The No. 2 closer in the system still sees his fortunes pointing up
Eric Adler
Right-Handed Relief Pitcher
6´2´´
190 pounds
Age: 24
2023 South Side Sox Top Prospect Ranking 41
2024 South Side Sox Top Prospect Ranking 33
2024 High Level Birmingham (AA)
Age relative to high level -1.5 years
SSS rank among all right-handed relievers in the system 2
Overall 2024 MiLB stats 3-2 ⚾️ 13 SV ⚾️ 40 games (31 finishes) ⚾️ 40 IP ⚾️ 3.15 ERA ⚾️ 1.175 WHIP ⚾️ 52 K ⚾️ 24 BB
At No. 191 in the 2022 MLB draft, the White Sox selected RHRP Eric Adler out of Wake Forest.
The righthander from a football family came to the Sox in with some built-in Chicago toughness, and was rated as prospect No. 242 on the MLB 2022 Prospect Ranks.
Adler packs a great, if not overwhelming, fastball. His high spin rates also suggest absolutely stellar stuff. Unfortunately, mechanical issues in Adler’s delivery led to him struggling over his college career to throw strikes consistently.
Perhaps in part to break any nasty habits, the White Sox didn’t waste any time running him into the system after the draft, as Adler saw six games total, four in Kannapolis. There’s nothing to make of those numbers, but certainly foretold that the organization sees a potential fast mover in the righty.
Adler’s first full professional season in 2023 did little to dispel that, with the season fairly split between Low- and High-A but far more defined closer role after his promotion to Winston-Salem. There, Adler peripherals suffered a touch (more traffic) but his ERA dipped almost half a run, to 2.70.
In 2024, Adler continued his ascendance, spending almost all of his time at Double-A Birmingham and amassing eight of his 13 season saves while there. The competition overwhelmed a bit, as all of Adler’s numbers suffered with the challenge of more experienced (1.5 years older) batters, but the righty established himself as the closer on the rise in the system.
After the regular season, the White Sox sent Adler to the Arizona Fall League for some additional exposure, an assignment cut short by the reliever heading over to Japan with Team USA to finish the year.
Adler’s Baseball Cube player ratings
Strikeouts 91 (-2 from last season)
vs. Power 91 (+2)
Hittable 91 (+2)
Durability 76 (+1)
K/BB 42 (+3)
Walks 20 (+4)
Average 68.50 (+1.67)
When Adisyn Coffey was promoted to Charlotte, Adler moved up to replace him as Barons closer. Adler is pretty clearly the No. 2 closer in the organization, and given that the major league club has no one to finish games, Adler’s movement to Charlotte (again, precipitated by a Coffey call-up to Chicago) could come sooner than later. With a good enough camp, Adler could even start the season a Knight.
2025 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects
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