly Matias #25 of the World Team reacts after hitting a home run during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 15: Seuly Matias #25 of the World Team reacts after hitting a home run during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Dylan Cease, RHP, Chicago White Sox 

This was by far the toughest choice. The White Sox system is so deep, and it was hard to find someone to “breakout.”

Cease, technically, has broken out. In the minors in 2018, Cease pitched in High-A and Double-A. His ERA was fantastic, sitting at 2.40, and he struck out 160 batters in 124 innings, a 11.6 K/9. He has cut his walks pretty significantly, dropping his BB/9 from 5.0 just two years ago, to 3.6 in 2018.

The right-hander had his huge rise over 2018. He ended the season at 58 on MLB Pipeline’s 2017 list, and moved up to 25 in 2018.

So, yes, he broke out in the minors, but in his case, I’m talking a Major League breakout. It will be tough with Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and Eloy Jimenez, in the same league, but if Cease is up for a good chunk of the season, he has a real shot at AL Rookie of the Year.

The White Sox top pitching prospect, Michael Kopech, will be out this season because of Tommy John surgery, so all eyes will be on Cease in that department.

With his upper-90s fastball and great curveball, he will be a guy to watch for all season.

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