The talented starting pitcher took a step forward last season
Juan Carela
Right-Handed Starting Pitcher
6´3´´
186 pounds
Age: 23
2024 South Side Sox Top Prospect Ranking 34
2024 High Level Birmingham (AA)
Age relative to high level -2.5 years
Overall 2024 stats 7-7 ⚾️ 23 games (23 starts) ⚾️ 106 2⁄3 IP ⚾️ 3.71 ERA ⚾️ 1.238 WHIP ⚾️ 114 K ⚾️ 45 BB ⚾️ 1.5 Simple WAR
Starting pitcher Juan Carela had a strong season to boost himself to No. 31 in our rankings. The White Sox acquired Carela from the Yankees at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for Keynan Middleton.
Carela was a stable part of the Winston-Salem Dash rotation, posting a 3.77 ERA and a 4.03 FIP in 16 starts at that level. On August 6, Carela was promoted to Double-A Birmingham, where he remained for the rest of the season. Carela’s results with the Barons were similar, as he posted a 3.58 ERA and a 4.35 FIP in seven starts.
Among several reasons why the righty has a bright future in the organization was the decision by the White Sox last fall to elevate Carela to the 40-player roster. The White Sox being afraid some of their talent will be plucked away in a Rule-5 draft? Practically unheard of.
Carela’s Baseball Cube player ratings
Durability 80
Strikeouts 62
Hittable 61
vs. Power 61
SO/BB 54
Walks 48
Average 61.00
Carela is a well-rounded pitcher, with a fastball in the mid-90s to go with a slider, changeup, and a curveball that have been effective against Double-A hitters. Carela’s 25.2% strikeout rate was impressive, and although the 9.9% walk rate was a bit high, Carela did a great job of pitching out of trouble.
Carela is entering his age-23 season with a strong track record. He has already posted decent numbers as a 22-year-old in Double-A, so he has quite a bit of potential to flummox batters in Triple-A and possibly even the South Side. Because Carela took such a strong step forward during the 2024 season, his primary address this summer will be Triple-A Charlotte.
2025 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects
31. Juan Carela, RHSP
32. Javier Mogollón, SS
33. Nick McLain, RF
34. Ronny Hernandez, C
35. Casey Saucke, RF
36. Eric Adler, RHRP
37. Rikuu Nishida, 2B
38. Shane Smith, RHSP
39. Tim Elko, 1B
40. Zach DeLoach, LF
41. Riley Gowens, RHSP
42. Prelander Berroa, RHRP
43. Sam Antonacci, 2B
44. Adisyn Coffey, RHRP
45. Jarold Rosado, RHRP
46. Ryan Galanie, 1B
47. Trey McGough, LHRP
48. Ricardo Brizuela, RHSP
49. Lucas Gordon, LHSP
50. Aaron Combs, RHRP (traded to Phillies on January 1)
51. DJ Gladney, RF
52. Abraham Núñez, CF
53. Andre Lipcius, 1B
54. Shawn Goosenberg, 1B
55. Caden Connor, 1B
56. Mario Camilletti, 2B
57. Jake Peppers, RHSP
58. Ryan Burrowes, SS
59. Garrett Schoenle, LHRP
60. Jackson Appel, C
61. Tommy Vail, LHSP
62. Bryce Collins, RHRP
63. Tanner McDougal, RHSP
64. Stiven Flores, C
65. T.J. McCants, CF
66. Gil Luna, LHRP
67. Fraser Ellard, LHRP
68. Zach Franklin, RHRP
69. Drew Dalquist, RHRP
70. Nick Altermatt, RHRP
71. Carson Jacobs, RHRP
72. Alec Makarewicz, 1B
73. Jacob Burke, CF
74. Calvin Harris, C
75. Terrell Tatum, CF
76. Phil Fox, RHRP
77. Reudis Diaz, RHSP
78. Jurdrick Profar, SS
79. Drew McDaniel, RHSP
80. Michael Turner, C
81. Caleb Freeman, RHRP
82. Braden Shewmake, SS (designated for assignment on January 1, claimed by Royals)
83. Connor McCullough, RHSP
84. Shane Murphy, LHSP
85. Mikey Kane, 1B
86. Daniel González, LHRP
87. Wes Kath, 3B
88. Pierce George, RHRP
89. Tristan Stivors, RHRP
90. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, RHRP
91. Chase Plymell, RHRP
92. Eddie Park, CF
93. Loidel Chapelli, 2B
94. Adam Hackenberg, C
95. Adrian Gil, 1B
96. Jared Kelley, RHRP
97. Lyle Miller-Green, 1B
98. Marcelo Alcala, RF
99. Drake Logan, LF
100. Cole McConnell, CF