Jack Egbert

By some measures, 2008 was a terrible season: Egbert allowed more homers last year, 15, then he had in four pro seasons to date (10). He's another of the White Sox' many command guys, and as such, possesses little upside.

Egbert took a step forward in 2007, though the pitcher-friendly confines at Double-A Birmingham certainly didn't hurt. A 3.06 ERA and a 1.125 WHIP with more than a strikeout an inning certainly is encouraging. Scouts are concerned with how well his stuff will play in Peoria (or more accurately the fine cities of Detroit, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Kansas City). An extreme groundball pitcher who throws strikes, Egbert doesn't have the fastball or the breaking ball that gets too many people excited and he may be better suited for a relief role in the big leagues. He'll be in the thick of things in the battle for the last two spots in the White Sox rotation this spring, but is likely headed to Triple-A to start the season.