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JOHN SICKELS: Prospects In The Carlos Quentin Trade

At Minor League Ball, John Sickels has some comments on the two prospects acquired by the Chicago White Sox from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Carlos Quentin.

Of 23-year-old righthander Simon Castro, Sickels writes:

Castro still has a fine arm, featuring a 90-95 MPH fastball. His slider has plus moments, but he’s still working to refine his changeup. His mechanics are complicated and his command fails if they get out of whack, but the arm strength for success is still here, and until ’11 he did a good job throwing strikes most of the time. He still has a chance to be a starting pitcher, although many scouts prefer him in relief. I have him rated as a Grade C+ in my upcoming 2012 Baseball Prospect Book.

And of 22-year-old lefthander Pedro Hernandez, Sickels says:

Hernandez has an 88-92 MPH fastball along with a good changeup and mediocre curve. There’s nothing spectacular about him, but he throws strikes and could develop into a fifth starter or a relief option. I currently rate him as a Grade C prospect.

Sickels doesn’t rate either one of these pitchers as a “premium” prospect, but does say that Castro has some upside and that the White Sox farm system needs “infusions of talent from any possible source.”

White Sox Trade Carlos Quentin To Padres

Carlos Quentin was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the San Diego Padres on Saturday. The White Sox got a pair of prospects in return for the All-Star outfielder.