White Sox Prospect Season Recap: No.16, Samuel Zavala

The 2024 season for the Chicago White Sox was one of the worst in modern day baseball history. They were 41-121 and the worst team in the league by far. The bright spots were few and far between, as the team was very hard to watch for many White Sox fans. 

However, down on the farm, the White Sox have some very intriguing players that can give fans a glimmer of hope for the future. We will be recapping the seasons of some of the best prospects in the White Sox system, starting from #30 and going in order to #1 as MLB Pipeline has them ranked. As you’ll see, there are some very intriguing prospects that can help bring the White Sox back to relevance.

Samuel Zavala is the White Sox 16th ranked prospect, as he fell around eight spots from the Spring Training prospect rankings. When he was traded to the White Sox in the Dylan Cease trade, he slotted in as a top-10 prospect for the White Sox. Unfortunately, this season wasn’t one to remember, although he still was impactful in some areas.

While Zavala is extremely young, as he will turn 21 halfway into the season, he has shown flashes of becoming a very solid major leaguer. However, the results weren’t what he expected this season.

Zavala spent the whole year at High-A Winston-Salem, his first extended look at the level. In 111 games, he hit .187 with eight homeruns and 39 RBIs. He added 14 stolen bases as well.

While the average is not where you want it to be, he had a .340 OBP. When you consider how low his average is, that is extremely impressive. Zavala has a fantastic eye at the plate, as he walked 83 times while walking 104. That is a great ratio for a 20 year old hitter.

On top of that, Zavala also can make some plays in the field.

What a play by Samuel Zavala! pic.twitter.com/kVbBa8FWTU

— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) April 14, 2024

MLB Pipeline grades him with an above average arm in the outfield and grade him as an average defender. He had a few highlight reel plays in the outfield this season, so they may need to update that grade.

While the hitting wasn’t where the White Sox would like it to be, he had an encouraging season in other parts of the game. If he can bring his average up this year, his stats will look even more impressive, potentially boosting him up to national top prospect lists.