The Chicago White Sox have traded star SP Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Drew Thorpe (Padres #5 Prospect), OF Samuel Zavala (Padres #7 Prospect), RHP Jairo Iriarte (Padres #8 Prospect), and RP Steven Wilson. With Blake Snell unlikely to return to San Diego, GM A.J. Preller went out and got one of the best starters available. However, did the Padres overpay by sending 3 of their top-10 prospects to the South Side?
Padres Receive Major SP Help After Snell’s Possible Departure
Dylan Cease had a relatively poor season in 2023. The young right-hander had a 4.58 ERA, 3.72 FIP, and a HardHit% at 41.2%, a whopping 10% increase from last season. However, one thing that Cease is known for is his high strikeout numbers, which continued in 2023. Cease’s K/9 was at 10.88 in 2023, which hovered around his prior mark of 11.10 in 2022.
One of the main reasons why Dylan Cease declined from 2022 to 2023 is because his slider was less effective. The slider lost 1.5 inches of horizontal movement last season. Due to this, opposing hitters had a much easier time offensively against Cease’s slide piece. Hitters recorded a .339 OPS against Cease’s slider, a .130 point increase from the righty’s mark in 2022.
The inconsistent slider in 2023 resulted in Cease utilizing his knuckle-curve much more. However, the knuckle-curve also suffered a decline from 2022 to 2023, as its total movement decreased by 1.5 inches. Opposing hitters went from a measly .313 SLG% in 2022 against the pitch to a whopping .514 SLG%. If Cease can consistently locate with his secondary pitches and throw quality strikes, he should be able to succeed in San Diego.
White Sox Receive Ace-In-The-Making
Drew Thorpe’s time in San Diego ended really quickly. Thorpe was one of the key pieces that went to the Padres in the Juan Soto/Trent Grisham deal with the New York Yankees. Thorpe sits around 90-91 MPH with his four-seam fastball, but he also has a solid weapon with his changeup, specifically low-and-outside to left-handed hitters. This video on MLB.com demonstrates how impactful his CH is to Thorpe’s success.
Thorpe has always been a high-strikeout and high-ground ball type of pitcher. The right-hander had a 13.05 K/9 and 40.0% K% in 2023 with AA’s Somerset Patriots. In the ground ball category, the 23-year-old tallied a 52.5% GroundBall% with Somerset in 2023. If these numbers continue throughout the rest of his minor league career, Thorpe could be in the big leagues with the Chicago White Sox as early as 2024.
Highly-Touted Outfielder Prospect Heads to the South Side
Samuel Zavala is a solid outfield prospect that excelled in A during the 2023 minor league season. In 101 contests in A last year, Zavala tallied 89 walks to 121 strikeouts, hitting 14 home runs and an .871 OPS. In the same season, the 19-year-old had a substantial 48.5% FlyBall%, contributing to his 14 dingers in 2023. While the strikeout rates are relatively high, the increased walk rates balance it out, resulting in Zavala’s .420 OBP in A ball. Samuel Zavala is anticipated to be an exciting outfield prospect for the White Sox, and perhaps him and Luis Robert can share the OF in the future for Chicago.
A Stud Starter Climbing the Minor Leagues
Jairo Iriarte was the final prospect included in the Dylan Cease deal, who could be a key part of Chicago’s starting rotation in the future along with Drew Thorpe. Iriarte’s fastball sits around 95-97 MPH. The young righty has two plus pitches in the fastball and slider. With two strikes, the four-seamer is utilized high-and-away to lefties while the slider is used low and outside to right-handers. While Iriarte registered an elite 15.65 K/9 in 2023 AA, his BB/9 was a little bit of an issue at 5.22. However, the young righty is still developing and should get those troubles sorted out as his MiLB career continues.
Steven Wilson: Major Part of 2024 Sox B-Pen?
Steven Wilson is the lone MLB-experienced player heading over to the South Side in this blockbuster deal. Wilson, a 3rd-year reliever, has had some troubles in his MLB career. The 29-year-old has increased FlyBall% and HR/9 marks throughout his career. His strikeout numbers haven’t been consistent enough for Wilson to be a quality reliever. Steven Wilson will likely have little impact on Chicago’s plans heading into the near future.
Cease To The Yanks: Almost a Possibility?
There were heavy rumours regarding Dylan Cease heading to the New York Yankees, but it was alleged that Chicago’s front office wanted highly-touted prospect Spencer Jones included in the deal. With Gerrit Cole seemingly out for multiple months, Cease to the Yankees seemed like a natural fit. However, the Yankees were unwilling to pay the steep price, so A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres were able to claim the 28-year-old for 3 talented prospects.
Note: All prospect rankings are via MLB.com