Veteran outfielder Michael Saunders has signed a minor league contract with the White Sox, according to an announcement from the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte. He’s on the active roster for today’s game. Saunders, who recently opted out of a minor league pact with the Orioles, is represented by Meister Sports Management.
Saunders, 31, had a tough time with Baltimore’s top affiliate, logging a paltry .161/.291/.253 batting line with a homer, three doubles, a triple and two steals in 103 plate appearances. He struck out 23 times while playing with Norfolk though did still show a decent recognition of the strike zone, drawing 16 walks as well.
It’s been a steep decline for Saunders, a 2016 All-Star with the Blue Jays. The Canadian-born outfielder wore down in the second half of that season and endured similar struggles with the 2017 Phillies after signing a one-year deal as a free agent.
Saunders was a top prospect with the Mariners and, in addition to his terrific first half in 2016 showed strong potential in Seattle on multiple occasions. Injuries, however, have been an ongoing issue throughout his career. Most recently, he missed the majority of the 2015 season after suffering a torn meniscus in Spring Training that required surgery. Saunders has also dealt with shoulder injuries and missed time due to an oblique issue in the Majors as well. He’ll look to get back on track with a White Sox club that recently saw Nicky Delmonico land on the disabled list and is also without right fielder Avisail Garcia, which could eventually lead to some opportunities at the MLB level if he performs well with the Knights.
ALL IN BABY
“It’s been a steep decline for Saunders, a 2016 All-Star with the Blue Jays.”
Top-10 decline of all time? As I’ve said before, I don’t believe seen a quicker fall from grace, than Saunders’ fall from grace. Hope he makes it. Best-case, he gets traded for prospects.
His second half of 2016 wasnt even good. It, arguably, “fell” even sooner than being released lol – Hope he fixes it though, seems like a good guy.
His second half collapse was the steep decline. Many players decline second half. But Saunders hasn’t recovered since, which is all the more puzzling since first half of 2016, he was an all-star.
But is it surprising? He overachieved his all-star year and then fell back to what his numbers were supposed to be.
I don’t think anyone thought he’d be a 300 hitter, 25 homerun guy for the rest of his career, he fell below what his numbers were supposed to be, down to about a .178 average after the break.
Quickest non-injury-related decline since at least Jhonny Peralta
Ken Harvey comes to mind. One year am All Star, the next, basically gone from the league.
Funny part about all the comments he’s still better than anyone the sox are running out there now
Especially with Avi Garcia on the shelf. Palka has been an impressive presence out there though (.271 avg, .837 OPS in a small sample size). He doesn’t seem to have a path to the roster unless they’re ready to give up on Trayce Thompson.
Please give up on Trayce Thompson!
“I did… years ago.”
— Trayce Thompson’s Mom
Saunders continues his apparent attempt to sign minor league contracts with every franchise in MLB before he calls it quits. That’s 4 this season already (Pirates, Royals, Orioles, White Sox) and we’re not even to June yet
Maybe he just likes trying all the different ballpark food?