The 2009 season has provided many pleasant surprises in the Sox minor league system. With guys like Gordon Beckham, it was expected. With guys like Stephen Sauer – not so much. Here’s a look at some Sox prospects that have had big 2009 campaigns so far. We’ll skip the obvious case of Beckham for now, and look at one breakout performer on each team.

Jon Link – Closer – Charlotte Knights
0-0, 7 saves, 1.78 ERA, 34 K in 25.1 IP, .191 BAA

Since being acquired for utility man Rob Mackowiak in 2007, Link has been constantly improving while moving up in the Sox system. However, he’s likely never found himself closer to the big leagues than he has now. While he doesn’t get a lot of chances to lock down a save for Charlotte, his strikeout and walk numbers have been impressive enough that he could earn a callup at some point this year as a replacement for Jimmy Gobble or Wes Whisler. Link possesses a low-90s fastball to go along with a cutter, slider and changeup. Expect him to receive a shot at some point this year, whether due to a bullpen that has been cleared out due to trades, or simply as a September callup.

Jordan Danks – Centerfielder – Birmingham Barons
.335, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 31 RBI, .928 OPS between Winston-Salem (A+) and Birmingham (AA)

Danks, originally drafted by the Sox in 2005 and redrafted last year in the seventh round, has torn apart the minor leagues for the Dash and the Barons. His power potential had been in doubt while in college, but he’s certainly busted out this year. While he’s not expected to reach the majors quite as quickly as Beckham, he has been touted by Buddy Bell as being ready “right now”. His strikeout rate, however, is still a bit high (56 K in 54 games), and its hard to believe he can continue to maintain such a high batting average on balls in play. That being said, he’s a fantastic defensive centerfielder that could fill out to 15 home run power potential in the majors. He could be moving up to Charlotte at some point this year if he continues his torrid pace.

Nathan Jones – Relief Pitcher – Winston-Salem Dash
3-0, 1.71 ERA, 26.1 IP, 10 H, 31 K, .115 BAA

Jones was horrible in Bristol (0-4, 5.13) in 2007, and horrible in three different stops (2-7, 6.14 ERA between Bristol, Kannapolis and Winston-Salem) in 2008. However, since being moved to the pen, the 6-5 righty has been nearly unhittable for both the Intimidators and the Dash. The 2007 fifth round pick has had trouble finding the strike zone in the past, but the combination of a high 90s fastball and a hard curveball that has been baffling hitters has him shooting up the FutureSox prospect list. If he can indeed harness his control, he’s as good as any relief prospect in the Sox organization. Continued improvement could have him in Birmingham late this year.

Stephen Sauer – Starting Pitcher – Kannapolis Intimidators
2-2, 2.40 ERA, 45 IP, 45 H, 1 BB, 50 K, 1 HR, .251 BAA

Sauer, a tenth round pick of the Sox last year, was decent enough for Great Falls last year (3-2, 3.41), but he’s made his mark in 2009 with outstanding peripherals. If a pitcher can limit walks and home runs, as well as striking out batters, he’s got a chance to succeed. Sauer has been untouchable in nearly all three categories. While the 50 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched isn’t overwhelming, the fact that he’s allowed just one walk and one home run in that same time frame is simply amazing. While those peripherals likely won’t hold up, the fact that he’s doing so well in the strike zone so often means he’s got that chance to succeed. Sauer features a low 90s fastball and decent breaking stuff.

These four guys were more or less on the radar for the White Sox at the beginning of the season, but their hot starts have them shooting up prospect lists. Two of them (Link and Danks) could even see the majors at some point this season, but all four are becoming, or already are legitimate prospects in the White Sox system.