Saturday, April 11, 2026
✶ Untold Chicago Stories ✶ Amazon Music
Home Blog Page 3169

White Sox Zack Burdi Named One Of The Best Relief Pitching Prospects In MLB

By
Dan Fappiano
-
One of the White Sox top prospects was named one of the best relief pitching prospects in the MLB. (Photo courtesy of the MLB)

As they lead up to their reveal of the top 100 prospects on January 28th, MLB Pipeline has been releasing their top ten prospects at each position.

Recently the site announced their top ten second base prospects. Coming in at number one was the White Sox Yoan Moncada. Moncada was acquired in the Chris Sale trade along with Michael Kopech and two others.

He was not only expected to be the best second baseman, but Moncada has a real chance of being named the best prospect in all of baseball. While Moncada may be the crown jewel of the South Side, he isn’t the only White Sox prospect getting love from MLB Pipeline.

Jonathon Mayo is a columnist for MLB Pipeline. In his latest mailbag, Mayo was asked this question from a fan:

Mayo responded by saying:

Actually, we haven’t given it much thought. Perhaps it’s unfair, but Minor League relieves do tend to be under-appreciated. Some of that stems from the belief that many relievers began as starters and couldn’t stick in a rotation. I don’t think that’s as true as it used to be. Just look at the last four National League Rolaids Relief Award winners (now the Trevor Hoffman award). Kenley Jansen, Mark Melancon and Craig Kimbrel (won it two years in a row) never started a game.

Mayo wrote that relief pitching doesn’t get much credit amongst the prospect ranks. However he and other MLB Pipeline writers were able to compile a list of the top five relief pitching prospects in the major leagues.

That list read like this:

1. Joe Jimenez, Tigers
2. Zack Burdi, White Sox
3. J.T. Chargois, Twins
4. James Hoyt, Astros
5. Jimmie Sherfy, D-backs

MLB Pipeline ranked Zack Burdi as the second best relief pitching prospect in the major leagues. Burdi is currently the team’s seventh best prospect according to Fan Graphs.

Burdi has appeared in 26 minor league games and 38 innings. He holds a career 1-0 record with a 3.32 ERA and a 51/20 K/BB ratio. The former Louisville product was the White Sox first round pick of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Much has been made of White Sox prospect Michael Kopech throwing 110 MPH. However Kopech isn’t the only pitching prospect on the South Side who can break 100. Burdi has the ability to hit triple digits on any given pitch.

There’s a good chance that current White Sox closer David Robertson is traded before the end of the 2017 season. While it’s likely that Nate Jones would take over the closers role, it appears as if Burdi is the team’s closer of the future.

He is just 21, yet he has already reached AAA. There’s a chance he breaks camp with the team and an even better chance he ends the 2017 on the major league team. Burdi is the future of the White Sox bullpen.

Mayo is 100% correct in his assessment that relief pitching doesn’t get as much credit in the prospect ranks as starting pitchers do. A player like Lucas Giolito, who is coming off an injury riddled season, will be ranked much higher than Burdi, who is coming off an amazing first year in the pros.

However Burdi doesn’t need to be ranked in the top 100 to prove his worth. Whether he starts or ends the year with the club, the White Sox farmhand should continue the prove he is one of the best relief pitching prospects in the minor leagues.

When the Robertson trade saga eventually reaches its climax, Burdi should be on the shortlist of names to become the team’s closer. Regardless of a trade, Burdi is the team’s closer of the future and could end up being one of the best relief pitchers in the major leagues.

Zack Burdi isn’t Lucas Giolito, or even Reynaldo Lopez, but he is proving his worth as a relief pitching prospect. There is a good chance that the former Louisville Cardinal becomes a household name by the end of the 2017 season.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

There Will Finally Be A Real Stan Mikita’s Donuts

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
-

This weekend the NHL will bring the fictional Stan Mikita’s Donuts to life for a pop-up restaurant during their all-star festivities. Stan Mikita’s All-Star Cafe presented by Honda will be the official name but the inspiration is from the classic movie Wayne’s World.

The effort will be brought together by Sports Illustrated and Entertainment Weekly to make use of the marriage of Hollywood and Hockey for the all-star weekend. No one is sure if there will be “sugar pucks” to eat but there will be round table discussions about hockey and Hollywood, player appearances and even screenings of Wayne’s World for the 25th anniversary.

Mike Myers said the inspiration for Stan Mikita’s was actually Tim Horton’s Donuts but since Wayne’s show was in Aurora he needed to connect it to Chicago. When Myers was a kid growing up Toronto he would choose to be the Blackhawks’ Mikita while playing street hockey. He felt that Stan looked like what a hockey player should look like and he always seemed to be clutch against the Leafs.

A whole generation of kids will remember his name from this movie but it is unfortunate that Stan Mikita will not be able to be there for health reasons. His family members will be there instead to share his stories.

In better news for Chicagoland residents, we can hope a similar pop-up will land in Aurora this summer. The city will be hosting a six month long celebration for the 25th anniversary of the movie.

 

The Cubs Just Made Spring Training A LOT Better For Fans

By
Aldo Soto
-
PHOTO: Chicago Tribune

Spring Training is a month away and although all those Cactus League games are meaningless, I can’t wait! The Chicago Cubs just won their first World Series championship since 1908 and I’m not sure about you, but I just want more baseball ASAP. I get the same feeling every year, but especially this one, considering the Cubs are poised to be great once again.

Earlier this week the Cubs announced something pretty cool for fans, who like me, can’t wait for the first Spring Training game down in Mesa. For the first time ever, all 38 games will be made available for fans and it’s free.

Via Cubs.com:

The schedule features 10 games televised by Cubs broadcast partners (six by CSN Chicago and four by WGN-TV), 10 on the 670 The Score Cubs Radio Network and 27 via internet radio broadcast on www.cubs.com. Fans will be able to access the Cubs Webcasts on Cubs.com and MLB.com for free by registering for a log-in account with the website.

The Cubs begin their Spring Training schedule with split-squad games on Feb. 25. WGN-TV will broadcast the game against the Oakland A’s that will be played at Sloan Park, home of the Cubs in Mesa.

Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies return to call all Cubs TV games. 670 The Score will air its first game the next day on Sunday, February 26 when the Cubs host the American League Champion Cleveland Indians. Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer return as the radio voices of the Chicago Cubs. CSN Chicago’s first game will occur on Wednesday, March 15, when the Cubs host the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kasper will again join Mick Gillispie, radio broadcaster for Chicago’s Double-A Tennessee affiliate, for most of the cubs.com internet radio broadcasts.

All games will begin at 1:05 p.m. local time in Arizona.

Here’s the full Cubs Spring Training schedule. Can’t wait! The regular-season opener is on April 2, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

These Odds The Chicago Bears Face By Passing On Top 5 QB Are Startling

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears

The last year the Chicago Bears drafted a quarterback in the first round? It was 2003. Last year they drafted a quarterback in the top five? It was 1982. Three of the four quarterbacks they’ve taken in the first round over that stretch of time led them to at least one playoff berth. Yet for some reason fans seem convinced that the team doesn’t need to go that route in 2017.

Based on what evidence exactly? The not-so-spotless track record this organization has signing free agents or making trades at that position? Put it this way. Since the start of the Super Bowl era, the Bears have made the playoffs 14 times. Of those 14, just four of them were led by quarterbacks who weren’t drafted by the team.

  • Jay Cutler – 2010
  • Jim Miller – 2001
  • Steve Walsh – 1994
  • Mike Phipps – 1979

Chicago has exactly one championship in its entire history with a quarterback they didn’t draft. That was Bill Wade in 1963. So what is making people think anything will change now if the Bears once again decide to forego drafting one. With the highest pick they’ve held in 45 years, no less? Maybe some sobering numbers might wake them up to reality.

Javier Baez Will Be Honored With Street Sign In Humboldt Park

By
Aldo Soto
-

A couple of years ago Javier Baez wasn’t sure of his future with the Chicago Cubs. He had ended his first MLB-stint, striking out 41.5% of the time and with Addison Russell waiting in the minors, Baez wasn’t guaranteed anything. Two years later, Baez is being honored with a street sign in Humboldt Park after playing an important role during the Cubs’ 2016 World Series run.

City Council approved the street sign, honoring the talented Cubs’ infielder, on Wednesday, officially named “Javier ‘Javy’ Baez Way, ” along the west side of West Luis Munoz Marin Drive. It will be near a replica of Wrigley Field known as Little Cubs Field.

Via DNAinfo Chicago:

Luis Munoz Marin was the first elected governor of Puerto Rico. The street named after him surrounds Humboldt Park’s namesake park in a neighborhood defined by large steel Puerto Rican flags.

Baez, 24, grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., but was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, in 1992.

Before his 24th birthday, Baez became the every-day starting second baseman for Joe Maddon in the playoffs and shined on the national stage, winning co-MVP in the NLCS. Baez’s popularity in Chicago increased month by month during the 2016 season as he quickly became a human highlight reel. That continued in the postseason and eventually ended in a World Series title with the Cubs.

Baez has come a long way since his MLB debut in 2014, but the great thing is as good as he is, the future gold glove winner still has room for improvement and he’s only 24-years-old.

Also, he’s a great guy. Check this out.

Javier Baez Visiting A Hospital Will Be The Best Thing You See Today

Back to the street sign, Baez can thank an 11-year-old for the honor.

The sign was first proposed by Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) in November. Maldonado said the idea came from his 11-year-old son, whose fall Little League baseball team was captivated by the Cubs’ postseason push.

Pretty cool. Now, time for some awesomeness to get you ready for the upcoming 2017 season.

Bulls Eyeing Iowa State Point Guard Monte Morris For 2017 NBA Draft

By
Matt Peck
-
bulls iowa state monte morris 2017 nba draft

The Chicago Bulls’ positioning in the 2017 NBA Draft is completely unpredictable right now. Just past the halfway point of the season, Fred Hoiberg’s crew holds the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference at 23-23. Making the playoffs is still a very real possibility. Missing out on the playoffs for a second straight season is just as likely. That’s how it is for a mediocre team in a weak conference. Even if the Bulls miss the playoffs, their record won’t be bad enough to have a decent shot at winning a high draft position in the lottery. Assuming the Bulls don’t plummet or surge to finish well above .500, they’re looking at another pick in the mid to late teens.

Then there’s the pick Sacramento owes Chicago. That first round pick, which was part of the Luol Deng trade, is protected inside the top 10. The Kings (17-27) are currently in position to finish with the 9th worst record in the league. Assuming they don’t turn things around in the second half of the season and the lottery unfolds with no major upsets, the Kings will keep that pick. That means unless the Bulls acquire another 2017 first round pick in a pre-deadline trade, they will have a tough time trading up to get a high lottery pick.

Point Guard Wanted

So why are we talking about this? Because the Bulls need a point guard, and the incoming draft class is loaded with talent at that position. Unfortunately, Gar Forman and John Paxson’s insistence to “remain competitive” this season killed any hope of getting a potential franchise-changer like UCLA’s Lonzo Ball or Washington’s Markelle Fultz. Those two, along with NC State’s Dennis Smith and Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox, are almost guaranteed to go in the top ten.

The Bulls might be fine with that. In a recent column, ESPN Insiders Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton shed light on another point guard option for Chicago in the 2017 draft class. He’s not projected as a top ten guy. Some even have him going outside the entire first round, so there’s a great chance he’ll be available if the Bulls are picking in the mid or late teens.

Oh, and one other thing. He’s a former pupil of “The Mayor”, aka ex-Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg.

[USE ARROWS TO CONTINUE READING]

Javier Baez Visiting A Hospital Will Be The Best Thing You See Today

By
Gus
-
PHOTO: Ciudad De Bayamon

Cubs super utility player Javier Baez made a quick stop to a local hospital in his home country of Puerto Rico yesterday morning. Baez has spent much of his off season in his native country and like the rest of the Cubs, is preparing to make the trip to Mesa, Arizona for Spring Training in less than a month.

Before Baez boards the plane to embark on the 2017 season, he visited a handful of patients in the oncology and intensive care unit at the San Jorge Hospital.

Just a warning:

Get a box of tissue ready.

(use the arrow to continue)

Chicago Bears’ Best 2017 QB Option Is Amazingly One Nobody Wants

By
Erik Lambert
-
bears draft target

The Chicago Bears need a quarterback. Fact. There is no debating this point. In truth they’ve needed a quarterback for seven-plus decades. To those saying they had one in Jim McMahon, he was good but he was also never reliable. A true franchise quarterback is somebody who carries the football team to victories. McMahon was often carried to victory by Walter Payton and a historic defense. Or to the hospital on a stretcher.

So the only quarterback this franchise has had who fits that description was Sid Luckman who retired in 1951. Since then it’s been one, continuous parade of sadness. This is the quagmire GM Ryan Pace has stepped into and now must try to fix. He’s patiently waited on making any significant moves at the position, trying to build up the rest of the roster.

He may be out of time now though. After watching Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley take turns coughing up winnable games it’s clear they need a different answer in 2017. There will be plenty of interesting options to consider. Yet the one that gives them the highest probability of success is somehow the most detested by almost every fan.

VIDEO: Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather In Punch-Out! Doesn’t Get Better

By
Erik Lambert
-

Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather is something fight fans have wanted to see for the past year. This ever since the two champions started throwing shade at each other across every form of media that they could easily whip the other. It really started when Mayweather made it known that he did not care for people saying that McGregor was the MMA equivalent to him. Something he vehemently criticized when TMZ brought it up.

He went on to say that it’s disrespectful and racist for people to embrace the Irish-born champion for his cocky, trash-talking ways while he’s often vilified for doing the exact same thing. This in turn led to McGregor firing back on Instagram. He in turn felt it was disrespectful of Mayweather to bring race into the issue when his own people have known oppression for centuries.

“Floyd Mayweather, don’t ever bring race into my success again. I am an Irishman. My people have been oppressed our entire existence. And still very much are. I understand the feeling of prejudice. It is a feeling that is deep in my blood. “In my family’s long history of warfare there was a time where just having the name ‘McGregor’ was punishable by death. Do not ever put me in a bracket like this again.”

Needless to say the animosity has only grown since then, with the two stating on a number of occasions they’d be more than willing to fight the other. Hypes has steadily continued to build. UFC owner Dana White attempted to push things forward recently by offering each of them $25 million to stage such an event. Mayweather laughed the number off. So it seems fans will have to wait and wonder if it ever happens.

Dabo Sweeney Has Officially Lost It, Compares Watson To Jordan

By
Matt Eastman
-
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium on October 15, 2011 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)

Just watch this and try not to laugh.

Dabo, we get it, you’re a big fan of Deshaun Watson and rightfully so, especially when you consider he was the leading factor which helped Sweeney secure a six-year $30 million contract last year; however, let’s at least tone it down a notch or two on the Watson train bro.

This comes after he suggested the Chicago Bears should trade up to No. 1 overall and draft Watson….because, you know, that wouldn’t set their franchise back another 10 years or anything.

1...3,1683,1693,170...3,201Page 3,169 of 3,201

Subscribe to our Newsletter

✶ An Unfiltered Voice For Chicago Sports Fans ✶

Chicago Sports News

About Us

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2026