WSC Birth Years: Charlie Leesman

Card #143 - Charlie Leesman

Born: March 10, 1987

Charlie was selected in the eleventh round of the 2008 draft by the Chicago White Sox. Taking a slow and steady route through the farm system, Leesman seemed to be on the fringe of being called up for a few years. His 2012 season with the AAA resulted in a 12-10 record with a 2.47 ERA and 103 strikeouts, but what appeared to be an easy callup for 2013 was hampered by an ACL injury Charlie suffered in the 2012 International League playoffs.

Leesman was designated for assignment in April 2013 and picked up on waivers by the Texas Rangers. The Rangers assigned him to the minors, but Charlie became a free agent when he refused the assignment. Leesman signed with the White Sox, nine days after they DFA'd him. Charlie made his MLB debut on August 9, 2013, against the Minnesota Twins in the second game of a double header. Leesman was mostly thrown out of the bullpen in losing situations, where he was expected to stop the bleeding. His 7.04 season ERA mostly came from a game against the Cleveland Indians where he gave up seven runs without a single out. Charlie may be in the mix for the 2014 bullpen if he can build on his taste of the majors.

WSC Birth Years: Avisail Garcia

Card #142 - Avisail Garcia

Born: June 12, 1991

Avisail started his career in the Detroit Tigers organization in 2011. In 2012, he became the Tigers' minor league player of the year and made his MLB debut with Detroit on August 31, 2012 against the White Sox replacing Brennan Boesch in right field before the eighth inning. Garcia made enough of an impression that he made the 2012 postseason roster for the Tigers, playing in every series.

On July 30, 2013, Avisail was involved in a three-team trade, where the White Sox sent Jake Peavy to the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers sent Garcia to Chicago. The Tigers also sent Brayan Villarreal to Boston and the Red Sox sent José Iglesias to the Tigers. All three clubs improved their rosters with the trade. Since landing with the Pale Hose, Avisail has thrived with the opportunity to play everyday in right field. Garcia looks to be one of the cornerstones of the next era of winning baseball of the South Side.