The White Sox have informed Rule 5 draftee Jedixson Paez that he’ll break camp, reports Ari Alexander of Boston 7 News. The 22-year-old righty was the second pick in December’s Rule 5 draft, taken out of the Red Sox’s system.
Chicago was the only club to make two Rule 5 selections this year. Their second pick, Alexander Alberto, didn’t make the team and was offered back to the Rays last week. Paez sticks around despite giving up eight runs across 11 1/3 innings this spring. He recorded 11 strikeouts while allowing 12 hits and issuing five walks.
Paez has never pitched above the High-A level. He’s a development play for a rebuilding White Sox team. It’s rare for a player to have much immediate success when they jump beyond the top two minor league levels. The White Sox figure to pitch him mostly in mop-up situations. They’ll need to carry him on the MLB roster for the entire season to secure his contractual rights.
It’s a difficult challenge, but Paez’s long-term upside intrigues evaluators. Baseball America ranked him the #16 prospect in the Chicago system over the offseason, crediting him with potential plus-plus command. Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs wrote in December that Paez had the raw stuff and control to project as a potential #4 starter at his peak, though he faces questions about his durability. He was limited to 19 1/3 innings last season by a calf issue. He has thrown just over 300 innings in his professional career.
Paez is the sixth player from this year’s Rule 5 class who is confirmed to have made their clubs’ active rosters. Carter Baumler (Rangers), Ryan Watson (Red Sox), Matt Pushard (Cardinals), Peyton Pallette (Guardians) and Cade Winquest (Yankees) all made the team. Daniel Susac (Giants) and Roddery Muñoz (Astros) certainly seem to be trending in that direction as well.
Rockies draftee RJ Petit blew out this spring and underwent Tommy John surgery. He’ll be on the injured list all season. Griff McGarry, Zach McCambley and Alberto were all returned to their previous organizations. The only remaining borderline case is Blue Jays righty Spencer Miles, who awaits word on whether he secured the final spot in their season-opening bullpen. Toronto has already announced that 2024 Rule 5 selection Angel Bastardo, who missed all of last year to injury, will not break camp. He’ll be offered back to the Red Sox if he clears waivers.
Nice add- hopefully joining the likes of Shane Smith and Mike Vasil
Can he move an extra letter from his first name to his second?
Jedison Paxez
Jedixso Panez
He’ll leave the dark side by May 4.
He wasn’t jedixsonned to AAA
Most of his ugly numbers were from one awful outing. He was much sharper in the others, which is apparently what the Sox are choosing to focus on. The Vasil news sucked, but it carries a silver lining for Paez in particular.
Maybe Paez and Vasil could be long relievers in 2027?
May the force be with him.
The white Sox can afford putting this guy in their roster and he does appear to have some upside but his experience and results have not be great. I mean no AA or AAA experience and making the opening day roster at 22 after being a rule 5 pickup. That’s kind of wild
It happens more often than some think.
May as well. Throw him once or twice a week in low leverage situations (up 6+ and down 3+). Try not to let him face a team twice. He will have all three options after 2026 so the worst case is that he ends up as a shuttle reliever who gets to learn all about Charlotte.
White Sox must keep him on the roster all season or be returned to Boston.
Right, but they can still option him in 2027.
Finally! Someone named Paez in the majors!