Jared

Mitchell

Mitchell, 24, batted .237/.358/.420 with 11 home runs, 67 RBI, 21 stolen bases and a .778 OPS in 130 games this season between Double- and Triple-A. He still strikes out way too much, but finally appears to have his speed back following his ankle injury in 2010.

The former first round pick is fully recovered from an ankle injury he suffered in 2010, and has been drawing rave reviews from the team’s instructional league this offseason. He has troubled to make consistent contact, but possesses an intriguing blend of power and speed and could compete for a reserve outfielder’s role in spring training.

Mitchell showed off some of his promise, hitting .367 (11-for-30) with a homer, five RBI and a pair of steals in 13 spring games. The White Sox outfield was just too crowded for him to crack the Opening Day roster. Expect to see him at the big league level at some point during the 2013 season.

Mitchell was sent down to Double-A after batting just .132 (7-for-53) with two extra-base hits (zero homers) and 27 strikeouts in 12 games with Triple-A Charlotte, so this provides some context for his early struggles. He had a good spring with the White Sox, but the injury will slow his track to the big league level.

Mitchell, 24, began the season with Triple-A Charlotte, but he batted just .132 (7-for-53) with two extra-base hits (zero homers) and 27 strikeouts in 12 games. The 2009 first-round pick will try to get back on track against lesser competition.

Rightly so. Mitchell destroyed the ball in Double-A Birmingham. In Double-A he slashed .299/.367/.561. Earlier this season, he struggled in Triple-A (hence why he was in Double-A to begin with), but he’s coming in on a roll this time ‘round.

The former first-round pick was just never able to progress as hoped. Now 26, Mitchell was off to a 2-for-40 start at Triple-A Charlotte.

The 27-year-old was a first round pick of the White Sox in 2009. He spent most of the 2015 campaign in the Angels organization, slashing .209/.298/.318 with five homers and 22 RBI in 100 games between two minor league levels.

Mitchell might have 20- or 25-homer ability, but his long swing could lead to low averages. Also, he’s no sure thing to last in center field. He has the raw speed, but he’s not a great defender right now and his arm is below average. If he moves to left, he may not have the bat to make it.

Mitchell was selected 23rd overall out of Louisiana State University. The 20-year-old boasts 20-to-25 home run potential and good speed. He will make his professional debut with Single-A Kannapolis on Thursday.