After ESPN's Keith Law ranked the Chicago White Sox is the worst farm system in baseball on Wednesday and claimed they were "not particularly close to No. 29, either," it should come as no surprise that only one prospect from the system hit Law's Top 100 list released on Thursday. Twenty-three year old relief pitcher Addison Reed barely made the cut at No. 97 overall, while prospects like pitchers Nestor Molina, Simon Castro, Jhan Marinez and Pedro Hernandez and infielder Osvaldo Martinez didn't get a mention.
Law does not think Reed will ever hit the starting rotation due to his "lack of a usable changeup) and "some delivery flaws," but does believe he can make an immediate impact in the bullpen because "he can dominate right-handed bats with the stuff he has right now." White Sox GM Kenny Williams likely thinks along the same lines, considering he traded away incumbent closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season. Last season Law had Reed as an unranked prospect, but his dominant 2011 performance in the minors forced recognition this year.
Since moving to the pen Reed has thrown a fastball that ranges from 95-99 mph and uses a sharp slider as a wipeout pitch. He is expected to compete for the closer job in spring training this year.
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