As a White Sox fan, you’ve likely already heard of the hashtag, #TankForBeer. The popular moniker will likely take over social media for most of the 2017 season. But what does it really mean, and is it truly attainable?
The “Beer” refers to top draft prospect Seth Beer. The Clemson Tiger has absolutely dominated the college circuit and looks like he could be an impact bat at the MLB level. He is largely expected to be the number one overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
A freshman in 2016, Beer appeared in 62 games and hit .369 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs. He was awarded the Dick Howser trophy which goes to the nation’s best college baseball player. It was the first time the award went to a freshman.
Just watching Beer’s highlights gives fans an idea of just how good he can be.
White Sox fans are already salivating over the potential of landing Beer in the draft. Putting him in the same lineup as guys like Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Zack Collins could be absolutely deadly. Coupled with an impressive pitching staff featuring Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech and others, the White Sox would be one of the most dangerous teams in the MLB.
But what are the White Sox realistic chances of landing Seth Beer?
Projections
USA Today predicted that the White Sox would finish the 2017 season with a record of 68-94.
If we follow the projections, then the White Sox would have the fourth worst record behind the Padres, Reds and Twins.
There have been drafts where the undoubted number one overall prospect did not go first overall. Most notably may be the Astros taking Carlos Corea over Byron Buxton.
But there will be no questions about where Beer is going. Whoever gets the number one overall pick will take him. Even in the case of the Padres, who desperately need pitching, cannot afford to pass on a star as bright as Beer’s.
In terms of the three teams ahead of the White Sox, perhaps the Reds and Twins could surprise. Both have a collection of young stars, if they’re perform at top level there’s a chance Minnesota and Cincinnati could push for .500.
However no matter how other clubs perform, the fact is is that the White Sox just aren’t bad enough currently to land the first overall pick.
Work To Be Done
As it stands currently, Jose Quintana, David Robertson, Todd Frazier, Jose Abreu, Melky Cabrera and many other talented veterans remain on the team. If they aren’t moved, then the team should easily surpass 68 wins.
Realistically, Quintana and Robertson are likely to be moved by the Trade Deadline. With Frazer and Cabrera being impending free agents, it would be smart for Rick Hahn to move them as well.
Trading away these talented veterans for prospects would increase the teams number of losses. The number of trades increase how high the White Sox draft pick will be.
While the team shouldn’t trade just to trade in an effort to get Beer, he should be in the back of Hahn’s mind at all times. A talented mix of top prospects and Seth Beer could put the White Sox back in the playoffs much sooner than fans expect.
What will be key for the White Sox however, is making sure that they do not rush their prospects to the major leagues, giving them ample time to develop in the minors.
Good Things Happen To Those Who Wait
In terms of developing prospects, the White Sox should give their young stars as much time as they need in the minor leagues. There is no set timetable to this rebuild, and while fans obviously don’t want to wait forever, they would rather have a fully developed prospect than a rush job.
Look at Yoan Moncada for example. He was rushed to the MLB last season and struggled during his debut. The White Sox could negate those struggles by letting him play in AAA.
With Moncada or any prospect, the White Sox need to understand that 2017 will be a losing season. They cannot rush their prospects for the sake of looking palatable at the MLB level. Fans will understand losing as long as it eventually results in winning.
The same theory applies in attempting to draft Beer.
Yoan Moncada is going to be a better baseball player than Brett Lawrie. But that doesn’t mean he should break camp with the Sox. Keeping these talented players in the minor leagues for as long as possible increases their chances of a high draft pick.
While Chicago doesn’t need to keep Moncada, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in the minors the entire year, they shouldn’t be up until atleast the Trade Deadline.
Let the veterans work as stop gaps with not only allow the prospects to face talented minor league pitching/hitting, but it’ll likely lead to more losses, and therefore a better chance at landing Seth Beer.
Overall
As the White Sox roster stands right now, Seth Beer would not be coming to the South Side. The team’s veteran core is just too talented to even land a pick in the top five let alone number one.
If the team begins moving their talent then that is a different story. Once players like Jose Quintana and David Robertson are shipped out of town, there’s a chance the White Sox could fall to the bottom of the MLB.
Realistically, even with the trades surpassing a team like the Padres could be seriously difficult when trying to landing the number one overall pick.
One thing is for certain and that is the White Sox need to commit to this rebuild. Moving Sale and Eaton is one thing, but they have so many more valuable trade assets than need to be dealt.
The White Sox have been stuck in the middle for too long. With the roster they have put together right now that will likely stay the same in 2017. Moving their veterans would add to an already talented core that could have the team back in playoff contention by 2019-2020.
As for Seth Beer, the Clemson Tiger should dominant with whatever franchise he is drafted to. As for his potential in the South Side, it’ll all come down to how Rick Hahn handles the White Sox current rebuild.
Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14
