The Chicago White Sox didn’t waste any time making moves in the draft. After selecting Alan Benes with the 19th pick, they turned right around and shipped him off to the Orlando Sun Rays in exchange for Orlando’s 1995 first-round pick and a 1996 second-rounder.
Now, the question is—was this a smart move for Chicago, or did Orlando get the better deal?
Truth is, it’s too early to tell. But what we can do is take a look at Benes as a prospect and see what Orlando is getting.
Benes, a 22-year-old right-hander, comes equipped with a fastball, curveball, and cutter—with his fastball and curveball grading out as his best offerings. When he’s at his best, those two pitches should be his bread and butter, giving him a legitimate shot at carving out a rotation spot in the majors.
Stamina isn’t an issue—he’s got enough of it to be a workhorse starter. But his pitching ratings? That’s where the work still needs to be done.
- Stuff: Potential of 14, but currently sitting at 11
- Movement: Potential of 13, but right now only at 9
- Control: Potential of 10, and surprisingly already at 10
It’s clear Benes isn’t ready yet. The Sun Rays should start him in Triple-A, let him refine his stuff and movement, and not rush him to the majors. Throwing him into a big-league rotation too soon would be a mistake. If he develops as expected, he could be a solid mid-rotation arm down the road.
Who Won the Trade?
Orlando clearly values Benes and is willing to bet on his upside. Chicago, on the other hand, decided they’d rather have future assets than keep him in their system. Whether or not this was the right move depends on how those picks pan out. If the White Sox find themselves a star in 1995 or 1996, this could be a brilliant move. But if Benes reaches his potential, the Sun Rays could end up with a frontline starter for the price of two lottery tickets.
Time will tell—but for now, Orlando gets a high-upside arm, and Chicago gets to roll the dice on the future.