The White Sox announced on Wednesday that they’ve optioned top outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez to Double-A Birmingham. The 21-year-old homered twice and hit a triple in nine spring plate appearances with the Sox, but he was never viewed as a candidate to break camp with the team. Jimenez has just 18 games of Double-A ball to his credit and has yet to play Triple-A, so he’ll head to the minors for additional development. The centerpiece of last summer’s Jose Quintana blockbuster with the crosstown Cubs, Jimenez figures to be a critical long-term piece on the South Side of Chicago, though ChiSox fans will likely have to wait at least a few months before getting a look at him in the Majors. That’s just fine with Jimenez, as Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com writes, though the youngster also made clear he thinks he is ready to play at the game’s highest level.
More from the division…
- Another top prospect, Indians catcher Francisco Mejia, could actually end up seeing some action in the outfield as part of a plan to utilize him in the majors in the near term, Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer reports. Mejia has previously been tried out at the hot corner, which Hoynes says “didn’t take,” so clearly the Cleveland organization isn’t fully committed to keeping him behind the dish. Regardless, he’s seen as a high-quality hitting prospect who could soon make an impact. The impression made by outfielder Abraham Almonte was not quite as positive, Hoynes notes, as he is not in shape and has already been optioned despite toting a $825K arb contract into camp.
- At one point, Hunter Dozier of the Royals had that kind of lofty billing. But the eighth overall pick of the 2013 draft has seen his star fade over the years. As MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan writes, the organization now seems to see Dozier mostly as a first baseman, which doesn’t necessarily boost his long-term value outlook as he prepares to open the season at Triple-A. That said, the organization is obviously focused primarily on finding a path for Dozier to contribute to the majors. That won’t happen out of camp, but the 26-year-old remains one of the Royals’ better-regarded prospects. Injuries robbed him of a full 2017 season, though he did impress with a .296/.366/.533 overall slash in the upper minors in the prior campaign.
- As many have observed, the Twins appear to be one of the prime beneficiaries of the collapse of free-agent demand this winter. Both Logan Morrison and Lance Lynn agreed to surprising one-year deals with Minnesota; as MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reports, both elected to go there in no small part owing to the hope that their single season would be with a winning organization. While those two veterans surely anticipated quite a bit more earning power, it seems there are good vibes all around in Twins’ camp.
- The Tigers are deliberating over the fate of Rule 5 pick Victor Reyes, as Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press writes. Skipper Ron Gardenhire says it’s “honestly a really big one” — decision, that is — for the rebuilding organization. It could come down to Reyes and fellow outfielder JaCoby Jones, who has had a strong spring but can still be optioned. Interestingly, Fenech says the Tigers tried and failed to get Reyes in the J.D. Martinez trade, despite the fact that he came available just months later via the Rule 5. Gardenhire discussed the matter at some length, noting that Reyes could be a functional player even though he’s clearly not quite as polished as would be hoped. “I know where we’re at as an organization,” said Gardenhire. “We’re talking about developing and all those things so I think I can use him.”
I say it’s even money that Eloy Jiminez reaches the majors by the end of the 2018 season., even if he appropriately starts the season at AA, He can definitely hit…
Let Almonte toil in AAA. I rather see Naquin or Greg Allen get some playing time with the Indians than Almonte.
Absolutely this!
Also agree, tired of seeing him and Michael Martinez and would take my chances with one of the youngsters.
I’d rather see Almonte in the waiver wire
*on
I’d be surprised if Eloy isn’t with the major league club this season. I would think just past the All-star break for his arrival.
Enough time to elapse to escape Super 2 classification and give the Sox a 7th year of team control.
super 2 isn’t an extra year of control. it’s a 4th year of arbitration
White Sox fans, Over under 68 wins for sox. I’m thinking over . Thoughts???
Under
Didn’t address a Left handed bat
Should offered LOMO or Duda a bigger contract. No DH- questionable 3rd option
No CF (couldve had maybin for cheap)
Yah, they should’ve offered LoMo or Duda a contract so they could be a 73 win team this year. That’s a great call.
I think slightly over, but I’m hoping for the under. As long as the main pieces stay healthy, I’ll be relatively happy either way. This is only the start of year 2 of the rebuild. They have a ton of high quality prospects, but at least one more year of high picks, more likely two, is the best thing for the organization right now.
Over 68 for sure. Eloy coming up in June or July. Moncada figures it out at the plate. Jose does what Jose does. Big “Dame” James gets injured in late April & the young hurlers Giolito, Lopez, Gonzalez, Santiago, Hansen, Kopech, Cease, Rodon come up & dominate. At least 78 wins Sox gonna beat up on Tigers & Royals, tread water against Twinkies who added a bunch of players none of which are impact players & get pounded by Cleveland. They need to be respectable for Hahn to keep Avi & Jose. Those 2 guys are excellent mentors & solid pro’s; rebuilding teams have to veterans like them on it . ChiSox 2020 World Series Champs
lol
Near 80 wins and you can take it to the bank. Eloy will appear with the Sox by early August, and other youngsters (Anderson, Moncada, Z. Collins) should improve. There are question marks amongst the pitching and a year or two of seasoning is needed for our excellent young prospects on the mound. I think Burger has a chance to win the 3rd base job over Sanchez and Davidson. This team is headed only one way-up.
Yes indeed Minnie, even if they do have a big red arrow pointing down on what is now Guaranteed Rate Field. ChiSox arrow pointing way up. Burger has a torn achilles so he wont be taking that job away from Yolmer this year unfortunately
I’m betting over so I am taking it to bank. I think 72 wins +
Over 73 wins
Almonte not in shape — maybe that’s because it took him PED’s to get this far to begin with! Cut him
Under. That staff is extremely weak and only a few MLB caliber hitters.
Eloy’s comin’
that’s what she said
Eloy’s comin, Hawk no longer.
Seriously though, I think they’ll be better than expected this year.
Seeing as how Jacoby Jones has options, I’m keeping Reyes if I’m the Tigers. I’d rather have more young depth.
No guarantee Martinez remains healthy, or that Mahtook hits half his weight. I’d be willing to wager that JaCoby will still see a rather significant amount of playing time in the major leagues even if he’s optioned to Triple-A to begin the season.
Let Dozier learn to play 1B at Omaha. Royals do not have anyone blocking him in KC. Platoon Duda with Schwindel. If Dozier shows some promise, both of those guys can be moved.
Im a dozier fan. That being said. Hes not worth the development. Hes what 26? Those arent prospects those are career minor leaguers. Sure injuries are a set back. But we dont need him finally performing at the age of 31 at the expected level of his potential