The first game I saw in Arizona (here is the box score) was Friday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium. It was a high-scoring game, with the White Sox downing the Angels, 10-7. Many big-name stars, including Jake Peavy, Torii Hunter, Kendry Morales, and Alex Rios, shined, but I focused on the young players of course. The biggest news involved White Sox outfielder Jared Mitchell. A 1st-round pick last year, Mitchell injured his ankle making a catch in left field and figures to be out for the season. It is a shame, as Mitchell is arguably Chicago's top prospect and will miss a full season of reps. An ankle injury is also particularly concerning for a player whose best tool is his blazing speed. As a side note, Mitchell's grab was the most spectacular piece of defensive work I've ever seen in person. The fleet-footed LSU product sprinted back and robbed Juan Rivera of extra bases while crashing into the wall and holding onto the ball. I regret not getting that on video. Here's hoping Mitchell has a speedy recovery and comes back at full strength next year.
This game wasn't teeming with prospects, but a few got some PT. Diminutive Angels 2B Alexi Amarista, a sleeper who hit .319/.390/.468 with 38 SB at Low A Cedar Rapids last season, got one at-bat. The 20-year-old Venezuelan has solid control of the strike zone, and posted a 50-61 BB-K ratio in 2009.
Angels C Hank Conger, a former 1st-round pick and arguably the team's top prospect, also entered for a late-game AB.
White Sox #5 prospect Brent Morel, who hit .281/.335/.453 with 16 HR in his first full season at High A Winston-Salem in 2009, started at third base. Morel (6-2, 220) isn't overly athletic or flashy, but he is a solid, well-rounded player.
I got several more videos from this game (though I wasn't in the front few rows so they are not as good as from other games). Here is White Sox OF Jordan Danks (Chicago's #4 prospect):
Here are 3B/1B Dayan Viciedo and OF Stefan Gartrell, a couple of big, power-hitting righties on whom I am not very high:
Last but not least, here is budding White Sox star Gordon Beckham. He posted a stout .351 wOBA as a 22/23-year-old rookie last season.
