While the White Sox didn't add many players to their roster this September, the organization moved towards integrating their young offensive players with their veterans over the last few months. Chicago added OF-S Joe Borchard, C-R Miguel Olivo, RHP Jon Rauch, and RHP Todd Ritchie to their September roster and released pending free agent Royce Clayton. In mid-August they placed Tony Graffanino on the disabled list and recalled D'Angelo Jimenez, and as we previously discussed, Willie Harris and Joe Crede took the respective roster spots of the traded Ray Durham and Kenny Lofton.

Chicago drafted Borchard out of Stanford University with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2000 draft. The organization is bringing him along quickly, as after signing he split 2000 between the White Sox team in the Rookie Arizona League, A+ Winston-Salem in the Carolina League, and AA Birmingham in the Southern League. Last season Borchard returned to Birmingham, and this year the Sox promoted him to AAA Charlotte in the International League. At Charlotte, the 23-year-old hit .272 with a .349 OBP and .498 SLG on 119 H, 35 2B, 2 3B, and 20 HR with a 49:139 BB:K and 2/6 SB% in 438 AB. He has excellent power potential but needs to raise his walk rate to develop into a true star. Chicago can send him back to AAA for the first half of next season to work on his plate discipline, and if they insist on moving him away from centerfield, then recall him after they've traded Carlos Lee to open a starting position. He'll make a few more starts now and receive a handful of pinch-hitting opportunities.

Oakland signed Olivo as a nondrafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1996 and traded him to the White Sox for Chad Bradford in 2000. Despite an excellent performance in the 2001 Arizona Fall League, Olivo repeated AA, hitting .306 with a .381 OBP and .479 SLG on 110 H, 24 2B, 10 3B, and 6 HR with a 40:66 BB:K and 29/42 SB% in 359 AB. His offense looks great as he's displayed speed, power and even promising strike zone judgment. However, he reportedly still needs to work on his defensive skills, though he has a good arm and can throw out base sealers. As he didn't face AAA competition this season, the 24-year-old will need time there in 2003. Consequently, he shouldn't reach the majors permanently until next September. He'll mostly observe this month and serve as the Sox's third catcher while grabbing a couple pinch-hit at-bats.

Rauch wasn't ready for the majors after missing most of last season due to a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery. After a poor month in the majors, Chicago returned him to AAA where he compiled a 97:42 K:BB with 91 H and 14 HR allowed in 109.1 IP for a 4.28 ERA. While his homer and walk rates are above target levels, his dominance and H/9 are promising. He'll probably struggle to some extent when he resumes a regular starting role, but the 23-year-old's upside is considerable. So far, he's only pitched a few innings in relief this month, however he's scheduled to make at least one start before the end of the year.

Ritchie hit the DL with inflammation in his shoulder at the beginning of August and only rejoined the White Sox last week. Reportedly he was pitching through pain most of the season, which could partially explain his horrible year. Chicago should work out a contract with him this off-season, as he should rebound next season and they'll still need a veteran innings-eater. His poor performance in 2002 should work to the Sox's advantage in negotiations and/or arbitration. Ritchie's made a couple relief appearances since his return and also may make a start before the end of the year if Rauch struggles today.

Releasing Clayton was one of the smartest moves GM Kenny Williams has made all season, though he should have tried harder to trade Clayton. If Clayton had remained on the team, there probably would have been additional playing time conflicts over playing time.

Graffanino is out for the season after tearing his right ACL in late August. The injury requires surgery, though he should be ready to play before Spring Training. Even with their prospects, there's little reason for the White Sox not to retain Graffanino as a quality infield reserve in 2003.

Jimenez has produced exceptionally since joining the team, hitting .294 with a .400 OBP and .412 SLG on 25 H, 4 2B, and 3 3B with a 14:10 BB:K and 2/3 SB% in 85 AB. His past performance appeared to indicate that he produces at higher levels when in a stable role, and the last month confirms that assessment. If left alone at either middle infield position next season, he could expand upon these numbers over a full season. He's starting regularly this month, splitting his time between second and short since the White Sox don't know what direction they'll take next season regarding players like incumbent SS starter Jose Valentin.