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	Saturday, January 6
	White Sox minor-league report By John Sickels Special to ESPN.com
	System overview Pitching, pitching, pitching. The White Sox concentrated on pitching in recent drafts; as a result, their minor-league system now has what is likely the deepest well of young pitching talent in the game today. While Kip Wells and Jon Garland struggled at times in 2000, no one denies their raw talent, and there is a terrific group backing them up. Jon Rauch may be the best right-handed pitching prospect in baseball, and several others aren't far behind. There is less depth among position players, although the 2000 draft may go some way towards changing that. Third baseman Joe Crede is nearly ready for the majors, and 2000 draftee Joe Borchard should also move quickly. The one danger for the White Sox now is complacency. They have an excellent young core to work with, but they must avoid the temptation to dissipate their assets in reckless trades. If they stay the course, they are well-positioned for long-term contention in the AL Central. 2000 Minor League W-L Percentage: .483 (ranked 21st) 2000 amateur draft The big name for the White Sox in the 2000 draft was Stanford outfielder Joe Borchard, their first-round pick. Scouts love his terrific power, but it took an incredible $5.3 million bonus to buy him away from football. He did well in limited action after signing, and could be as little as a year away. He could be similar to J.D. Drew, with less speed and more power. Tim Hummel, a shortstop from Old Dominion drafted in the second round, also did well in his pro debut. A high-average hitter with some power, he also has a chance to move fast, although he won't see Comiskey as quickly as Borchard will. Third-rounder Mike Morse, a high school shortstop from Florida, and fourth-rounder Alvin Jones, a high school pitcher from Texas, are talented but unrefined, and won't be expected to jump the ladder quickly. Another pair of high school hitters, speedy outfielder Bo Ivy from Mississippi, and second baseman Chris Amador from Puerto Rico, did very well in rookie ball, and could contribute sooner than Morse and Jones. The Sox didn't draft much high-caliber pitching in 2000, choosing instead to stock the hitting side of their minor-league rosters. The early returns are good, although the players drafted past Borchard and Hummel tend be on the toolsy, unrefined side. Top prospects 1) Jon Rauch, RHP: Let's see. He's 6-11, throws 95 mph, throws strikes, and went 16-4 with an excellent K/BB ratio in 2000. Sounds like an awesome prospect to me. 2) Joe Crede, 3B: Overcame injury-riddled 1999 season. Hit .306 with 21 homers in Double-A. May need some Triple-A polish, and the Sox will give it to him if necessary. Strike zone judgment is fair but not faultless. 3) Matt Ginter, RHP: 1999 first-rounder, went 11-8 with 2.25 ERA in Double-A. Throws nasty sinker, slider combination, but combusted in brief major-league action, and isn't quite ready. Relief may be his best option. 4) Lorenzo Barcelo, RHP: Did well in trial with Chicago, could help as either a starter or reliever. Can hit 95 mph and usually throws strikes. 5) Joe Borchard, OF: See draft commentary. Others of note Josh Fogg, RHP: Doesn't throw as hard as Rauch, Ginter, or Barcelo, but works the corners with his breaking pitches and adequate fastball. Posted 2.57 ERA in Double-A, with 136/44 K/BB ratio. Gary Majewski, RHP: Excellent stuff, still learning command. Did very well in 22 Midwest League starts, but struggled with control after promotion to Carolina League. Miguel Olivo, C: Acquired in trade with Oakland. Outstanding defensive catcher with a chance to have a decent bat. Brian West, RHP: Another big, hard-thrower, hitting 95 mph. Needs better control, and weak 93/79 K/BB mark shows he won't be ready for awhile. Dan Wright, RHP: Can hit 97 mph, with a wicked curve. Strikeout rate is low for someone who throws that hard, meaning that he won't be ready immediately, like West. Other names to know: Rocky Biddle, RHP; Amaury Garcia, 2B; Gary Glover, RHP; Matt Guerrier, RHP; Jeff Liefer, 1B; Corwin Malone, LHP; Terrell Merriman, OF; Spencer Oborn, OF; Rob Purvis, RHP; Julio Ramirez, OF; Aaron Rowand, OF; Jason Stumm, RHP; Nelson Teilon, 2B; Mario Valenzuela, OF. John Sickels is working on the STATS 2001 Minor League Scouting Notebook. You can e-mail your questions to him at JASickels@AOL.com.	ALSO SEE Hot Stove Heaters: White Sox ESPN.com's Hot Stove Heaters