White Sox Minor League Update: May 3, 2024

The Knights get shut out ... but the Barons win in extras, while the A-ball clubs flash big offensive production

Memphis Redbirds 5, Charlotte Knights 0 (Gameday Box) (Statcast Box)
For the second straight game, Charlotte’s offense floundered and their pitching staff allowed five runs. Despite failing to crack the run column in this one, however, the Knights did collect six knocks in the loss; catcher Adam Hackenberg, batting cleanup, produced two of Charlotte’s six. The lone extra base hit of the night came off the bat of the recently-demoted Dominic Fletcher.

On the mound, starter Nick Nastrini was in good form to start the game despite being saddled with the tough-luck loss. His final line would read six innings pitched, two runs allowed (one earned), and six punchouts to go with one walk. The young righty’s season ERA, however, rests at a hair above 7.00 for Triple-A Charlotte.

Highly touted reliever Prelander Berroa continued to struggle in Triple-A. His lone inning of work accounted for the last three Redbirds runs and drove his Charlotte ERA past 10.00. This is obviously not the performance White Sox fans were hoping to see from a key piece in the Gregory Santos deal with Seattle. All in all, while there were a few bright spots, this loss was pretty convincing. Time to dole out some hardware, readers.

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Birmingham Barons 3, Rocket City Trash Pandas 2 (10 innings) (Gameday Box) (Statcast Box)
Nothing like a little extra innings ball that ends in yet ANOTHER Barons W. Pitching was key today in Birmingham, as both teams managed to scratch across just seven combined hits on the night. With offense at a premium, it’s important to make contact count.

And count, it did, for Wilfred Veras.

Veras is a 21-year-old power-hitting outfielder with the best raw pop in the entire White Sox farm system. He’s now sporting an attractive .971 OPS in Double-A ball despite his relatively young age and aggressive approach.

Starter Mason Adams was money on the mound to start this one off. He went 6 1⁄3 innings while allowing just two hits and fanning seven Trash Pandas. Of the two runs allowed on his line, only one was earned. His season ERA sits in the low 3.00’s.

Relievers Jared Kelley, Jake Palisch, and Adisyn Coffey finished this one off, with Coffey earning the W. Credit, however, should go to each of the trio, as they combined to span 3 2⁄3 innings, allowing NO hits, walking one, and fanning four.

Another great win for this great Barons team. Your author makes the trek to Birmingham in mere hours to grab some more photos of the system’s premier prospects. In the meantime, it’s up to our readers to vote who shined brightest in this one.

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Winston-Salem Dash 13, Greensboro Grasshoppers 3 (Gameday Box) (Statcast Box)
Twenty runs in two days for newfound offensive juggernaut Winston-Salem! Leadoff man Loidel Chapelli stayed hot and recorded two of Winston-Salem’s 13 hits in this one, adding a walk for good measure and putting his slump to start the season behind him. Top 30 prospects Samuel Zavala and Jacob Gonzalez went deep back-to-back in this blowout affair as well!

From that point on, the Dash offense had the reigns in this one and solid pitching performances indicated they would not relinquish them.

Starter Juan Carela went four strong innings, allowing just one hit, walking two, and punching five tickets. His season ERA in Winston-Salem dropped to near 4.00. The highly touted former Yankees prospect continues to up his game in the White Sox organization, and could be a fascinating midseason promotion candidate.

Plenty of convincing performances to warrant MVP consideration in this matchup, but the final decision will be left up to the will of our readers!

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Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 12, Lynchburg Hillcats 6 (Gameday Box) (Statcast Box)
Another offensive explosion in the lower levels of the minor league system is always a welcome sight! Kannapolis pounced big during a seven-run fourth inning that earned it a lead that it would hold onto and augment until the end of regulation.

Shortstop Wilber Sánchez broke out of an extended slump to start the season and finished with a 2-for-3 line that included two RBIs and a walk. As expected in a 12-run game, Sánchez wasn’t the only prolific offensive performer in this one. Ryan Galanie enjoyed a five-RBI night featuring a homer, and Albertson Asigen and Arxy Hernández each went deep against the Hillcats as well.

As exciting as the offense was in this one, there was also plenty of cause for optimism on the mound tonight as well! Seth Keener, whose starts I always seem to catch when writing these roundups, went 5 1⁄3 strong, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out four. He walked two. His season ERA stands at a pristine 2.74, and he earned the win in this one.

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