2:30pm: The White Sox have officially recalled DeLoach and right-hander Nick Nastrini, with the promotion of the latter reported on yesterday. In corresponding moves, Jimenez has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain and right-hander Steven Wilson lands on the 15-day IL due to a back strain, the latter retroactive to May 20.
9:10am: The White Sox are set to recall outfielder Zach DeLoach for his big league debut prior to today’s game against the Blue Jays, reports Francys Romero, who notes that DeLoach is coming up in light of Eloy Jimenez’s injury. The Sox DH suffered a strained left hamstring last night, and the promotion of DeLoach likely points to another IL stint for the frequently injured Jimenez. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that while Jimenez is set to be further evaluated today, an IL stint is indeed seen as probable.
DeLoach, 25, was a second-round pick by the Mariners in 2020 who came to the Sox organization by way of the offseason Gregory Santos trade. He entered the season ranked 16th among Sox prospects at Baseball America and currently sits 29th on MLB.com’s White Sox top-30.
The left-handed-hitting DeLoach has opened the 2024 season with a .263/.358/.351 slash, two homers and eight steals in 159 plate appearances down in Charlotte. That’s a drop-off from the .286/.387/.481 slash he posted in 623 Triple-A plate appearances last year, though DeLoach has noticeably cut his strikeout rate from 27.8% to 22.6% and done so while maintaining an excellent 11.9% walk rate. Keen plate discipline is a hallmark of his game; DeLoach has never walked at anything lower than an 11.2% clip in his minor league career and carries an overall 13% walk rate since being drafted.
DeLoach has played all three outfield positions in his career, but he’s spent the bulk of his time in right field. MLB.com’s scouting report credits him with an average arm, while BA has him slightly below and feels he’s best-suited in left field. Despite last year’s 23 homers and the eight bags he’s already swiped this season, DeLoach doesn’t draw plus grades for either his power or speed. He’ll give the Sox an OBP-focused corner bat who’ll probably need to improve either his power, glovework or speed in order to profile as an everyday option — particularly since he’s been inconsistent when it comes to facing left-handed pitching.
DeLoach posted strong numbers against southpaws in 2023 and 2021 but struggled against them in 2022 and so far in 2024. On the whole, he’s handled lefties better than the average left-handed bat, but DeLoach hasn’t been nearly as steady against same-handed opponents as he has against right-handed pitchers, who he’s consistently knocked around throughout his pro career.
With Andrew Benintendi, Tommy Pham, Gavin Sheets, Dominic Fletcher and Corey Julks all already on the roster, DeLoach will give Chicago six outfield options. However, Benintendi has been one of the game’s least-productive hitters this season, while Sheets could see more time at DH with Jimenez hurt and/or at first base, where Andrew Vaughn has struggled nearly as much as Benintendi.
If his walk-up song isn’t Bulls on Parade – man doesn’t know how to live.
Sir, you are Killing In The Name Of, comment wise.
Testify
If a guy is coming up for the first time, how is he being “recalled”?
Lester: Doesn’t really matter. This is the kind of player the Sox have in their farm system. Nothing but rejects. As soon as a promising career tanks, you’ll find him with the White Sox.
Not my point.
But thanks for reminding me how bad the Pale Hosers are.
This is the time to see what the young prospects can do. We definitely do need better coaches throughout the White Sox system!!
The same way they are calling it a “rebuild” yet it was never built in the first place.
I thought they were calling up, Drake LaRoche.
Or possibly Drake Ramoray?
Because he’s already on the 40-man roster. He was first called up during the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He hasn’t played for CWS yet, but this technically isn’t his first time being called up to the major league roster.
He’s on the 40-man roster, which means during major league spring training, he had to be optioned to Triple-A to begin the season. The term for anyone who’s already on the 40-man being called up is “recalled.”
If he weren’t on the 40-man, his contract would be selected. It’s a bit of silly terminology, admittedly, but that’s the formal term.
Thanks. What then is the term when a guy moves from the 40-man to the 26-man roster?
Dear White Sox: Thanks for Nuthin’… Signed, Disgruntled Mariners Fan (re:Santos trade)
Sierra?
The promotion doesn’t matter much with Manager Pedro Grifol’s penchant for playing veterans ahead of prospects despite the White Sox owning MLB’s worst record and supposedly being in rebuild mode.
ASaps: What prospects? There’s Colas, who was brought up too soon and isn’t doing well in the minors. Montgomery and…? The lack of coaches who can develop players don’t exist in the Sox system at any level.
Where’s Walt Wriniak when you need him?
So the Pale Hosers are on a Penchant Run?
Yeah, Grifol as other the managers in White Sox history is the blame for only being able to play the hand that was dealt to him. Same old blah, blah, blah from the Cub Fans pretending to care about the White Sox
That’s right. Any critical comment about the White Sox has to be coming from a Cubs fan; no where else.
(As if anyone really cares about the White Sox….)
I haven’t heard much in the way of commendation or positive kudos from White Sox fans regarding Grifol. I mean, not even one report.
You play Eloy 1 game in the field, then next day, he gets injured on the bases. Problem on the horizon with Eloy. I can’t see him having any trade value. Beyong his dismal year, he’s got injury issues. He can’t play in the field, AND, if a team actually gives up a prospect for him, they’ll also be on the hook for his $3M buyout the following year. The Sox will end up getting stuck with him. I find it highly unlikely the Sox will pick up his $16M salary in ’25.
Stunning, so much love and hype for a guy with a 5.5 WAR in 6 years. Which should be a lesson, stop saying “everything is going to be great. This is just a bridge year. Montgomery is going to be up…blah, blah, blah.”
Either Eloy just doesn’t even bother stretching properly or get off the couch in the offseason at all OR his muscle fibre is deficient in oh so many ways because this dude cannot stay healthy if his livelihood depended on it
D) All of the above
MLB should just step in and make Reinsdorf sell this team to someone who wants to win verses sandbagging and making money.
Very nice guy. Met him at a minor league game last year. I’ll be pulling for him!
The usual owner/management experts are on full display. They so expert Steve Adam’s had to school them in 40 man roster. Don’t you guys get tired of hating your team so much while no one from White Sox organization takes up your recommendation. Yall must have helluva relationship issues
I disregard comments from anyone who can’t even copy “Adams” right.
Eloy is like Moncada—talented, injury prone, unreliable, and in the last analysis unproductive. Time to move on from both. It’s remarkable how bad Sox officials have been and continue to be in evaluating and developing baseball talent.
Would not mind seeing Sheets take over 1B, send Vaughn to Charlotte to see if he can get things together and give DeLoach a shot along with Fletcher and Julks.
Moncada and Eloy won’t be back next year and if they could stay reasonably healthy they would be gone by the deadline although the return be minimal.
Word on the street in Bridgeport Chicago is that Zack Davies is headed to the whitesox. You heard it here first baseball fans
Were you wearing your Alfornia Jones jersey when you heard that?
Good to hear from you, pharmor!!!
If they are serious about planning any type of future for this team, Leone should have been gone a month ago. He has been the opponents best friend.
Wait Benintendi is still in the league?
With Julks replacing Eloy, Sox are in a better place. Keep Pham, trade if u can Benetendi, move Moncada out. Keep your 4 best starters in rotation. Bring in some of the AA Barons for some experience.