Here is the minor league report for the 2010 Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate for the Chicago White Sox.
The key name to note on the roster is catcher Tyler Flowers, who will be ready to assume the starting catcher role in 2011 with A.J. Pierzynski a free agent after this season. He has career minor league batting average of .293 with the ability to 15-20 home runs in the major leagues.
Another name to keep an eye on is starting pitcher Daniel Hudson, a 5th round pick from the 2008 draft. Hudson blew through four levels in the minor leagues last season, compiling a 2.32 ERA with a .94 WHIP. In 147 1/3 innings, he struck out 166 batters. He should be first in line to fill in for a starter at the major league level when needed.
Jordan Danks should be ready to play a role in the outfield in 2011, although all three current starting outfielders will still be under contract. One option would be to put Carlos Quentin at designated hitter next season if they want to get Danks’ bat in the line up every day. Danks struggled somewhat in his promotion to Double-A last season, hitting just .243 after hitting .322 in High-A. He finished the season with nine home runs and 12 steals in 402 at bats.
Third basemen Dayan Viciedo got off to a slow start in Double-A but picked up steam as the season went along, finishing with a .280 batting average and 12 home runs. He still needs to work on his plate discipline with only 23 walks in 527 plate appearances.
How they rank:
Baseball America: Flowers (2), Hudson (3), Danks (5), Viciedo (7), Santeliz (9)
Keith Law: Flowers (1), Hudson (3), Danks (4), Viciedo (7)
John Sickels: Hudson (1), Flowers (3), Danks (5), Viciedo (6), Retherford (8)
Here is a look at 2010 Charlotte Knights roster by position:
Catchers:
Tyler Flowers
Adam Ricks
Infielders:
1B Javier Colina
2B C.J. Retherford
SS Robert Hudson
3B Dayan Viciedo
Brent Lillibridge
Javier Castillo
Outfielders:
Brady Clark
Jordan Danks
Alejandro De Aza
Stefan Gartrell
Josh Kroeger
Miguel Negron
Starting Pitchers:
Lucas Harrell
Dan Hudson
Jeffrey Marquez
Carlos Torres
Wes Whisler
Relief Pitchers:
Greg Aquino
Ryan Braun
Justin Cassel
Freddy Dolsi
Clevelan Santeliz
Erick Threets
Matt Zaleski
