Prospect Fry has second Tommy John surgery

CHICAGO -- Jace Fry, the White Sox third-round pick from the 2014 Draft, underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Thursday in Chicago to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament. It was the second career Tommy John surgery for the No. 14 ranked prospect in the organization per MLB.com.

• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players

"It's unfortunate for the kid," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn of the left-handed starter. "You feel for him given that he's already worked his way back from this once.

"He was certainly climbing through our organization and was a guy who conceivably could have contributed at some point toward the end of this year or early next year. Obviously that time frame is out the window now."

Video: CWS@CLE: Fry induces a popup to lock down the save

Fry, 21, had his previous Tommy John surgery in 2012 when he was playing for Oregon St. He produced a 1-8 record with a 3.63 ERA for Class A Advanced Winston-Salem this season, striking out 39 over 52 innings pitched and 10 starts.

There also was a three-inning Cactus League relief stint during Spring Training from Fry that impressed the organization and scouts alike at the time. Fry pitched in relief for Rookie level Great Falls after he was drafted last year and probably will be back pitching out of the bullpen when he begins another comeback from this surgery in 12 to 18 months.

"But he's still a guy who has upside," Hahn said. "He's still a guy who has proven that he's able to come back and perform at a high level from this specific surgery. So while it's not going to be quite as quickly as any of us hoped, he's certainly still someone we view in our long-term plans."

The White Sox hope Fry can follow the same path back as former prospect Daniel Hudson, who has returned from two surgeries to pitch for the D-backs this season.

"Obviously you don't want to see the second surgery," said assistant director of player development and scouting Del Matthews. "He has great stuff, good breaking ball, competes, good fastball command. He has a chance to be really good. So, hopefully we just get him all fixed up and get him rehabbed and sometime next year he'll be ready to go."