Hackenberg catching on with White Sox prospects in AFL

Several Arizona Fall League players come from baseball families, including Rangers shortstop Luisangel Acuña, Athletics outfielder Denzel Clarke, Astros catcher J.C. Correa, Guardians shortstop Angel Martinez, Reds shortstop Matt McLain, Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows and Marlins outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. In terms of diverse athletic genes, White Sox catcher Adam Hackenberg may top them all.

Hackenberg's older brothers were both high picks in other sports. The New York Jets selected Christian, a quarterback, in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and the Orlando City Lions took Brandon, a defender, in the first round of the 2021 MLS Draft. The youngest Hackenberg brother, Drue, was Virginia Tech's top pitcher as a freshman last spring.

The No. 29 White Sox prospect said growing up and competing against his talented brothers helped him adapt to playing with a bunch of new teammates on the AFL's Glendale Desert Dogs.

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"Lot of broken doors, broken video-game controllers," Hackenberg said with a smile when describing his sibling rivalry. "Our front porch looked like Play It Again Sports. There was just bats, cleats, everything out there. Even when we weren't playing on our own teams, when we were at the house we were playing pickup football, pickup basketball, stickball, whatever it was.

"I think it gives me an advantage as far as coming into new environments. When you come in with a bunch of new guys, there's that competitive edge you have to have to settle in and get comfortable. I think that definitely helps. … God bless my parents."

Because of injuries and the pandemic, Hackenberg played in just 71 games in three seasons at Clemson before Chicago drafted him in the 18th round in 2021. He quickly has established himself as one of the best defensive catchers in the White Sox system. He has good athleticism for a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder and the potential to be at least a solid receiver with arm strength to match.

The right-handed hitter has solid raw power and manages the strike zone well but needs to improve his quality of contact. In his first full pro season, Hackenberg batted .223/.317/.332 with eight homers in 91 games, mostly in High-A before a promotion to Double-A for the final month.

Though he already has caught more games this year than in three college seasons, Hackenberg says he has held up well physically. He's enthused about he opportunity to work with quality pitchers while trying to tap into more power in Fall League.

"I never really ran into any bumps or bruises outside of a couple of foul balls off of wherever," said Hackenberg, who went 2-for-11 with four RBIs in his first three games with the Desert Dogs. "I knew going in I was going to catch a lot just from feedback from the organization, so I really prepared myself last offseason just to be able to catch a lot during the season. I'm excited about this next month. I feel great, body feels great and it's a special opportunity."

White Sox hitters in the AFL

Moises Castillo, SS/2B: After the White Sox snagged him from the Cardinals in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft last December, Castillo hit .254/.353/.320 in 110 games between Single-A and Double-A. He gets the job done at shortstop and stands out with his constant energy.

Terrell Tatum, OF: A 16th-rounder from North Carolina State in 2021, Tatum has a good eye at the plate, at least solid raw power, plus speed and a chance to stick in center field. He batted .267/.405/.415 with 13 extra-base hits and 16 steals in 42 games between Single-A and High-A, though he missed 50 games with a suspension after testing positive for amphetamine use.

White Sox pitchers in the AFL

Declan Cronin, RHP: Cronin doesn't miss a lot of bats but generates plenty of ground-ball contact with his sinker/slider combination. A 36th-round pick from Holy Cross in 2019, he compiled a 3.71 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 51 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.

Sammy Peralta, LHP: Drafted in the 18th round out of NCAA Division II Tampa (Fla.) in 2019, Peralta is a low-slot reliever with a low-90s fastball and a solid low-80s changeup with sink and deception. He posted a 3.77 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 62 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.

Lane Ramsey, RHP: A 23rd-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2018, Ramsey logged a 6.39 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings over three levels, dealing with elbow issues and spending most of his time in Triple-A. His best attributes are his size (6-foot-9, 245 pounds), mid-90s fastball and mid-80s slider.

Chase Solesky, RHP: The lone starting pitcher in Chicago's AFL contingent, Solesky mixes four pitches and possesses a low-90s fastball. Selected in the 21st round out of Tulane in 2019, he had a 4.10 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 116 1/3 innings, mostly at High-A.