White Sox top prospect suffers concerning elbow injury

Adding to the list of injured players for the White Sox this season is their No.1 overall prospect, pitcher Jared Kelley.

The White Sox have been among the teams with some terrible injury luck in the majors this season. The injuries have traveled down to their farm system as the team’s No.1 overall prospect Jared Kelley suffered some elbow soreness in preparation for his next start.

Scott Merkin who covers the White Sox for MLB.com reported the team’s doctors are, “confident there were nothing than inflammation and per the White he is now asymptomatic and has begun throwing again in an attempt to build him back up then get him back into games.”

White Sox No.1 prospect Jared Kelley brings a lot of value when healthy

Any time you hear of any types of elbow issues from a pitcher it’s a bit alarming. The good news is Kelley working his way back to the mound while it seems like the White Sox were being extra cautious.

The 19-year-old was selected by Chicago in the second round out of Refugio High School in Texas during the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft. He’s currently a member of the team’s Single-A Kannapolis affiliate. In four minor-league starts, Kelley owns a 9.00 ERA, 2.375 WHIP, and a 13.5 K/9 over eight innings pitched.

It’s going to be a while before Kelley is deemed ready for the big leagues and there’s no reason for Chicago to rush his process. The White Sox starters hold the second-lowest ERA in the majors (2.95) this season and they’ve got two current Cy Young candidates in Carlos Rodon and Lance Lynn. Right-hander Lucas Giolito has the “worst” ERA currently sitting at 3.86.

While Kelley won’t see any time in the majors this year, he does bring value on the trade market. The White Sox will be buyers at the July 30 deadline, and showcasing their top overall prospect in the minors could go a long way in bringing in high-level players next month.