After right-handed Dylan Cease made his highly anticipated major-league debut Wednesday, all eyes turned to the minor leagues to see who’s next.
With newly engaged Michael Kopech still recovering from last year’s Tommy John surgery, the Sox’ top two prospects, Nick Madrigal and Luis Robert, are tearing it up with Class AA Birmingham.
They’ve been so impressive that the pair of prospects were picked to represent the Sox in Cleveland this weekend at the Futures Game.
Madrigal was humbled by the honor.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of great talent,” Madrigal said Thursday during a conference call. “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for the last couple years. I’ve watched it on TV, I’ve had friends who have played in it. I told my mom it’s something I wanted to do this year, to play in this game.”
Madrigal and Robert offer a one-two punch in the Baron’s lineup. They feed off one another’s energy, Madrigal said.
Robert, who was promoted to Birmingham before Madrigal this season, is hitting .312 with 27 RBI in 54 games with the Barons.
“The way he runs [on a ball] in the gap getting triples, he definitely sparks your team,” Madrigal said of Robert. “Baseball’s kind of contagious, and once he gets on it’s easier to hit. The pitcher feels some pressure. It’s just great playing beside him.”
But Madrigal is also a player who brings a lot of heat with his bat.
Madrigal, the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft, has made a smooth transition to Birmingham since he was promoted from Advanced Class A Winston Salem last month. In 23 games, he’s is hitting .382 with 11 RBI, nine walks and only two strikeouts. He also has nine stolen bases with Birmingham.
“He’s not striking out very often, he’s swinging the bat very well right now,” manager Rick Renteria said of Madrigal, who shared the Sox’ Minor-League Co-Players of the Month honor for June with Winston-Salem outfielder Steele Walker. “Everybody’s been very impressed with his bat to ball skills. Hopefully as we continue to move forward as an organization, he continues to press the issue and push everybody to continue to see him as what they thought he can be, a guy that can handle the bat and play the field and do a lot of different things. Sooner or later hopefully their time will come.”
Madrigal and Robert’s timelines to the majors are still unknown. They could receive a big-league call-up late in the season, perhaps in September. But it’s more likely that they’ll make their debuts with the Sox in 2020.
McClure on track
Another prospect who seems right on track with his development is right-hander Kade McClure.
After suffering a season-ending knee injury last May, McClure has thrown well this season splitting time between Class A Kannapolis and Winston Salem. He’s a combined 7-5 with a 2.68 ERA. He’s walked only 37 batters, while striking out 131 in 137 2⁄3 innings.
“I’m just trying to really attack the zone and cut down on the number of walks,” he said. “You obviously can’t control everything, but put the ball in the zone and trust the defense behind me.”
Sanchez day-to-day
Second baseman Yolmer Sanchez left Thursday’s game in the fourth after Tigers infielder Niko Goodrum stepped on his hand as he dived back to first base.
X-rays were negative, but Sanchez received three stitches. He’s day-to-day, but Renteria said Sanchez could play Saturday against the Cubs.
