The White Sox have designated infielder Jose Rodriguez for assignment, as first reported by Francys Romero. Romero suggests that Rodriguez will be put on waivers, though Sox Machine’s James Fegan indicates that the organization will first seek a potential trade partner. Presumably, Rodriguez’s DFA will clear the way for right-hander Mike Clevinger to return to the Sox. Clevinger agreed to a one-year deal to return to Chicago earlier in the week.
Rodriguez, 22, appeared in one game with the White Sox in 2023 — his lone MLB appearance. He entered that game as a pinch-runner and came around to score, but he’s still awaiting his first major league plate appearance. He split the 2023 season between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, batting a combined .262/.292/.437 with 21 home runs, 19 doubles, 31 steals (in 40 tries), a 21.9% strikeout rate and just a 4.1% walk rate.
Baseball America ranked Rodriguez ninth among White Sox farmhands heading into the 2023 season — a solid review on the back of a 2022 campaign in which he hit .280/.340/.430 in a full season of Double-A ball. His stock has dropped off considerably since that time, due in no small part to last year’s pedestrian offensive output and anemic walk rate. He’s regarded as a capable defender up the middle, though BA notes that he can at times be “too nonchalant” on defense, leading to some avoidable miscues.
Rodriguez is in the second of his three minor league option years. He’s played primarily in the middle infield but also has 184 innings of experience at third base. He’s a right-handed hitter with above-average speed, at least average power and some defensive versatility. All of that could hold appeal to another club seeking infield depth, even if there are still some refinements that need to be made in his free-swinging approach. The Sox will have a week to trade Rodriguez or attempt to pass him through outright waivers.
Did I miss something? His minor league numbers look rather good and he’s only 23. I would imagine a trade for him may be somewhat significant.
This applys to the 40 man roster not the 26 man roster. José was called up last year as an emergency depth piece, so basically service time ruling.
Good minor league numbers, typically young for the level. But White Sox have no leverage with a DFA. Whoever gets him will get a steal.
Did I miss something? Why would a rebuilding team like the White Sox be getting rid of anyone with any potential? Also if he is in the “second of three option years” why not just send him down to AAA?
The option years are the service time management. Jose was called up due to lack of depth from last season as an emergency piece.
They need the 40 man spot and he’s fallen far enough down the depth chart that he’s unlikely to be used at the MLB level this season. He’s repeating AA for his 3rd season and hasn’t shown he’s ready for AAA.
Somebody should claim him former top prospect with good minor league numbers. Considering the White Sox can’t develop talent definitely worth a risk to see if he’s still got untapped potential
Their player development benefits their pitchers not their hitters.
White Sox hate him for some reason. Good combo of pop/speed and even when they were forced to call him up last year they didn’t give him an AB. Looking forward to seeing where he goes and thrives.
I don’t think he’s ready quite yet. He didn’t touch triple A yet.
Why not Josimer Cousin? 26 year old reliever with a 5.71 ERA in Single A? Rodriquez has less value than him?
Pitching depth is way more valuable than anticipated.
I thought about Cousin as well in spring when they cut someone else, but then he actually showed an incredible curveball in spring and may be worth keeping.
I’m surprised they chose to cut a 23 year old who’s been 20-40 in AA… to sign a 33 yo pitcher to a one-year deal. Almost seems like Getz thinks they have a shot THIS YEAR? Really?
Over the past 30(!) years, the SOX organization has been unable to develop homegrown position players, with very few exceptions (TA, Maglio, CLee). In steps GM Getz, their former farm director, who might have been overruled by Kenny Williams & Rick Hahn’s brilliant ineptness, but now “Getz” to implement HIS vision of developing an organization of high OBP/plus fielders, regardless of power potential.
Jose Rodriguez’s bat & base running speed could be developed by another organization, but his free swinging puts him behind multiple MI prospects in Getz’ eyes.
Thus, the SOX will cut bait early and give another organization a chance. Twins had success with Eduardo Escoba, A’s even better with Marcus Simien, while Padres hit the jackpot with Tatis Jr, all of whom the SOX traded away at age 23 or earlier.
Also Robert, Chris Sale to name a few.
Robert essentially was a complete prospect coming out of Cuba but it could be argued he hasn’t even reached his potential cause of the White Sox development and his injury history. He has the talent to be a top 5 player in the league but won’t hit it unless he’s leaves
But also look how many top prospects they had flop Moncada, Kopech, Blake Rutherford, Vaughn has been a major disappointment, Madrigal was a massive flop, Alec Hansen was a top 100 guy, Dane Dunning didn’t do anything until they moved him, Zack Collins was a top prospect at one point, Carson Fulmer is one of the biggest draft busts of the 2010s there is even more to list so just because they had success with 3 guys doesn’t make them a good organization
J.B.J !
He isn’t good enough for Charlotte or Birmingham? He’s 22.
BTW – the good thing about the Sox is that while their major league team is AAA level right now, at least they aren’t in competition with their own Charlotte team, which gave up 26 runs yesterday to Norfolk. Proud to be a Sox fan! ;0)
The Rays will claim him and he’ll reach his potential.
Hes Moonlight Graham! No official plate appearances which woulda happened if he didn’t save Costners little toddler from certain peril thus violating the sacred boundaries of ghost baseball. Woulda shoulda coulda
That’s actually true.