Trayce Thompson - OF - Kannapolis Intimidators

Trayce Thompson is a wirey 6'3" and 195. Tall, slim frame with relaxed and balanced approach at the plate. Still a work in progress at the plate. Needs to work on identifying the off-speed pitches as he tends to get out on his front foot. Much like Nate McClouth with an upper cut that he tends to exaggerate at times. Power will come as he continues to gain strength and fill out. Average speed out of the box and on the base paths. Intelligent on the base paths and an excellent hustle factor will make him an above average base runner as he continues to play at the pro level.

Also plays an intelligent center field. Covers the field from gap to gap. Long strides with a smooth approach to fly balls. Average arm strength, but still raw defensive talent at this point. One opportunity caught sacrifice fly at the wall (approximately 370 feet) set his feet and delivered a one hop throw to home plate. As he continues to gain experience and strength delivery from outfield should improve. Needs to get ball down and more on a line.

Very much a work in progress, but it's still early in his development. An athlete that has an obvious passion and drive to improve. A lot of upside and with continued development a solid center field prospect for the White Sox organization. Should be a starter at the major league level.

Joe Serafin - LHP - Kannapolis Intimidators

Joe Serafin, a 5'10" LHP out of the University of Vermont, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 37th round of the 2009 Amateur Draft and currently playing for the Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League. Throws a lot of off speed stuff. Fast ball stays in the low 80s. A slider/2 seam fastball that comes in the mid 70s and a curve ball that stays around the high 60s. Wind up and delivery has a lot of movement and is very mechanical with a high leg kick. Tends to leave the ball up in the zone. With the low velocity and the consistent off speed stuff he needs to keep the ball low in the zone and get ground balls. Gets hit hard when he leaves the ball up in the zone, 5 of 10 hits allowed today were extra base hits to the gaps or home runs along with 2 line drive base hits to the gap. Lacks stamina at this point to be a viable starting option (averaging approximately 5 innings per outing). The more pitches he throws the more he leaves it up in the zone. Effective when he keeps it down in the zone, forces a lot of ground balls and can get the double play ball when needed. Doesn't appear to have the confidence in his stuff with runners on base and tends to aim the ball. Needs to trust his stuff and his catcher to be able to throw off speed pitches down in the zone and get much needed outs with runners on. Works well to both sides of the plate and keeps the ball off the sweet spot of the bat early in the game.

Its still early, but Serafin needs to gain confidence in his stuff and work more consistently through 2nd and 3rd times through the lineup. Otherwise a move to middle relief may be in his future with the organization.

Dallas Tarleton - C - Asheville Tourists

With a 1.7-1.9 pop time, Dallas Tarleton, has allowed him to throw out 14 of 31 base stealers (45%) in only 18 games this season. He gets a quick shuffle and takes ball directly to the ear and releases the ball with an average release time in the .65 range. Liability defensively is he will sometime throw off the back foot or sling the ball causing the ball to tail toward right field. Does well keeping ball in front. Blocks balls well to the right and left (only 3 past balls this year). Needs to funnel ball directly in front more, often bounces off to 1st or 3rd base sides. Calls a good game behind the plate. Mixes it up a lot and doesn't show setup too early but presents an effective target for the pitcher.

Offensively, he has yet to show much consistency. For his career (granted that only amounts to 166 at bats) he is under the Mendoza Line (which is .200) at .199. Short in stature, Tarleton stands in the plate with a textbook upper body swing. Easy load, hands move back, slightly open stance closes and he is down and through the ball. Swing is not quick, which could explain his early inconsistencies. Hits ball well to center and left. Has line drive power from gap to gap. Has yet to hit a home run in his pro career. Weak on the inner half of the plate. Needs to improve bat speed and ability to hit that inside pitch and power will come. Another hint that bat speed needs to improve is the 1 strike out per every 4 at bats.

Defensive ability will keep him in the system. Has the potential to hit for power and his ability to hit the ball gap to gap give him the potential to hit near .275 (career .324 at Elon University). Playing in a catching heavy organization. Will probably continue moving up the ranks with another organization.