By Phil Rogers
Stefan Gartrell, a 25-year-old right fielder who hit 23 home runs last season in the high minors, is expected to be added to the White Sox's 40-man roster by Friday, which is the deadline to protect players from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.
Gartrell has gotten little attention during his pro career, but has been a consistent run producer. He figures to get at least a look with the Sox next spring after hitting .281 and driving in 89 runs between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte last season. He's a product of the 2006 draft, and college players from that draft can be selected by other organizations in a draft Dec. 10 if they aren't on the 40-man roster. Ditto high school players from the 2005 draft.
Along with Gartrell, the White Sox could lose center fielder John Shelby III and pitchers Brian Omogrosso, Matt Long and Justin Cassel if they aren't protected. The Cubs' protection questions center around reliever Blake Parker, who had 22 saves for Triple-A Iowa last season, and catcher Steve Clevenger, a converted shortstop who hit .290 in 94 games between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa.
In other minor-league news, the White Sox are in danger of losing 25-year-old right-handers Fernando Hernandez (20 saves, 1.68 ERA between Birmingham and Charlotte) and Ehren Wasserman, who exercised their six-year right to free agency. Among Cubs' minor-leaguers filing for free agency were utility men Bobby Scales and Nate Spears, outfiielders Doug Deeds and Brad Snyder and first baseman Matt Craig.
Stefan Gartrell, a 25-year-old right fielder who hit 23 home runs last season in the high minors, is expected to be added to the White Sox's 40-man roster by Friday, which is the deadline to protect players from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.
Gartrell has gotten little attention during his pro career, but has been a consistent run producer. He figures to get at least a look with the Sox next spring after hitting .281 and driving in 89 runs between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte last season. He's a product of the 2006 draft, and college players from that draft can be selected by other organizations in a draft Dec. 10 if they aren't on the 40-man roster. Ditto high school players from the 2005 draft.
Along with Gartrell, the White Sox could lose center fielder John Shelby III and pitchers Brian Omogrosso, Matt Long and Justin Cassel if they aren't protected. The Cubs' protection questions center around reliever Blake Parker, who had 22 saves for Triple-A Iowa last season, and catcher Steve Clevenger, a converted shortstop who hit .290 in 94 games between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa.
In other minor-league news, the White Sox are in danger of losing 25-year-old right-handers Fernando Hernandez (20 saves, 1.68 ERA between Birmingham and Charlotte) and Ehren Wasserman, who exercised their six-year right to free agency. Among Cubs' minor-leaguers filing for free agency were utility men Bobby Scales and Nate Spears, outfiielders Doug Deeds and Brad Snyder and first baseman Matt Craig.
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