Retherford had 3 RBI including a 2-run HR in the 8th inning to give the Javelinas the lead for good in the final. However, overall, Retherford’s AFL didn’t go as well though. He got off to a hot start, but slumped the rest of the way to finish with lines of .246/.333/.348/.681 (not including the title game) in 69 AB. On the upside, he had seven walks and just nine strikeouts. Obviously, the AFL isn’t long enough for a healthy sample size, but it is encouraging to see C.J. walk more than normal and still have a good contact rate. He didn’t show a lot of power, but his two HR came against Stephen Strasburg and in the title game. He’s been getting more attention as he nears the Majors, but a projection as a utility man (possibly even an above-average one) still remains reasonable and likely.

The highlight of the AFL from the Sox standpoint has been Brent Morel. Morel captured the league batting title after hitting .435 (27-62). Before everyone gets too excited, he only had four extra base hits and four walks. He’s not likely to be a star hitter, but he plays good defense and makes contact. What more could you want out of a third baseman? The question becomes what his ETA is. Morel is more than likely going to start in AA to start 2010 putting him 1-2 years away still. Mark Teahan’s arrival probably puts the Sox in no rush to move Morel through the upper levels of the system.

Meanwhile, Jordan Danks finished in the top five in hits, walks and OBP and led the league in runs scored (31). Danks plays good center field and the scouts agreed in various reports out of Arizona. He had a great walk rate (20 in 99 AB) and hit .343, but the concern has been contact rate and he did nothing to change that. He struck out in almost 22% of his plate appearances in Arizona, staying in line with his 2009 numbers in Winston-Salem and Birmingham. He doesn’t project to hit for big power so he will need to improve that to be a successful hitter in the Majors. At the same time, a good defensive center fielder that can get on-base will always have a job.

On the pitching side, no one made a big impression. Kyle Bellamy pitched well, but joined the league late and only pitched 5.2 innings. Matt Long continued the success he had with the Barons late this year, but his high 80s fastball makes him only a fringe prospect. Sergio Santos showed his usual (high velocity, lots of strikeouts and no control) and Justin Cassel and Jacob Rasner had tough times in the fall league.

What member of the Sox organization has been the biggest key to your success to this point?

I don’t know if I could point out one person… All the different rovers and coaches have helped me with different parts of my game. I feel like I have improved in every facet of the game since signing with the White Sox.

Have you had any interaction with Buddy Bell?
Yes, I’ve been pretty fortunate to have Buddy Bell as my minor league coordinator. Not only is he a nice, well-respected guy, he was a great third baseman. He’s helped me out a lot with different things at third base.

I read some of your pre-draft scouting reports the last few days. Some mentioned you being able to possibly play catcher at some point? I know you are considered a plus defensive 3B, but would a switch even be realistic?

Before I was drafted, I heard some people talking about maybe switching; but the White Sox were never a team that wanted to make me a catcher and I haven’t heard anything from them about switching positions.

That leads me to my next question. Have the White Sox given you any indication on where they want to play you long term? Have they sat you down and sort of drawn out a plan?

As far as I know, the Sox want me to stay at third. Every conversation I have had with the rovers and coordinators is trying to improve at 3rd.

How much improvement do you think you need? I know you were voted best defensive 3B in the Carolina League this last year, which had to be a nice honor.

Yes it was nice being honored that from the coaches in the league, but I don’t think there is ever a time to stop improving. I’ll have this off-season to help improve my speed and quickness, and on the field you can never get too many reps to read hops.

Lets talk a little about the AFL. You replaced Dayan Viciedo, who went down with an injury. What were you doing before then? Just normal off-season stuff?

Ya I played in the Instructional League for about a month then I drove back home and was relaxing and letting my body recover a little bit. I was only home for a little over a week when Buddy Bell called me and told me that I had a chance to come play in the AFL. It was nice relaxing but I was really excited for the opportunity to come out here and play.

How has the experience been?

I’ve really enjoyed myself out here. We have a real good group of guys on our team that are fun to be around. It’s been nice getting to play with some of the elite players in the minor leagues.

Anyone really stick out to you? Maybe one guy on your squad, and one guy you have played against that you just say “Damn, this guy is going to be a Major League All Star.”

There are a ton of guys in the fall league that will be future All Stars but the guy probably having the best season is Grant Desme. I’ve played against him in high school and with him at college so its been nice seeing him do so well out here.

Any idea where you may be starting the year? Back in A ball, or do you think you will be starting for the Barons in AA?

My goal is to start in AA but its really out of my control. I’m just going to try and get in the best shape for spring training and go from there

Being as “fair” as possible, what is an optimistic projection for yourself in the majors? What kind of hitter do you see yourself as?

That is tough to answer. I still know there are some things that I need to improve on in my swing before I will be able to contribute to the major league club.

Anything in particular?
Well my whole life I’ve been a guy who hits for a pretty good average and can drive in some runs so hopefully that’s the hitter I’ll be in the major leagues too

You’re from Bakersfield, correct? Who did you grow up rooting for? Still a fan of that team?

Ya, I grew up liking Cal Ripken Jr. so i followed the Orioles till he retired. Since then I haven’t really had a favorite team.

Alright, now for the fun stuff. Top 3 favorite movies?
Shawshank, The Rock, and pretty much any comedy. It’s so hard to pick just one.

Do you have a specific walk up music?

Not really.. I change it a lot. This year I had “Bring Sally Up” by Moby from Gone In 60 Seconds and “8 second ride” by Jake Owen… I pretty much only listen to country music so anything country would work for a walk up song.

I’ve heard you’re a big “Office” fan. Favorite character?

Ya my favorite TV show has to be Seinfeld but The Office is up there. Dwight has to be my favorite from The Office for many reasons but I don’t think there’s a better character on TV than Kramer.

That should just about do it Brent. Myself and everyone at FutureSox would just like to thank you for your time, and look forward to seeing you up with the big club soon.

Thanks, anytime guys.

FutureSox.com would like to again thank Brent for his time.

As for the changes, the most notable is Brent Morel replacing the injured Dayan Viciedo. Viciedo had right elbow inflammation, which is really disappointing because the AFL was a great opportunity for Viciedo to show he is the elite prospect the Sox paid for. Morel has been unspectacular so far in the Cuban’s place. Morel is hitting .280 (7-25), but has no extra base hits and only one walk.

The other addition, reliever Kyle Bellamy, is further proof that Bellamy is the favorite to be the first from the 2009 draft class to make it to the Majors. He’s only pitched two innings, but the former Miami Hurricane has yet to allow a run.

As for the original Javelinas, Jordan Danks is leading the way. He was named to the AFL’s all-star type Rising Stars game that takes place Saturday. Hitting .333 (22-66) he is fourth in the league in OBP at .450, second in runs with 20 and tied for fourth in walks with 13. Most importantly for Danks, he’s only struck out 14 times in 79 plate appearances. Strike out rate has been a noteworthy concern regarding Danks, but so far so good in the AFL.

Meanwhile, C.J. Retherford has been slumping. He is 1 for his last 18 and his average for the fall is down to .255. Early on he was creating a lot of buzz as a competitor for the second base job, or least the backup at some point next season, but the Chris Getz and Josh Fields for Mark Teahen trade complicates things. Gordon Beckham is supposedly moving to second base, locking down that position, but Retherford still may get a shot to battle Jayson Nix for reserve infielder.

The rest of the pitchers aren’t the flashy prospects among the White Sox representatives, but Matt Long has been the best of the group (10.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 7 K, 1 BB). Sergio Santos (9.1 IP, 6.75 ERA, 12 K, 6 BB) has at least shown the strikeout rate you hope for from a pitcher with plus velocity. Justin Cassel (14.2 IP, 5.52 ERA) and Jacob Rasner (2.1 IP, 27 ERA) have struggled and are fading away into non-prospect territory.

Note: stats are through games of November 5.

The Peoria Javelinas, the club where the White Sox prospects are playing, is 5-3 with a league leading .332 batting average. Yes, .332 as a team. The AFL is certainly a hitters’ league and the White Sox hitters have contributed to that. Let’s start by taking a look at how the Sox hitters are doing through the Javelinas’ first 8 games.

C.J. Retherford: 6-15 (.400), 2 3B, 5 RBI, 2 R, BB, K, .438 OBP, .667 SLG, 1.104 OPS

Jordan Danks: 8-22 (.364), 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 1/1 SBA, .462 OBP, .727 SLG, 1.189 OPS

Dayan Viciedo: 6-18 (.333), 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, BB, 6 K

The three hitters the Sox sent to the Phoenix area are clearly the team’s best AFL prospects. All three are off to a hot start in the heat of Arizona. It’s nice to see Danks hit for power, even if it’s in Arizona. The same goes for Viciedo, but striking out in almost 1/3 of his plate appearances is a concern. Danks and Viciedo have a strong case to be the two most intriguing White Sox hitting prospects in 2010 because both are coming off disappointing seasons and are well regarded talents. As for Retherford, he continues to hit at every level. He could be a third contender for playing time at second base next year with a good spring and a hot start in AAA.

Meanwhile, the pitchers haven’t been as successful, which isn’t much of a surprise.

Justin Cassel: 5.2 IP, 9.53 ERA, 8 R (6 ER), 6 K, 2 BB, 11 H in 2 starts

Sergio Santos: 5 IP, 5.40 ERA, 3 R, 5 K, BB, 7 H (2 HR) in 3 games

Matt Long: 5.1 IP, 6.75 ERA, 4 R, 5 K, 0 BB, 8 H in 3 games

Jacob Rasner: 1.1 IP, 33.75 ERA, 5 R, 0 K, BB, 6 H in 2 games

The Sox sent a bunch of fringe prospects to Arizona, but Santos is a more interesting case. The converted infielder has big time heat on his fastball, but needs to refine his stuff. If he improves he could become a high upside reliever. As for the others, Cassel and Rasner are running out of chances. An awful 2009 from Cassel bumped his prospect status and Rasner has been mediocre throughout his career. Long, a 2nd rounder in 2006, had a strong campaign for the Barons, pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since 2006. However, his fastball is only in the high 80s and the rest of his stuff hasn’t been as good as expected so it’s hard to see him as a top prospect.

Let’s not put too much stock into barely more than a week in a fall league, but the Arizona Fall League is a true hidden gem of baseball and is worth following if you are going through early offseason anxiety. For daily updates on the AFL follow us on our Twitter and check out the AFL home page.