Chicago White Sox: Friday trades clearly point to future

The Chicago White Sox have continued their fire sale on Friday, trading away three different pitchers. Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly were sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Kendall Graveman will once again play for the Houston Astros. These moves come just a couple days after the team began to wave the white flag and trade away Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Los Angeles Angels.

Chicago White Sox net solid return for Lynn and Kelly

In exchange for Lynn and Kelly, the Dodgers agreed to send right-handers Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure, both at Double-A, and outfielder Trayce Thompson, a former member of the White Sox. While Thompson will likely be the only piece making an impact on the big league club this season, Nastrini and Leasure could be a strong return. Nastrini is the prize of the trade, a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft with an interesting back story. Nastrini has racked up scary walk rates in his brief minor league time, but throws hard and possesses two above-average breaking balls. Even seeing his command approve to slightly below-average would allow Nastrini to earn a big league rotation spot. Should those pieces not fall into place, Nastrini’s mid-upper 90s mph fastball should set the foundation for a move to the bullpen.

Leasure is also a Double-A pitcher, and was also a 2021 draft pick, landing in the 14th round. Leasure throws a huge fastball that has touched 97 mph, although he has struggled with his command and is seen as purely a reliever. Still, the potentially double-plus fastball paired with a strong slider could put Leasure into an impact role.

As for Thompson, he has struggled to actualize his big power in his career, hitting just .155 this season, and is out with an oblique injury. Upon return, Thompson will likely be used in a platoon-role for the corner outfield positions, where he can provide fine defense with exciting power potential.

Chicago White Sox find catcher of the future possibly

Kendall Graveman, who is under control through the 2024 season, netted the White Sox Korey Lee from the Astros, who is stuck behind the breakout of Yanier Diaz. Lee was a big-time prospect once, good enough to sneak into the first round of the 2019 draft. Since Diaz has taken the reigns in Houston, Lee has appeared in just 12 big league games in his career, all in 2022. Still, those who are in favor of Lee point to his strong arm, which grades at or near a 70 on the 20-80 scale, and strong raw power when projecting a future starter. Skeptics will likely point to outrageous strikeout rates, which have never been below 23.7 percent in Triple-A. Still, on defense and athleticism alone, there should be enough to project Lee as a contributor, although the degree of his contributions will rely upon the shoring up of his hit tool.

Graveman being traded likely means the White Sox do not plan to contend next season either, as he is a reliable middle relief option on a contending ball club. Despite a career-high walk rate of 10.8 percent, Graveman still has been effective, with a 3.48 ERA and eight saves in 44.0 innings. Houston’s pitching development has long been held in high regard, but this one might be pretty simple. Graveman throws his four-seam fastball just 17.7 percent of the time, but batters have hit a measly .074 against the pitch. Further, the pitch has garnered a whiff rate of 50.8 percent.

We are likely far from seeing the last of a White Sox trade, but the early thoughts on their returns have been favorful.