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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox's need to pay cash for a backup outfielder Monday brings to light all of the issues that have continued to torment highly-regarded prospect Jared Mitchell.

The former first-round draft pick, whom the White Sox continue to hold in high regard, can't seem to catch a break and the White Sox's acquisition of Casper Wells from the Oakland Athletics on Monday only seems to highlight that.

The early-season injury to Dayan Viciedo, and the fact that the team started the season with only four outfielders, has brought the White Sox's major-league ready depth into focus. On the lower levels, the White Sox have some of the most impressive outfield talent around, but when it comes to players who can jump into the major leagues now, it isn't nearly as strong.

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CHICAGO -- Struggling outfielder Jared Mitchell was sent down to Double-A Birmingham after starting the season with a .132 batting average over his first 53 at-bats at Triple-A Charlotte.

After a 32-game stint in Triple-A last year, the White Sox hoped the former first-round draft pick could put together a productive season at the minor league’s highest level and move closer to making his major league debut. Instead he posted a .277 on-base percentage and a .170 slugging percentage in the early going.

Now, the 24-year-old Mitchell will return to Birmingham, where he had 10 home runs, 54 RBIs and an .808 OPS last season in 94 games and 334 at-bats.

In another move at Charlotte, Brent Morel was placed on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury. He last played Monday, striking out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Morel was batting .231 with a .764 OPS over his first 11 games played in Triple-A.

The two moves helped the Knights free up roster space for Blake Tekotte and Josh Bell, who were activated off the disabled list.

So far, spring training is working out just as Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Jared Mitchell had hoped.

The all-around athlete with the shockingly solid physique – he has washboard abs on his washboard abs – knew that making the major league roster was an extreme long shot, but he just hoped to get attention for his play on the field. Mission accomplished.

In the seven Cactus League games Mitchell has played, he has collected five hits in 13 at-bats for a .385 batting average. More importantly, his 1.275 OPS has shown impressive run-producing capabilities.

Granted, the sample size is small, but it’s not like he gets huge chunks of time to play in front of the major league coaching staff so every little bit helps.

Outside of an injury to somebody on the big league squad, though, Mitchell is still targeted for Triple-A Charlotte when the season begins.

“Whenever the organization feels I’m needed, I’m ready to go,” Mitchell said. “However I can help that team or any team, I want to win. That’s all that matters to me. At the end of the day, we all want to win. That’s what it’s all about.”

The former LSU wide receiver appears to have his baseball legs under him now. The White Sox knew when they drafted him with the 23rd overall selection in 2009 that his maturation as a baseball player would take some time.

His timetable was set back even further when he tore a tendon in his ankle during spring training in 2010 and missed the entire season.

After a modest rebound in 2011 at Single-A Winston-Salem, Mitchell showed last year at Double-A Birmingham that he was feeling good again. He stole 20 bases, put up a .440 slugging percentage and hit 10 home runs in 94 games as opposed to the nine he hit in 129 games at Single-A.

He ended the season with a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte, where he drove in 13 runs in 36 games.

“The thing on Jared from the time we drafted him, when he was part-time baseball player, part-time football player, was about repetition and at-bats,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “That was compounded by the fact the injury cost him a year so our plan from the start has always been get him out there playing in games. We needed to continue to do that as he comes back from injury. That hasn’t changed significantly at this point.

“I do not see, and stranger things have happened, but I don’t see us taking him come the end of spring. Instead he’ll be playing on an everyday basis at Charlotte pushing us to hopefully to bring him up based on his performance as the season goes on.”

At Charlotte, Mitchell will be in line to become the first in the wave of talented minor league outfielders to arrive on the South Side. Others include Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker, who are also in big league camp. A little further back there is Courtney Hawkins, the club’s first-round pick in 2012 that is already considered by Baseball America as the top prospect in the organization.

As the White Sox put together potential trade proposals this winter, everybody who was witness to Mitchell’s recent play insisted that he remain in the organization. The big goal with Mitchell now appears to be teaching him the ability to make adjustments.

The left-handed hitter has shown a knack for delivering in a new situation, but hasn’t shown the ability to deliver sustained success.

At Double-A last year, Mitchell batted .341 in April, but just .214 for the rest of his stay there. Then at Triple-A, he had 10 hits in his first 33 at-bats (.303) over his first nine games before cooling off. When the International League playoffs arrived, he ramped it up again to go 9-for-27 (.333) in seven postseason games.

This spring it appears to be more of the same with his hot start.

“It’s a work in progress every day.” Mitchell said. “It’s what I’m here for every day. I do whatever I can to help whatever team I’m on to win. It’s really what I focus on every day.”

Winning seems to be the most reoccurring theme for Mitchell, and why not? At LSU, he and teammate Chad Jones became the first two student-athletes to win a BCS national title (2007) and a College World Series title (2009). Mitchell was named most outstanding player of that 2009 College World Series.

But despite the success in college, he hasn’t taken for granted what it takes to win on the next level.

“I can’t say planned for it,” Mitchell said when asked if the process to becoming a major leaguer has taken longer than he expected. “Pro ball is something new to me, like it is to everyone that comes in here. There was no sort of timetable or plan however it goes. I just work every day to try to get better every day. Whatever happens, happens.”

The 24-year old could end up in Chicago by the end of the season, but first there is some work to do.

“Of course, that’s what every person that comes into minor league ball, their goal is to get to the top,’” he said. “It’s a goal definitely. There’s a process to it, I understand that.”

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If there is something the Chicago White Sox don't have a shortage of it is up-and-coming outfielders looking to get noticed.

Turns out there will be plenty of chances for those young players to show what they are capable of doing.

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Doug Padilla previews the White Sox by position in the days leading up to pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training on Tuesday.

Those loud footsteps you can hear are coming from a whole new generation of young outfielders ready to break through for the Chicago White Sox.

While the White Sox are set with an outfield of Dayan Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios in 2012, a number of talented options could give the club a whole new look as early as the 2014 season, although 2015 seems more realistic.

Jared Mitchell, the first-round pick from 2009 could be the first to break through, but it's Courtney Hawkins and Trayce Thompson who actually rank first and second, respectively in Baseball America's list of the club's top prospects. Then there is Keenyn Walker, the club's first overall selection in the 2011 draft. Hawkins, Thompson and Walker are all a few years away from getting to Chicago.

The White Sox's outfield in 2012 was solid, not spectacular, with plenty of room for improvement. Viciedo is expected to deliver more with the hope that De Aza knows what it takes to avoid inconsistencies now that he has his first full season under his belt.

LEFT FIELD: After originally moving to right field for the 2011 season, there is a good chance this year will mark Viciedo's last in the outfield. The White Sox will need to clear room for their emerging youngsters and Viciedo could wind up being the long-term replacement for Paul Konerko at first base. Konerko will be in the last year of his current contract. Viciedo was 36th in the American League in slugging percentage last season at .444, a number that is expected to improve. The departed A.J. Pierzynski posted a .501 slugging percentage so somebody will have to pick up the slack in that area.

CENTER FIELD: De Aza was solid in his first full season, making things click from the leadoff spot. Of players with at least 200 plate appearances at the top of the order, De Aza had the 12th-best on-base percentage at .349. And among that group, his 26 steals were sixth best. Most glaring, though, was his July swoon when he batted .242 with a .294 on-base percentage. His 80 runs scored from the leadoff spot don't sound terribly impressive, but only six other leadoff men had more. By replacing Alex Rios in center field, De Aza helped the White Sox defense make considerable improvement. De Aza is one of only two left-handed bats in the starting lineup, along with Adam Dunn.

RIGHT FIELD: Moving to a corner outfield spot seemed to simplify things on defense for Rios. Most notably, though, was the return of his offensive production. Rios not only delivered a .304 batting average, his .850 OPS was his best since his 2007 season as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. The key this season will be avoiding the Bad Rios-Good Rios cycle that has followed him in recent years. With another productive season at the plate this year, he can break the pattern.

IN THE MIX: Dewayne Wise and Jordan Danks are in line to be the fourth and fifth outfielders, respectively. The left-handed hitters will give manager Robin Ventura some lineup versatility when they give Viciedo or Rios a rest. Mitchell is expected to start the season at Triple-A Charlotte, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him in a White Sox uniform at some point in the second half.

CHICAGO -- That quality left-handed bat the Chicago White Sox are looking for figures to come from their own ranks.

The question becomes: How long does it take for him to emerge?

One of the pressing questions facing general manager Rick Hahn this weekend at SoxFest is that left-side compliment the club has yet to acquire to help balance the lineup.

While shooting down rumors that the White Sox are interested in acquiring Jason Kubel, Hahn said former first-round draft pick Jared Mitchell could emerge as that lefty hitter.

“After Buddy Bell returned from instructional league this year, he wouldn’t shut up about where Jared is and we can’t possibly consider moving this guy because he’s ready to bust loose,” Hahn told the crowd at SoxFest on Saturday morning. “Guys who have been working with him since he arrived here on campus are starting to get that excitement in their voice.”

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CHICAGO -- One of the Chicago White Sox’s new major league coaches had a message for all the high-level outfield prospects in the system: It’s your turn to get here now.

The White Sox not only named Daryl Boston the team’s new first-base coach, he will also coach the outfielders. Those duties were previously held by Harold Baines, who will now serve as the assistant hitting coach to Jeff Manto.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Chicago White Sox made 14 cuts to their roster on Monday, including former No. 1 draft pick Jared Mitchell and right-handed pitcher Nestor Molina, who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for closer Sergio Santos in the offseason.

The Sox roster is now at 37 (16 pitchers, four catchers, 11 infielders and six outfielders).

“It’s a tough part of the game,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You just talk to them and be honest with them.”

Pitchers Anthony Carter, Simon Castro, Deunte Heath, Pedro Hernandez, Charlie Leesman, Jhan Marinez and Donnie Veal and infielder Ozzie Martinez were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte; Molina and pitcher Jose Quintana were optioned to Double-A Birmingham; and catcher Michael Blanke, infielder Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Mitchell and outfielder Trayce Thompson were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Right-hander Jesse Crain is still sidelined with a right-side oblique strain. Crain tried throwing some light tosses at 100 feet on Monday morning, but did not seem that encouraged with the session. Ventura said that he will not be concerned unless Crain isn’t ready to pitch the last week of spring training.

The White Sox will enjoy their lone off-day of the spring on Tuesday. Right-hander Phil Humber will pitch at minor league camp in order to stay on pace for the regular season.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It’ll be Team Konerko vs. Team Dunn for this afternoon’s intrasquad game.

The Team Dunn starting lineup:

SS Brent Lillibridge

C A.J. Pierzynski

DH Adam Dunn

3B Brent Morel

LF Dayan Viciedo

1B Dan Johnson

CF Jordan Danks

2B Eduardo Escobar

Chris Sale will start for Team Dunn with Brian Omogrosso and Donnie Veal in the bullpen.

The Team Konerko starting lineup:

CF Alejandro De Aza

2B Gordon Beckham

RF Alex Rios

DH Paul Konerko

SS Alexei Ramirez

C Tyler Flowers

1B Jim Gallagher

3B Dallas McPherson

LF Jared Mitchell

Gavin Floyd will start for Team Konerko with Eric Stults and Jacob Petricka in the bullpen.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A few notes from Chicago White Sox camp on Sunday at Camelback Ranch:

• When asked if he wants to be an everyday outfielder, Kosuke Fukudome was vague, saying through his interpreter that “I’m going to take it step by step, game by game and just contribute all I can.”

Manager Robin Ventura said Fukudome does a lot of things well but, “I don’t know exactly how that fits in right now... You get different situations where somebody needs a day, or a tough righty you put him in there. Fundamentally, a really good player.”

• Time and again, Ventura has said that players are getting a clean slate to start the season. But how long of a leash he’ll give players who need to perform better than last season remains to be seen.

Players who are on the comeback trail from injury, like former 2009 first-round draft pick Jared Mitchell, are also receiving the benefit of the doubt.

Mitchell, who won a College World Series title and BCS title with LSU in 2007, missed the entire 2010 season with a torn ACL. He hit .222 with 183 strikeouts in 477 at bats at Class A-Kannapolis last season.

“He’s a great talent,” Ventura said. “For me, you look at what he’s had done in the past couple of years and injuries have really slowed him down. I’m looking forward to him being healthy and seeing what he can do. You just look at him as an athlete. You see a lot of potential.”

• When it comes to this season’s expectations for Adam Dunn, Gordon Beckham and Alex Rios, Ventura said he won’t put numbers on them.

“Again, that’s a tough one, to already put numbers on somebody,” he said. “Again for me their approach, you can just tell when guys are playing to potential and when they’re kind of getting down because sometimes that can swallow you up. We’ll kind of assess it as it goes along but, again, we’re looking for them to do obviously more than they did last year.”

• Ventura likes what he’s seen from Addison Reed, the organization’s top-ranked prospect according to Baseball America, and thinks he has all the qualities of a closer.

“He’s confident, a live arm and kind of a weird angle, too, so he has a lot of deceptiveness as well as everything else you’d like to have,” Ventura said. “But I just like his attitude, his confidence going out there and being able to do a couple of different things.”

In terms of when Reed will be ready to step in the closer role, Ventura said: “I don’t know if that’s going to happen right now.”

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox handed out 18 invites to major-league camp in spring training, including eight on minor-league contracts.

Right-hander Brian Bruney, who pitched with the White Sox last season for a short time was among those signed on minor-league contracts. Also included in that group is left-handers Leyson Septimo and Eric Stults, catchers Damaso Espino and Hector Gimenez, infielders Dallas McPherson and Ray Olmedo and outfielder Delwyn Young.

Among the players in the minor-league system that were invited to big-league camp, that list included: right-handers Brian Omogrosso and Jacob Petricka, catchers Michael Blanke and Josh Phegley, infielders Jim Gallagher and Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Jordan Danks, Jared Mitchell, Brandon Short and Trayce Thompson.

White Sox pitchers and catchers report to Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 23. The cub’s first full-squad workout, with position players, takes place Feb. 28.

With their first-round pick (23rd overall) in the 2009 amateur draft, the Chicago White Sox were looking for a high-ceiling hitter with lots of tools and projection, and they got their man in LSU outfielder Jared Mitchell, who also played wide receiver on the football team.

The most important thing that Mitchell, who turned 22 last week, needs in his development right now is simply at-bats and time on the field. He's at the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time after missing the entire 2010 season because of a tendon tear in his left ankle, an injury he suffered while making a catch in a spring training game on March 12.

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The Arizona Fall League, which begins its 2010 schedule on Tuesday, has typically been viewed as the starting point for future big-league stars much further down the road.

It’s turning out to feed players to the major leagues much sooner than that, though, and the White Sox are proof.

Take Brent Morel, for example. The third baseman made a name for himself last month as a September call-up and established himself as a favorite to be the White Sox’s starting third baseman on Opening Day in 2011. He led the Fall League last year with a .435 batting average.

For the most part, though, the AFL is still is used to prep guys who are still a few years away from setting foot in the major leagues. Morel wasn’t the only White Sox prospect to have success in last year’s Fall League. Jordan Danks led the league with 31 runs scored.

So who did the White Sox send to shine in Arizona this year as players for the Peoria Saguaros?

The pitchers include: right-hander Anthony Carter, left-hander Charles Leesman, right-hander Johnnie Lowe and right-hander Henry Mabee. All four of those pitchers will work under the White Sox’s Triple-A Charlotte pitching coach Richard Dotson.

The Saguaros also will be comprised of White Sox catching prospect Josh Phegley, infielder Eduardo Escobar and outfielder Jared Mitchell.

Carter is a Georgia native, who has progressed from a 26th-round pick in 2005. After starting his first four seasons in the White Sox organization, he was converted to a reliever in 2010 and had 22 saves and a 3.92 ERA with Double-A Birmingham.

Leesman, who was a non-roster invitee to spring training this year, is a Cincinnati, Ohio native who was picked in the 11th round in 2008. After going 9-4 with a 5.10 ERA at Single-A Winston Salem this year, he was promoted to Double-A Birmingham and went 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 starts.

Lowe is a resident of the San Diego area, who was a sixth-round pick in 2007. Tabbed as having the best fastball in the White Sox’s draft class that year, he posted a 3.96 ERA over 25 appearances (24 starts) at Double-A Birmingham. Despite that highly-regarded fastball he has never been much of a strikeout guy, registering 74 Ks in 120 1/3 innings this season.

Mabee is a Canada native who was a 19th-round pick in 2007. He has been used exclusively as a relief pitcher in his four seasons in the White Sox chain. This past season at Double-A Birmingham, he posted a 3.65 ERA in 49 appearances (86 1/3 innings).

Phegley is an Indiana native and Indiana University alum, who was a sandwich pick in 2009, taken as the 38th overall selection. Phegley also participated in the Arizona Instructional League, getting increased playing time later in the year because he missed time this summer reportedly with ITP Syndrome, a condition that causes a low platelet count.

Escobar is a native of Velezuela, who was signed as a free agent in 2006. The shortstop entered the 2010 season ranked by Baseball America as the best defensive infielder in the White Sox’s chain. He showed he could hit a little bit to, batting a combined .277 over two minor-league levels, although he did strike out 111 times in 570 at-bats.

Mitchell, the LSU product who was the team’s first-round pick in 2009 (23rd overall) is the most intriguing White Sox prospect in the AFL. Coming off ankle surgery when he was injured in spring training, Mitchell was recently working out in the Arizona Instructional League. He was touted by Baseball American as the club’s No. 1 prospect, its fastest baserunner, best athlete and best defensive outfielder before he was injured. He is being touted as the White Sox’s future lead-off hitter, possibly as early as 2012 once Juan Pierre is gone.

ANAHEIM, Calif. –- Outfielder Jared Mitchell, who tore a tendon in his left ankle during spring training, is currently working out in the Arizona Instructional League.

The first-round pick in June of 2009 is expected to resume playing in the Arizona Fall League.

BALTIMORE -- Jake Peavy continues to improve from surgery to attach a muscle that separated from the bone on the underside of his right shoulder.

Peavy, who underwent the surgery July 14 is resting comfortably, but needs to wait until the six-week mark after surgery to have his recovery properly evaluated. His plan was to be with the team every day after the first road trip of the first half, but has not been with the team during the current road trip.

Top prospect Jared Mitchell also continues to improve after surgery this spring to repair a tendon tear. He was injured while making a catch during spring training.The outfielder's recovery is taking place with Single-A Winston Salem, and he is progressing "very well," according to White Sox trainer Herm Schneider. Mitchell was preparing for his first full season in the organization before he was injured.

Mitchell, the club's first-round pick in 2009, has continued to work on baseball skills that include hitting, running, agility work and taking fly balls, all within a controlled environment. The team's target is still for him to return to action in the instructional league.