With the White Sox being the worst team in baseball, there is not much to look forward to as a White Sox fan. However, the one bright side is the farm system, as there have been some great performances this season at each level that can provide a glimmer of hope for the White Sox in a few years.
The roster in Birmingham is significantly different from what it was at the beginning of the year, as four out of the five rotation arms are either in AAA or in the MLB. Edgar Quero and Tim Elko are in AAA and Brooks Baldwin is in the major leagues. The team that had the best record in the Southern League at the all-star break is very different, but the Barons get an automatic bid for the playoffs, so at least one White Sox organization will be playing in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at who’s been playing well for the Barons.
Pallette was a second round pick for the White Sox in the 2022 MLB Draft. He was taken as a starter from Arkansas and the White Sox had high expectations for him. However, due to injuries, he wasn’t able to play affiliated ball in 2022, but he made his debut in 2023.
2023 was a solid season, albeit nothing outstanding for Pallette. He had a 4.13 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 72 innings. He had a 1.36 WIHP as he walked 41 batters. This was understandable, as he was coming off Tommy John surgery, but 2024 did not start off how he would have liked it to.
Starting off the year at Winston-Salem instead of Kannapolis, Pallette had a rough couple of months, as he had a 9.58 ERA in April, bounced back a bit in May with a 3.48 ERA, but June things went off the rails, as he had a 11.37 ERA. That’s when the White Sox decided to switch him to the bullpen and he’s been lights out since.
Since the switch to the bullpen in July, he has only given up two runs in 29.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 43 batters and only walked six. This is an insane development and Pallette looks like he may have saved his career.
It was no question that Pallette has the talent, as he was a projected first round pick and only fell due to his Tommy John surgery. Now, he has turned into a dominant reliever, and hasn’t given up a run in six innings since his promotion to Birmingham.
The White Sox will need to make a decision on whether to see if he can convert this back into starting, or keep him as a reliever. Due to the amount of pitching in the farm system, I could see them keeping him as a reliever and having him move quickly through the system.
Gonzalez was last year’s first round pick for the White Sox out of Ole Miss. Gonzalez started out the season in A+ at Winston-Salem, but has spent most of the year in Birmingham. He was off to a hot start once he was promoted, but he had a few rough months. However, he has played much better in August, showing why he was a first round pick.
In August, Gonzalez is hitting .258 with a .324 OBP. He has two homeruns, nine RBIs, and 10 walks compared to just 13 strikeouts. He has been putting the ball in play and taking his walks, which is a very good sign. He has also added three stolen bases, getting caught just once.
Gonzalez still has a lot of potential but next year will be a huge year for him. If he can get off to a hot start in AA, don’t be surprised to see him at AAA early next year and pushing for a spot on the 26 man roster in Chicago.
