Another quality backstop to add to what’s becoming a long list
Jackson Appel
Catcher
6´0´´
200 pounds
Age: 23
First Appearance on the South Side Sox Top 100
2024 High Level Kannapolis (Low-A)
Age relative to high level +1.5 years
SSS rank among all catchers in the system 4
Overall 2024 MiLB stats 12 games ⚾️ 1 HR ⚾️ 6 RBI ⚾️ .269/.400/.390 ⚾️ 7 BB ⚾️ 7 K ⚾️ 4-of-22 (18.2%) CS ⚾️ 1.000 FLD%
The Sox drafted Jackson Appel in Round 6 (No. 169) of the 2024 MLB Draft. The catcher played four years at Pennsylvania State University and graduated from the prestigious Wharton School of Business. He then took an extra year of COVID-19 eligibility and served as the starting backstop for the 2024 College World Series runner-up, the Texas A&M Aggies. You may recognize the name of one of his teammates — Braden Montgomery — a 2024 first-rounder who the South Siders landed from Boston in the Garrett Crochet deal.
Chicago seems bound and determined to stock up on as many young catchers as they can after decades of homegrown drought at the position. Appel is impressive both at and behind the dish, and he has earned numerous accolades throughout his collegiate career, including All-Ivy League and All-SEC First Team nods. In 2024 with the Aggies, the switch-hitter demonstrated both pop and contact, slashing .331/.422/.534 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs. The 23-year-old also recorded a 26-game on-base streak and led the team with 26 multi-hit performances.
And hey, the defense isn’t shabby, either. With a .997 fielding percentage, Appel was one of the best defensive catchers in Division I last year.
that’s textbook from @jacksonappel1 (and we know a thing or two about those) #QuakeShow pic.twitter.com/XCORv31XEx
— Penn Baseball (@PennBaseball) April 2, 2023
Appel also got to show off his stuff for a dozen games with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers after the draft, and he didn’t disappoint. He hit .268/.400/.390, including one dinger and six RBIs. On the receiving end, he was equally impressive, earning a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage over 111 putouts.
Appel’s Baseball Cube player ratings
RBIs 61
Durability 72
Power 54
Hitting 82
XBH 50
Runs 73
Contact 95
Speed 42
Average 66.13
Appel will likely start 2025 back with Kanny. If he finds his groove with the bat early in the year, he could move up quickly to Winston-Salem and possibly even find himself in Birmingham in the second half.
2025 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects
100. Cole McConnell, CF
99. Drake Logan, LF
98. Marcelo Alcala, RF
97. Lyle Miller-Green, 1B
96. Jared Kelley, RHRP
95. Adrian Gil, 1B
94. Adam Hackenberg, C
93. Loidel Chapelli, 2B
92. Eddie Park, CF
91. Chase Plymell, RHRP
90. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, RHRP
89. Tristan Stivors, RHRP
88. Pierce George, RHRP
87. Wes Kath, 3B
86. Daniel González, LHRP
85. Mikey Kane, 1B
84. Shane Murphy, LHSP
83. Connor McCullough, RHSP
82. Braden Shewmake, SS (since designated for assignment and lost to Kansas City)
81. Caleb Freeman, RHRP
80. Michael Turner, C
79. Drew McDaniel, RHSP
78. Jurdrick Profar, SS
77. Reudis Diaz, RHSP
76. Phil Fox, RHRP
75. Terrell Tatum, CF
74. Calvin Harris, C
73. Jacob Burke, CF
72. Alec Makarewicz, 1B
71. Carson Jacobs, RHRP
70. Nick Altermatt, RHRP
69. Drew Dalquist, RHRP
68. Zach Franklin, RHRP
67. Fraser Ellard, LHRP
66. Gil Luna, LHRP
65. T.J. McCants, CF
64. Stiven Flores, C
63. Tanner McDougal, RHSP
62. Bryce Collins, RHRP
61. Tommy Vail, LHSP
60. Jackson Appel, C