The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Ep. 62: MLB.com’s Jim Callis believes White Sox will pounce on best draft class in years

It's a fight to the finish between the White Sox, Phillies and Giants for the top pick in next year's MLB draft. But with the talent in the draft expected to be some of the best in years, how much will it really matter if the White Sox draft first, second or third? Chuck Garfien and Chris Kamka speak with Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com. He says the 2018 draft will be the best since 2011.
Will the White Sox go with a high schooler or a college player? Does Seth Beer fit into their plans? He breaks down the top names and predicts who he thinks the White Sox will draft with their number-one pick. Callis also analyzes key players in the White Sox farm system: Kopech, Jimenez, Burger, Rutherford, Adolfo, Dunning and many more. Then later, Garfien and Kamka talk about what Jose Abreu has meant to the White Sox both on the field and off of it. Kamka shares some incredible statistical data that puts Abreu in a class by himself.

Ep. 61: Lucas Giolito on being a different pitcher; Jason Benetti on the White Sox and his broadcasting career

We've got 2 special guests on this edition of the podcast. Lucas Giolito sits down with Chuck Garfien to talk about his first 3 starts with the White Sox, what it was like facing Miguel Cabrera(he went 0-3 vs. Giolito), how he got 10 strikeouts against the Rays and why he's a different pitcher now vs. last year with the Nationals. He tells the story about getting a beer shower from his White Sox teammates after collecting his first major league win, how he blew out his arm in high school and needed Tommy John surgery, plus the crazy coincidences between himself and Atlanta Braves rookie pitcher Max Fried and explains why Michael Kopech "will be here very soon." Then, it's a conversation with White Sox play by play man Jason Benetti. They talk about Giolito, Eloy Jimenez and the chemistry inside the White Sox clubhouse despite their last place record.
Benetti gives behind the scenes info about how he prepares for calling White Sox games, where he gets his old school references, and why he didn't make a radio documentary at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Garfien did and he's not happy about this. There's also a cameo appearance by somebody in the booth. All this and more on the White Sox Talk Podcast!

Ep. 60: Did the White Sox ’fleece’ the Cubs in the José Quintana trade or is #CubsTwitter overreacting?

It's been six weeks since the White Sox and Cubs made the José Quintana trade, and early returns are unanimous: Cubs fans are freaking out. They feel like the Cubs gave up too much in Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease and 2 more prospects. This became apparent after Quintana gave up 6 runs to the last place Phillies last Friday. On the podcast, Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Rob Wiatrowski bring on resident Cubs expert David Kaplan who in a spirited conversation says that the White Sox received a Mercedes-type return for Quintana who he believes is only a Buick.
Later in the podcast, Chris Kamka comes on to talk about Quintana, Lucas Giolito getting his first major league victory, Alec Hansen's Double-A debut and more.

Ep. 59: Carlos Rodon on being new and improved, Dan Hayes with his farm system findings

Carlos Rodon comes on the podcast with Chuck Garfien to talk about his past, present and White Sox future. He discusses his bicep injury which forced him to miss the first 3 months of the season and might end up being a blessing in disguise for his career. He talks about the pitch he threw that caused the Cubs Kris Bryant to be ejected earlier this season, why he wants to be a top tier pitcher like Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw, if it would have been better for him to play more in the minor leagues before being called up to the majors, why the White Sox rebuild is headed in the right direction and more. Then Dan Hayes from CSN-Chicago joins the podcast to talk about his trip through the White Sox farm system. They discuss the surprise Michael Kopech promotion to Triple-A, joining the Nicky Delmonico Fan Club, how Casey Gillaspie is nothing like his brother Conor, why White Sox fans should look out for Jake Peter who is tearing it up for the Charlotte Knights and more.

Ep. 58: Jeff Passan explains why White Sox have the best farm system in baseball

After speaking with 24 people in baseball (GMs, farm directors and scouts), Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports made a conclusion: the White Sox have the best farm system in baseball. On the podcast, Chuck Garfien speaks with Passan about his specific findings and how the next few years might play out for the franchise. How many of the White Sox prospects have to be a success for the rebuild to work? Will Michael Kopech or Alec Hansen have the better major league career? Will the Cubs one day regret trading Eloy Jimenez? Will the White Sox be willing to spend big money to land a player like Manny Machado? Who will be the White Sox closer in 2019? Who might the White Sox draft in 2018? The answers to these questions and many others on this edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast.

Ep. 57: Eloy Jimenez and Zack Collins one step closer to the majors

Eloy Jimenez and Zack Collins are two of the White Sox top prospects, so it was a big deal when the news broke that they're both being promoted to Double-A Birmingham. On this edition of the podcast, Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey call up CSN's Dan Hayes who's on the road covering the White Sox farm system this week. He was with Jimenez and Collins the day before in what turned out to be their last game for Winston-Salem. Hayes explains the overwhelming impact Jimenez has made, not just with the White Sox but the entire Carolina League this season. They discuss the path Collins will likely take to the majors, the underrated ability of Casey Gillaspie who the White Sox acquired in the Dan Jennings trade and more. Then they cover White Sox news: Rick Hahn trading Tyler Clippard while he was watching Game of Thrones, the incredible MLB start for Nicky Delmonico, the recent run of starts by Carlos Rodon and more.

Ep. 56: Alec Hansen wants to be future White Sox ace and why you shouldn’t piss off Dane Dunning

Two of the top pitchers in the White Sox farm system come on the podcast for the first time.
Winston-Salem teammates Dane Dunning and Alec Hansen speak with Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey about the White Sox rebuild and how they have both been dominating the competition. Dunning admits he hates to lose and talks candidly about his competitive nature, specifically the time he gave up a home run this season and threw at the same hitter in his next at-bat and was ejected from the game.
Hansen talks about his recent hot streak: 24 K, 1 ER in his last 2 starts and reveals that he sees himself being at the top of the White Sox rotation in the future. Dunning and Hansen speak at length about their teammate and budding superstar Eloy Jimenez.
Later, CSN's Chris Kamka joins the podcast to give his 2020 White Sox lineup. He sees the White Sox signing a certain free agent in 2019 named Machado but with a position change. He also predicts a big trade. That and more on this edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast.

Ep. 55: Reynaldo Lopez getting called up to the White Sox; Avi Garcia part of White Sox future?

White Sox fans waited and waited and waited some more for the White Sox to call up pitcher Reynaldo Lopez from Triple-A. Now it's finally happening. He'll start against the Royals on Friday. Chuck Garfien and Dan Hayes discuss the decision to bring up Lopez and send Mike Pelfrey to the bullpen. They talk about the impact Eloy Jimenez has made since being acquired from the Cubs. Could he be promoted to AA in the near future? Plus, will Avisail Garcia be a part of the White Sox future. Rick Hahn explained the Garcia predicament. Garfien and Hayes discuss that and more in this edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast.

Ep. 54: What will the White Sox look like in 2018, 2019 and 2020?

Now that phase one of the White Sox rebuild has been completed (trading away their top talent, producing arguably the best farm system in baseball), what can White Sox fans expect to happen in 2018, 2019 and 2020?
Chuck Garfien, Dan Hayes and Ryan McGuffey provide a road map for the next 3 seasons. Which minor leaguers will be ready for the majors and when? What free agents will the White Sox go after in 2018, 2019 and 2020? They take a year-by-year look ahead into the future.

Ep. 53: Hawk rips Lackey, Swarzak traded, Coop misses Q

After a wild day at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, Chuck Garfien and Dan Hayes discuss John Lackey hitting 4 White Sox batters and also play Hawk Harrelson's epic on-air rant directed at the Cubs pitcher. "Jeff the Sox Fan" appears on the podcast and suggests what he thinks Jose Abreu should have done to Lackey when he was hit for a second time. While they taped the podcast, Anthony Swarzak was traded to the Brewers. What kind of return did the White Sox get? Garfien also interviews White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper about losing Quintana to the Cubs, why he can't watch Quintana and Chris Sale pitch in different uniform, when some minor leaguers like Reynaldo Lopez will be called up and more.