The 1990 Chicago White Sox minor leaguers

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Features on each member of the 1990 Chicago White Sox farm system

Complete:

  • AAA - Vancouver Canadians (27)
  • AA - Birmingham Barons (30)
  • High-A - Sarasota White Sox (31)
  • Single-A - South Bend White Sox (32)
  • Short-Season - Utica Blue Sox (33)


Vancouver Canadians (27)

1 - Wilson Alvarez, More Comfortable
Wilson Alvarez had a bad first major league start. He went on to play in 14 major league seasons.
2 - Rich Amaral, Plugged Away
Rich Amaral kept plugging away. He eventually made the bigs and stayed for a decade.
3 - Mike Campbell, Big Things
Mike Campbell hoped for big things. He played in six major league seasons.
4 - Pete Dalena, Almost Over
The Indians needed a rally and Pete Dalena tried to start it with a double. It was his only major league hit.
5 - Moe Drabowsky, Psychological Rewards
Moe Drabowsky found great psychological rewards in coaching.
6 - Tom Drees, Better Word
Tom Drees threw three no-hitters - in one season - at AAA in 1989. He didn't get called up until two seasons later.
7 - Marv Foley, Still Communicating
Marv Foley has tried to ensure his players knew what they needed to know when major league time came.
8 - Grady Hall, Head Start
Grady Hall wanted to make the majors as a starter or a reliever. He never made it.
9 - Orsino Hill, Everyday Player
Orsino Hill welcomed a drop to AA in 1989, as long as he played. He played 12 seasons, but he never made the bigs. 
10 - Shawn Hillegas, Personal Goal
Shawn Hillegas was 'nervous as heck' in his major league debut. He almost got a complete game.
11 - Roger LaFrancois, Major League Catcher
Roger LaFrancois waited his lifetime for that game. He also waited the entire season.
12 - Marcus Lawton, Hard Baseball
Marcus Lawton played good, hard baseball. He got 10 games in the majors.
13 - Ravelo Manzanillo, Four Pitches
Ravelo Manzanillo spent a year out of the pros before he made the bigs. He then spent six years trying to get back.
14 - Norberto Martin, His Best
Norberto Martin knew after injury he'd just have to work harder. He did, and he returned to the majors.
15 - Marlin McPhail, Utility Man
Marlin McPhail put himself in position to get called up, but it didn't happen. He later became a scout.
16 - John Pawlowski, Keep Working
John Pawlowski was excited at making the White Sox in 1988. He stayed for six games.
17 - Charles Penigar, Early Trade
Charles Penigar was in a trade that included a Hall of Famer and a career-minor leaguer. Penigar was the latter.
18 - Adam Peterson, When He Didn't
Adam Peterson was hard-working, dedicated and aggressive on the mound. He was a major leaguer for parts of five seasons.
19 - Steve Rosenberg, Mixed Emotions
Steve Rosenberg had mixed emotions about making the Padres rotation in 1991.
20 - Ramon Sambo, More Hits
Ramon Sambo got more confident and consistent in 1984 but not enough to make majors.
21 - Jose Segura, Place For Him 
Jose Segura went from reliever to starter to reliever to the majors.
22 - Keith Smith, Fielding Accolades
Keith Smith caught the eye of Steinbrenner in 1984, though the real aim of the positive comments may have been elsewhere.
23 - Todd Trafton, Every Year
Todd Trafton played every year like it was the one to get him to the majors. He never got there.
24 - Don Wakamatsu, Difficult Tasl
Don Wakamatsu worked to catch a knuckleballer in his major league debut. He later became a major league manager.
25 - Jerry Willard, Another Shot
Jerry Willard thought he was done with baseball in 1988. He wasn't.
26 - Dana Williams, Higher Level
Dana Williams helped young players make it to the bigs. He helped himself get there for eight games.
27 - Tracy Woodson, His Chance
Tracy Woodson got his chances in the majors. He later became a college coach. 


1990 Birmingham Barons (30)

1 - Tom Alfredson, Calmed Down
2 - Birmingham Barons Batboys, Years Later
3 - Cesar Bernhardt, No Comparison
4 - Ken Berry, Eventual Goal
5 - Kurt Brown, Kept Working
6 - Edgar Caceres, Almost Anything
7 - Cornelio Garcia, Mexican Hall
8 - Mike Gellinger, Great Stuff
9 - Carlos Delacruz, Division Hopes
10 - Brian Drahman, For Him
11 - Buddy Groom, Thankful For
12 - Sam Hairston, Treasured It
13 - Todd Hall, Endorsement Deal
14 - Roberto Hernandez, Will to Compete
15 - John Hudek, Exceeded Goal
16 - Bo Kennedy, Not Here
17 - Derek Lee, Up North
18 - Will Magallanes, From Injury
19 - Rodney McCray, Baseball Immortality
20 - Matt Merullo, Inner Drive
21 - Rick Peterson, High Percentage
22 - Dave Reynolds, Decisive Year
23 - Pat Roessler, Further Up
24 - Greg Roth, Good Shot
25 - Rich Scheid, Good Things
26 - Matt Stark, Positive Attitude
27 - Ron Stephens, Very Good
28 - Frank Thomas, Dimension of Power
29 - Aubrey Waggoner, Ran Home
30 - Dave Wallwork, Brought His


Sarasota White Sox (31)

South Bend White Sox (32)

1 - Mike Barnett, Disguised Blessing, 4/1/17
2 - Len Brutcher, Something New, 5/6/17
3 - Frank Campos, Late Innings, 10/29/18
4 - Scott Cepicky, Change Over, 3/31/17
5 - Kirk Champion, Role Changes, 4/23/17
6 - Mike Eatinger, Different Ballplayer, 4/29/17
7 - Tom Forrester, In Style, 4/8/17
8 - John Hairston, First Game, 4/22/17
9 - Jeff Ingram, Big Hit, 4/26/17
10 - Earnie Johnson, Came Through, 10/12/18
11 - Scott Johnson, Award Winning, 4/20/17
12 - Greg Kobza, Not Easy, 4/3/17
13 - Rich Long, Good Fastball, 4/15/17
14 - Danny Matznick, About Him, 4/25/17
15 - Mike Mitchener, Uncharted Waters, 4/4/17
16 - Mike Mongiello, Like This, 4/2/17
17 - Rick Patterson, Old Ballplayer, 4/8/17
18 - Ron Plemmons, His Rhythm, 4/2/17
19 - Jorge Ramos, Live Up, 4/16/17
20 - Jim Reinebold, Disciplinarian Coach, 4/18/17
21 - Johnny Ruffin, Another Year, 10/14/18
22 - Steve Schrenk, Big Shoes, 4/15/17
23 - Joe Singley, Have To, 4/3/17
24 - Scott Stevens, Good Record, 4/6/17
25 - Leo Tejada, Big Night, 4/1/17
26 - Craig Teter, Hot Month, 4/22/17
27 - Dave Van Winkle, Pro Prospect, 4/9/17
28 - Bill Vanderwel, Home Country, 4/19/17
29 - Dennis Walker, Two Seasons, 4/5/17
30 - Bob Wickman, Ran With It, 5/6/17
31 - Jerry Wolak, Equaled Output, 5/2/17
32 - John Zaksek, Perfect Day, 4/7/17


Utica Blue Sox (33)

  1. Bill Ballou had patience, calming effect as minors coach; In offseason, he taught physical education in school, 4/18/21
  2. Rod Bolton stayed on an even enough keel to see the bigs over two seasons, also saw Japan, 4/29/21
  3. Mike Bradish played for South Bend, his mother almost did; He saw five pro seasons, made high-A, 4/16/21
  4. Frank Campos came on in 19th inning of 1988 game, got win; Saw nine pro seasons, made AAA, 3/28/21
  5. Rolando Caridad pitched as expected in high school, well; Saw five pro seasons, made high-A, 4/16/21
  6. Kevin Coughlin gained confidence at single-A, he then got to play with Jordan; Made AAA, 3/26/21
  7. Lee Dorsey got drafted, but didn't sign; Signed out of tryout, saw three pro games, 3/30/21
  8. Chris Fruge came on strong, then got delayed shot at pros; Saw single pro campaign, 4/30/21
  9. Dave Gorman turned pro and turned to pitching; Played in two pro seasons, made single-A, 4/2/21
  10. Todd Hotz got playing time at Texas, then got it in the pros; Played a single pro campaign, then became attorney, 3/25/21
  11. Pat Hulme picked up win in GCL; Saw rookie league over three seasons, briefly Utica, 4/15/21
  12. Jonathan Jenkins returned to field after stress fracture; Saw eight pro seasons, made high-A, 3/24/21
  13. Charley Lau Jr. followed his father into coaching hitters, became 'hitting guru' in own right, 4/19/21
  14. Todd Martin flat out hit in high school, enough for third round; Pro career lasted two seasons, 3/31/21
  15. Ron McKay has served as a coach in high school, college and pros, also as instructor, 4/20/21
  16. Dan Monzon never doubted his ability to play; Saw four pro seasons, made single-A, 3/27/21
  17. Morganna made her name - The Kissing Bandit - on the field, just not really invited, 5/1/21
  18. Murnane Field has hosted sports for decades, before the pro Blue Sox arrived, and after they left, 4/11/12
  19. Rogelio Nunez played nine seasons, learned English with Michael Jordan's help; Made AA, 4/5/21
  20. Rafael Ochoa used his ability over four pro seasons; Hoped to make bigs, made single-A, 4/23/21
  21. Rick Ray served as a minors trainer, then in college and as a mentor, 4/21/21
  22. Adam Sanders broke up no-hitter with hard grounder in 1990; Saw two pro seasons, 4/1/21
  23. Ernesto Santana got called up for exhibition; Saw seven pro seasons, never saw AA, 4/2/21
  24. John Smith picked up late-season complete-game win for Utica; Saw three seasons, made high-A, 3/26/21
  25. Joe Solimine hit to opposite field over three pro seasons, made single-A; Later went into insurance, 4/23/21
  26. Chris Sparrow came back from slump with home run at Utica; Played two pro seasons, 4/25/21
  27. Keith Strange hoped position moves would better bigs opportunity; Played four pro seasons, made AA, 4/8/21
  28. Dean Tatarian hit Yankee Stadium home run; Played six pro seasons, made AAA, never made bigs, 4/12/21
  29. Craig Teter had 14-game hitting streak in rookie ball; Saw three pro seasons, made single-A, 4/17/21
  30. Tommy Thompson played, coached for years in White Sox system; Later got career 2nd chance through sobriety, 4/17/21
  31. Kevin Tolar got his pitches over for a decade plus, then made the majors; Saw time in three ML campaigns, 4/3/21
  32. Kerry Valrie loved to hit, in two sports; Played nine pro baseball seasons, made AAA, also tried for NFL, 4/9/21
  33. Barry Williams showed sterling defense in a 1990 game at Utica; Saw two pro seasons, 4/27/21

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