About Our Top 30 Lists
The evaluation team has painstakingly worked every detail of the forthcoming list. We’ve incorporated our live looks, watched hours of film, consulted with industry folk, and combed through too many data sets to count. This process is much the same for each team we’ll be covering this offseason, and it’s led to what we consider to be our best work yet.
The list is organized by and utilizes the Overall Future Projection (OFP) scale. Although there is no empirical method for ranking or classifying prospects, this method is as close as possible. Prospects are scored on the traditional 20-80 scale, with a 20 representing a non-prospect and a 70 or 80 representing an elite, MVP-caliber player. These are the two extremes, with most prospects occupying something in between. A 50 OFP means we project that player to be a future average big leaguer, while a 55 or 60 OFP means they’re a future above-average or all-star player. Most prospects, however, tend to project in the 40 or 45 OFP range, which are below-average or specific role players, such as utility players or low-leverage relievers.
Sometimes these grades will be more aggressive, while others will be conservative. We’ve included a “Risk” component to help differentiate between these situations. We’ve done our best to apply these grades and risk components relative to all prospects both within and outside of each organization. It’s also important to note that players grow or regress year-to-year, and we’ve also incorporated where these players were ranked on last year’s list.
Below you'll find the top 10 players in the system with full reports of the top 5. The full rankings and reports on all top 30 prospects per team will be available on our Patreon at the 55-tier ($5 level) as we publish them. If you're into fantasy baseball, this tier also gets you the dynasty show, the FYPD list, and the MiLB Daily Sheet during the regular season.
Top 10 Team Rank at First 5 Reports for Free Below
1. Colson Montgomery, SS - 55 OFP
Age: 21 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 1 OFP: 50
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 44 | High |
PHYSICAL Montgomery has a strong, lean build with some projection remaining in his upper body. The former three-sport high school star showcases great athleticism for his size. He utilizes a slightly open stance and more of a toe tap mechanism.
STRENGTHS Even for his age, Montgomery showcases some of the best plate discipline in the White Sox system. Across three teams last year, Montgomery had a ~12.8% walk rate and a strikeout rate below 20% as a 20-year-old. His bat path is impressive, and he’s able to utilize all fields to hit for contact, primarily utilizing the gaps. His power is starting to develop more into all fields power, too, although he’s shown more of an ability to turn on inside pitches and crush balls to his pull side. He’s a shortstop for now, showcasing solid range and an above-average arm, which would also play at third base. He can be an above-average defender at third baseball. The lack of speed is made up by his longer stride.
WEAKNESSES There’s some questions about Montgomery’s size and his ability to stick at shortstop, similar to Corey Seager before his debut. He could move to third base assuming he continues to grow more into his frame. He did begin to get beat by better secondary pitches in Double-A, primarily pitches lower in the zone, although he managed to adjust in September. His speed also projects as fringe-average at best once he’s fully matured.
SUMMARY Montgomery has begun to look more and more like a steal for the White Sox out of the 2021 draft. His rise to Double-A as a 20-year-old shows that he’s ahead of his development curve and could continue to rise quickly in 2023. He’ll likely return to Double-A out of Spring Training and could see time at Triple-A later in the year.
EVALUATOR Tyler Jennings
2. Noah Schultz, LHP - 50 OFP
Age: 19 Highest Level: HS
2022 MLB Draft Rank: 23
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 60 | 50 | 50 | High |
| 91-96 mph | 80-84 mph | 84-87 mph |
PHYSICAL Schultz is an absolute behemoth of a human with a long, lanky frame and serious remaining projection. It’s a very easy operation from the left side, showcasing solid athleticism and a very tough angle on hitters with his slingy, near sidearm slot. He has very impressive body control for his size and repeats his delivery well.
STRENGTHS Schultz has a pretty long track record as a prep arm, but he experienced a solid velocity jump last spring that caused his stock to explode. Previously 88-92 MPH, Schultz came out in the 92-96 MPH range while touching 97 MPH in a summer league before being drafted. With Schultz’s low release, the fastball generates plenty of running action and has stupidly high spin in the 2600-2700 RPM range. The slider is his bread and butter pitch. It’s a monster sweeper that has jumped into the low-80s with extremely high spin rates exceeding 3,000 RPMs on a consistent basis. He has a feel for a big fading changeup in the mid-80s that flashes above-average. It has the potential to sit there once he’s fully developed. The command of his arsenal is average, and he poses a big threat to left-handed batters.
WEAKNESSES There’s a limited track record with Schultz’s new found velocity, as he was sidelined with mononucleosis for a month last spring. With that, his fastball command slightly wavered, mainly to his armside, last summer. He will need to get into more consistent mid-90s velocity, as well, although reports out of instructs suggest he’s done just that.
SUMMARY Schultz is the first prep arm that the White Sox have taken since 2001. It’s a mix of a low release, great stuff, and impressive body control that makes Schultz stand out, even with his gargantuan height. There could also be more velocity as he fills out. He has a very high ceiling and will make his professional debut in 2023.
EVALUATOR Tyler Jennings
3. Oscar Colas, OF - 50 OFP
Age: 24 Highest Level: AAA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 6 OFP: 45
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 40 | High |
PHYSICAL Colas is fully mature with no meaningful projection remaining. He has a strong lower half and a muscular frame with rounded shoulders. He doesn’t necessarily carry a lot of extra weight, but he’ll need to maintain his conditioning.
STRENGTHS Colas is a toolshed who stands out for his overall raw strength and power potential. He has good bat speed thanks to his strong forearms and torque, and he hits the ball hard. He has easy plus raw power and should be able to make enough contact to let it play during games. He can use the whole field but is smart enough to use his pull side for power as often as he can. His hit tool has shown some improvement, as has his approach. He can shorten up his swing for contact when behind in counts. Colas has a solid enough glove to play all three outfield spots, but he split his time between center and right field during his minor league debut. He has good instincts and takes quality routes to the ball. His throws are accurate and show good carry, and his plus arm should play well in right field.
WEAKNESSES His hit tool still has a lot of refinement left. He has an aggressive mentality and a long swing with a lot of pre-pitch movement. His approach has improved a bit, but he still has a bad habit of expanding the zone and getting himself behind in counts. He posted well-below-average chase rates last season, and he’s bound to see his strikeouts continue to increase with each promotion. He also struggles with pitches low and away, and he has a tendency to roll those pitches over when he makes contact. Colas is a below-average runner who may not be long for center field, which will put more pressure on his bat.
SUMMARY The “Cuban Ohtani” is a full-time hitter now, and there is a 30+ home run ceiling here if he can improve his hit tool. The White Sox will give him every opportunity to develop and fit into the heart of the big league team’s order, but the aggressiveness in his game may restrict his overall impact.
EVALUATOR Adam Kiel
4. Cristian Mena, RHP - 50 OFP
Age: 20 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 28 OFP: 35
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 50 | High |
| 94-96 mph | 81-82 mph | 81-82 mph | 87-88 mph |
PHYSICAL Mena has added about 30 pounds since signing and still has a very lean and projectable build. He throws from a high three-quarters arm slot and repeats it despite there being high effort with a sizable leg kick. He’s an excellent athlete on the mound and gets good extension. He hides the ball well and, despite the longer arm action, hitters don’t see the ball until it’s out of his hand.
STRENGTHS Mena’s plus curveball is his best pitch, and he throws it almost as much as he throws his fastball. He throws it in the zone frequently and gets batters to chase when it breaks away from right-handers. There’s good sweeping action on the pitch, and he also has a tighter variant in the same velocity band that he calls a slider. Mena’s fastball jumped last year and now sits 94-96 MPH. He has a rare ability for his age to hold his velocity deep into starts. The pitch has some life and plays up due to his extension. His changeup has flashed plus at times, but it’s not on the level of his curveball or fastball. He was among a short list of teenage arms who topped 100 innings in full-season ball.
WEAKNESSES Mena is still trying to find some consistency with his changeup. The pitch will flash at times, showing good fade and drop out of the zone, but too often it can be a noncompetitive offering. Mena’s fastball doesn’t have great carry, leaving some room for better optimization. As it stands, the pitch won’t get many whiffs despite touching 97 MPH at times.
SUMMARY The White Sox signed Mena for $250,000 in their 2019 international class and he wasn’t able to make his professional debut until 2021 due to the pandemic. He made up for lost time by zooming to Double-A in his first year of full-season ball. Mena has the look of a current mid-rotation arm, but there’s potential for a front of the rotation starter if his fastball or changeup take a step forward. He should start 2023 in Double-A but could move quickly.
EVALUATOR Matt Thompson
5. Bryan Ramos, 3B - 50 OFP
Age: 21 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 16 OFP: 40
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 45 | High |
PHYSICAL Ramos is heavier than his listed weight and has a mature body for his age that includes a strong upper half and overall sturdy build with thick thighs. He’s added good weight over the last year or two, and now it’s about maintaining his build.
STRENGTHS Ramos is a power-over-hit bat, but that isn’t a knock on the hit tool. He has good barrel control and good feel for contact. He can drive the ball to all fields, and his bat path generates natural loft. He handles elevated velocity due to quick hands and quality bat speed. With the added strength, his raw power is easily plus now, and his approach allows him to do damage early. He looks to pull the ball, which allows him to get into his game power even more. He has 25+ home run potential while also hitting for a solid batting average. Ramos should be able to handle third base long term, although he’s also taken reps at second base in recent years. His arm is improving following a shoulder injury in 2021 and projects as average with perhaps a bit more room for growth. He is accurate from just about any angle he needs to throw from. His hands and footwork have greatly improved, and his range is good enough to stick on the infield.
WEAKNESSES Ramos has improved his approach and hit tool, but there are still traces of an aggressive mentality. His desire to pull everything occasionally works to his detriment. His bat path can also get too steep at times, and there are some concerns about how he’ll handle more consistent velocity and quality pitching. Ramos could lose some speed with age, which will hurt him on both the basepaths and in the field. Any reduction of range will limit his defensive options.
SUMMARY The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the better prospects in Chicago’s system after a breakout season. There’s still work to be done with his hit tool, but the likely result is a third baseman who can hit for power while also recording respectable contact rates.
EVALUATOR Adam Kiel
6. Peyton Pallette, RHP - 50 OFP
Age: 21 Highest Level: NCAA
2022 MLB Draft Rank: 51
7. Jose Rodriguez, SS - 45 OFP
Age: 21 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 3 OFP: 45
8. Jonathan Cannon, RHP - 45 OFP
Age: 22 Highest Level: NCAA
2022 MLB Draft Rank: 49
9. Sean Burke, RHP - 45 OFP
Age: 23 Highest Level: AAA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 10 OFP: 45
10. Yoelqui Cespedes, OF - 45 OFP
Age: 25 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 4 OFP: 45