26-year old righty swinging SS/2B Brent Lillibridge was the #8 rated prospect in the White Sox’ minor league system heading into this season according to Baseball America. But he hasn’t proved worthy of that rating this season for the White Sox. He has played in 41 games for the White Sox this season and he is 13 for 80 (.163 avg, .460 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 RBI and 5 stolen bases. The White Sox have a lot of players ahead of Lillibridge so he will have to pick up his play to get on the field in the future for the Pale Hose.

The White Sox have shut down 26-year old lefty swinging 2B Chris Getz for the year due to sports hernia surgery that he is to have done tomorrow. Getz had a solid year for the White Sox playing in 107 games in which he was 98 for 375 (.261 avg, .671 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 2 homers, 31 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. Getz will be replaced in the starting lineup by 27-year old righty swinging Jayson Nix. Nix has played in 90 games for the Pale Hose this season and he is 57 for 247 (.231 avg, .735 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 12 homers, 32 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Nix has more power than Getz but not as much speed so the White Sox will likely be o.k. at 2B the rest of the season.

23-year old righty swinging 3B Gordan Beckham has been a huge bright spot for the White Sox this season. He started the year in the minors as the White Sox’ #1 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Beckham played in 45 games in AA+AAA ball this season and he was 57 for 175 (.326 avg, .904 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 4 homers, 25 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. With his performance in the minors he forced himself to the majors with the White Sox to fill the black hole they had at 3B. He has played in 96 games for the Pale Hose this season and he is 94 for 352 (.267 avg, 808 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 14 homers, 58 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Look for Beckham to be a big part of the White Sox future.

The White Sox have lost 26-year old righty starter/reliever Jack Egbert off waivers to the Mets. He pitched in 2 games (0 starts) this year for the White Sox and he was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA and a 3.75 WHIP. He only pitched 2 2/3 innings this season for the Pale Hose and he was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA and a 3.75 WHIP. Egbert was pitching B.P. for the White Sox allowing 8 hits in only 2 2/3 innings for them. He wasn’t much better in AAA for the Pale Hose. He pitched in 30 games (18 starts) in AAA-ball this season and he was 6-11 with 1 save, a 5.05 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Egbert wasn’t missing many bats in AAA either allowing 132 hits in only 108 2/3 innings there. The White Sox were probably stunned to see someone claim him off waivers due to the way he pitched this year.

The Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks pulled his right calf and is probably done for the year.  Jenks pitched last Thursday in Seattle against the Mariners and that might have been the last time you will see Bobby Jenks pitching for the Chicago White Sox.  Jenks is eligible for arbitration next year and will make close to $8 million.  He is only making around $5 million this year and there is talk that the White Sox will trade the big closer and move left-hander Matt Thornton to the closers role.

Jenks has been a top closer in the AL ever since he was brought up in 2005, but his production and velocity has slowly dwindled.  He is still a very good closer and there are a lot of teams out there that would want Jenks.  If the White Sox can afford him, I think they should definitely hang on to him.  This year Jenks went 3-4 with a 3.71 ERA with 29 saves in 35 opportunities in 53 1/3 innings pitched.  In 274 career games with the White Sox, Jenks is 13-15 with a 3.21 ERA, 146 saves in 168 opportunities and 273 K’s compared to only 92 walks.

Bobby Jenks revitalized his baseball career with the Chicago White Sox when he came up with them in the 2005 season.  The right handed closer has always been an extremely talented hard-thrower, but Jenks major league career was delayed as he had a lot of personal demons he battled with throughout his minor league days.  Jenks found a home with the White Sox and became a hero on the south side of Chicago as he helped them win their first World Series title in 88 years.