White Sox: Carlos Rodon might be in bullpen in 2015 by Stephen Forsha

Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Michael Ynoa (66) throws during a workout at Papago Park. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Since the Chicago White Sox traded for right-handed starter Jeff Samardzija Monday evening into Tuesday morning he’s been the talk of the baseball world, or at least in the Chicago baseball world.

But there was another player the White Sox received in the trade in RHP Michael Ynoa, who could be a diamond in the rough for the White Sox in the coming years.

Ynoa is only 23 years old and he was added into the trade for the White Sox, with the Oakland Athletics receiving Chris Bassitt (RHP), Josh Phegley (C ), Rangel Ravelo (1B) and Marcus Semien (SS).

Your browser does not support iframes.

In the official release by the White Sox it says of Ynoa:

“Ynoa spent the entire 2014 season with Class A Stockton, going 4-2 with a 5.52 ERA (28 ER/45.2 IP) and 64 strikeouts over 31 relief appearances. He limited left-handers to a .191 average (13-68) with 36 strikeouts and posted a 12.61 strikeout per 9.0 IP mark overall. He entered 2014 ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 Prospect in the Oakland system.”

In 2012, MLB.com has this about the former A’s, now White Sox prospect, who at the time was still recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2010:

“Ynoa, who has been on the 60-day disabled list three times in his young career, had Tommy John surgery almost two years ago and has experienced the normal ups and downs that come with the procedure. He threw bullpen sessions last winter.”

In 2009 Baseball America said Ynoa had the best curveball in the A’s system.

Ynoa will be worth keeping track of this coming season to see what he does in the minors, and we’ll see how much he progresses and if he can one day reach the MLB roster of the White Sox.