In September of a lost season, a baseball team can at least take solace if the younger players they trot out every day show promise.  Rosters expand every September 1^st, and if a team is floundering and out of the race, they use September as an sneak preview for next season’s Spring Training, and try to get the most out of their top prospects.  The White Sox are no exception to this rule, as all month long, the team and the fans will get an extended look at three young players who figure to play prominent roles in 2012: catcher Tyler Flowers, outfielder Alejandro De Aza, and slugger Dayan Viciedo.

Let’s start with Flowers.  Acquired a few years ago as part of the Javier Vasquez trade that also included Brent Lillibridge, Flowers hasn’t really shown much until this year.  It may not be a coincidence that he has shown promise in a year that had him getting lots of playing time.  But really, his quality play this season is mostly due to his seasoning in the minors, which would have helped a few other prospects (looking at you, Gordon Beckham).  He did his time there, and when both Ramon Castro and starter A.J. Pierzynski got injured, Flowers became the primary catcher, and has excelled.

Most importantly, he’s excelled both at the plate and behind it.  He has masterfully handled the pitching staff, and though his average is down recently, he has been very solid at the plate, including some key hits for the Sox.  The ideal situation for 2012 is for Flowers to be the backup to A.J., hopefully playing a bit more than Castro does.  Then he will be ready to take over as the starter in 2013.  But for now, catcher looks like one area the Sox have under control.

Then we have De Aza, who has shown flashes of great play each time he is with the big club.  He was called up this year in late July and made an immediate impact.  De Aza has hit a number of key homeruns and extra base hits, and is most likely primed to take over in left field for Juan Pierre in 2012.  It would be nice if De Aza could make a nice transition into the leadoff spot, and I think he can, but it will take a good Spring Training.  Regardless, Pierre is gone due to his high salary, and De Aza is the perfect replacement.  He will bring speed, energy, small ball, and a quality bat to the 2012 Sox.

Lastly, we have Viciedo.  The jack of all trades in the field should have been called up in June, but the Sox’ insistence on waiting for Dunn and Rios to come out of their slumps kept Viciedo in the minors.  Since his call up, he has done what he is expected to do, and has provided power in the middle of the lineup.  He can play third, first, and left and right field, so it’s not exactly certain where he will find himself in 2012, but he will be on the team for sure.  It’s about time they unleashed him on the rest of the American League.

These three guys will provide a much needed spark for the Sox in 2012.  As we have seen around all of baseball, youth movements are effective, but since the Sox are in the middle of veteran/rookie mode, three is a pretty good number.  Along with Brent Morel – and Gordon Beckham if he ever lives up to his hype – the Sox have a solid group of younger position players to build around.  Along with Phil Humber and Zach Stewart, the Sox are going younger, and it will be for the better.