Kris Honel

Kristopher Robert Honel

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 190 lb.
• High School Providence Catholic High School

• Born November 7, 1982 in Kankakee, IL USA

BR minors page

Biography

Pitcher Kris Honel was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 2001 amateur draft. He was signed by scouts Nathan Durst and Ken Stauffer and made his pro debut that summer. Honel spent nearly seven seasons with the White Sox organization, before leaving the organization in 2007. Once considered a top prospect (rated #11 in the organization in 2005 by Baseball America), injuries cost Honel large portions of the 2004 and 2006 seasons, and stalled his quick progression through the White Sox system. He possesses a knuckle-curve, a low 90's fastball, and a solid changeup.

Honel advanced at a steady rate early in his professional career, performing well at every level along the way. He made an easy adjustment from high school to the pros, winning 4 games and striking out 53 batters in 56 innings after being drafted in 2001.

The White Sox assigned Honel to Kannapolis in 2002. He made 26 starts with a 2.82 ERA for the Intimidators, winning 9 games while losing 8. Honel made one start with the advanced single-A club, Winston-Salem, striking out 8 and allowing just 1 run in 5 1/3 innings. He was named the 2002 South Atlantic League All-Star right-handed pitcher.

Honel won a total of 10 games in 2003, 9 with Winston-Salem and 1 with Birmingham. He pitched 133 innings for Winston-Salem, and posted a 3.11 ERA with 122 strikeouts. Honel struck out 13 and allowed 5 runs in 2 starts with Birmingham.

2004 turned into the first turbulent season of Honel's young career in the organization. Injuries to the right-hander's arm limited him to 4 games between Birmingham and rookie-level Bristol. He was able to return to Birmingham in 2005, and pitched 93 1/3 innings with 5.88 ERA.

Injuries kept Honel sidelined in 2006, and returned to Birmingham with mixed results in 2007. He appeared in 17 games for the Barons and walked 52 opponents in 60 2/3 innings. He owned a 2-2 record and a 5.79 ERA. Honel retired from the White Sox system in August of 2007, but hoped to sign with another organization. In early 2008 Honel signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, and was invited to spring training. He signed a 2 year deal with the red birds.