With the White Sox breaking the record for the most losses in a season in modern day history, there haven’t been many positives in Chicago. However, in the minor leagues, there have been a lot of significant developments that White Sox fans can get excited about. We take a look at how the double-A affiliate of the White Sox, the Birimingham Barons, did this season.
In the first half of the minor league season, the Barons were one of the best teams in all of the minors. In the first half they were 41-28, which was best in their league and their division. This clinched them an automatic bid to the playoffs. However, due to a ton of promotions, the Barons did not have a great second half, as they had a 31-38 record. But, due to the first half clinching of the playoffs, they had a chance at the title.
Despite the poor second half, the Barons ended up winning the Southern League Championship on a walk off hit by DJ Gladney.
This was an impressive feat by the Barons, as 3 out of 4 of their all-stars were promoted from the team.
Edgar Quero was promoted to AAA, while Drew Thorpe and Brooks Baldwin made it to the major leagues.
Of the players that remained on the team the whole season, Wilfred Veras was the best hitter, as he lead the team in homeruns and RBIs. On the season he hit 2.67 with 16 homeruns and 60 RBIs. He also had 25 stolen bases, which was good for second on the team.
Veras is a very intriguing prospect, as he has some of the best power out of any prospect in the White Sox system. I would imagine he gets a promotion to AAA to start the year and if he plays well there he could get some time in the major leagues.
Rikuu Nishida was a big factor in the playoff run, as he played very well after he was promoted late in the season. He hit .333 with a .400 OBP in 11 games, while adding four walks, four stolen bases, and two RBIs. He did not strikeout once in those 11 games.
On the pitching side, the rotation in the first half was absolutely dominant.
Since it was Noah Schultz’s first year in AA, he wasn’t going to get promoted, but he sure pitched like he wanted to get promoted. Despite that, every other pitcher who was in the rotation to start the season got a promotion, with 4/5 making it to the major leagues. They were the main reason why the Barons were so dominant in the first half.
However, the players they promoted in place of them also pitched very well.
Tyler Schweitzer had a 4.17 ERA over 16 starts, Riley Gowens had a 3.14 ERA over 12 starts, and Juan Carela had 3.58 ERA over seven starts. The White Sox have turned Birmingham into a pitching factory, as they keep producing talented starting pitching.
Overall, this was a fantastic season for the Barons, as they won the Southern League Championship and had multiple players promoted to the major leagues.
