The White Sox are planning to select the contract of infielder Brooks Baldwin before the season resumes tomorrow, reports Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. He’s not on the 40-man roster, but the South Siders have a vacancy there after recently designating catcher Martin Maldonado for assignment.
Baldwin, 23, is a 2022 12th-round pick who generally hasn’t been considered to be among the system’s best prospects. He’s dramatically improved his stock this season, however, tearing through the Double-A level with a .322/.386/.441 slash in 319 plate appearances. That prompted a bump up to the Triple-A level, and while Baldwin’s stay there will only last eight games, nothing during that brief run with Charlotte derailed the momentum he’d established in Birmingham. In 35 trips to the plate with the Knights, Baldwin hit .345/.441/.655 with a pair of homers and more walks (five) than strikeouts (just two). Overall, the switch-hitter boasts a .324/.391/.460 slash with a 16.4% strikeout rate and 9.3% walk rate between the Sox’ top two minor league affiliates this season.
While he’s bounced all over the diamond in 2024, logging time at all three infield positions left of first base and in left field, Baldwin has been primarily a shortstop. The Sox have been going with veteran Paul DeJong there in the big leagues, and while he hasn’t exactly been a standout performer, the longtime Cardinal has belted 16 homers and turned in a passable .226/.274/.423 slash in 329 plate appearances. DeJong, however, is a clear trade candidate in the next 12 days as a reasonably productive veteran playing for a last-place team on a one-year, $1.75MM deal.
Baldwin could eventually get a run at shortstop or at second base. Chicago recently optioned Lenyn Sosa to Triple-A, and defensive-minded Nicky Lopez isn’t going to serve as a roadblock to playing time for a potential long-term piece like Baldwin. Lopez has played fine defense at second but batted .240/.297/.287 in 285 plate appearances. He’s a trade candidate himself, thanks to his plus glove at multiple positions, but the Sox could also just move Lopez into a utility role. Lopez is controlled into next year but will be a non-tender candidate, as he’ll be owed a raise on this year’s $4.3MM salary in his final trip through the arbitration process. The Sox also just signed Nick Senzel to play third base, hoping another change of scenery can bring about better production for the former No. 2 overall pick.
Whatever alignment the Sox settle on, Baldwin should get substantial run in the season’s final two and a half months. It’s possible, if not likely, that this will be just one of many auditions in that time. The Sox are sure to trade several players on the roster over the next 12 days, and those will largely be replaced by in-house prospects (the Senzel signing notwithstanding). Colson Montgomery, widely considered the ChiSox’ top prospect (and one of the top overall prospects in baseball) might have been considered for a promotion at this point had he not struggled to a .212/.328/.373 slash in 346 Triple-A plate appearances this season. Third base prospect Bryan Ramos has also struggled of late in the minors. Both rank among Chicago’s best prospects and both could be up eventually in the second half, but Baldwin’s production has apparently been too loud for Sox brass to ignore.
It would be a great story for this 12th round pick if he can stick in the bigs.
Pathetic White Sox stunting the development of another prospect.
A predictably short-sighted and ill-advised move for the worst run team in the league. Baldwin had only played a handful of games at AAA. Fire Chris Getz yesterday.
One small step….
Sell the team Mr.Reinsdorf. terrible brand of baseball top office to bottom minors.
Jump 84: Just think when Crochet, Robert and Moncada are gone. Why watch them?
Even a blind squirrel sometimes finds a nut
B Thomas: The squirrel being Reinsdorf, the nut being Chrissy Getz.
In what way is BROOKS related to:
Alec, Daniel, William and Stephen?
Unlike a pair of much higher rated White Sox infield prospects, Brooks Baldwin deserves this promotion based on his excellent production at AA and AAA this season.⚾️
Eight games at AAA. Hardly proved he had mastered the level.
Sure, why not. Paul De Jong is probably going to be traded by the deadline. Not a bad time to call up some young prospects and see what they got. It’s a low-stress big league debut on a team not going anywhere, so it’s the perfect time for more tryouts.
Baldwin has better numbers than both first round short stops of the last few years He definitely deserves this promotion. smart move.
Awesome job Brooks!! Local guy going pro!! Proud of you and hope you find success and are able to stick it in the big leagues buddy!! You and M. Gore making Columbus County proud!!
Rather see a Baldwin and others than trotting out the same bag of AAAA players. After declining club options for 2025 on Moncada, Jimenez and others the payroll is going to be about $60M.
Not to be confused with newscaster Brooke Baldwin, who is worth an image search.
Charlotte has one of worst parks for hitting development in AAA. It is nearly reduced to the same ineffectiveness seen among the hitter’s parks of PCL that fail to help prospect become good major league hitters. The White Sox need to address this flaw otherwise their best hitters will continue to have characteristic holes in their swings, limiting their upside and value.
summer ball photo?
If Baldwin shines at SS, the Sox will have the freedom to move Montgomery to 1B, 3B or RF.
Why would they play Montgomery out of his position. Don’t be Gavin Sheets 2.0.