Dash alumnus Engel earns call to Majors

White Sox promote 2015 CL Year-End All-Star on Saturday

Adam Engel was a key cog for the Dash when they made the playoffs in 2015. (Jody Stewart/Winston-Salem Dash)

May 27, 2017

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 27, 2017) - Outfielder Adam Engel, who spent parts of three seasons with the Winston-Salem Dash, has earned his first promotion to the Major Leagues, the Chicago White Sox announced on Saturday. Engel becomes the 350th Winston-Salem alumnus to reach the Majors, with 42 of them playing for the

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 27, 2017) - Outfielder Adam Engel, who spent parts of three seasons with the Winston-Salem Dash, has earned his first promotion to the Major Leagues, the Chicago White Sox announced on Saturday. Engel becomes the 350th Winston-Salem alumnus to reach the Majors, with 42 of them playing for the franchise during the Dash era (2009-present).
After playing just 21 games for Winston-Salem in 2014, the Cincinnati, Ohio, native dazzled for the Dash in 2015. A 19th-round pick out of the University of Louisville in 2013, Engel earned a Carolina League Year-End All-Star nod by swiping a league-high 65 bases and posting a .251/.335/.369 slash line with seven homers and 43 RBIs. Batting in the leadoff spot for most of the season, the speedster was a key cog on the club as the Dash reached the postseason by going 45-23 in the second half.

Later that year, Engel garnered another impressive distinction. Playing with the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League, the outfielder earned the Joe Black Most Valuable Player Award thanks to a circuit-best .403 average in 19 games.
Full list of Dash alumni in the Majors
The former Cardinal began the following season with Double-A Birmingham, but was sent back to Winston-Salem after a slow start. Engel proceeded to mash with the Dash, boasting an impressive .327/.413/.473 line in 14 games. The 25-year-old was promptly sent back up to the Barons, where he ultimately swiped 31 bases and posted a .764 OPS.
Engel ended the 2016 campaign with Triple-A Charlotte, playing in 41 contests with the Knights.
This season, Engel entered the year ranked by MLB.com as the 12th-best prospect in the White Sox system. Prior to his call-up to Chicago, he was batting .221 with eight home runs and a .463 slugging percentage with Charlotte.
Engel is the second Winston-Salem alumnus to don a big league uniform for the first time in 2017. Outfielder Jacob May cracked Chicago's Opening Day roster to begin the season.
The Dash continue their four-game series against the Down East Wood Ducks on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark. The promotions during this eight-game stretch include a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday and Family Sunday, a Dillon Brothers Appearance/Bobblehead Giveaway and much more. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.