It’s almost that time of year again.
In preparation for Spring Training, the White Sox officially announced that nine free-agent players on Thursday, in addition to 17 others from within the organization, have received non-roster invites to the club’s camp in Glendale, Arizona. The free agent signees who were invited include:
- Keynan Middleton (RHP)
- Jesse Scholtens (RHP)
- Nate Fisher (LHP)
- Sebastián Rivero (C)
- Hanser Alberto (INF)
- Erik González (INF)
- Billy Hamilton (OF)
- Jake Marisnick (OF)
- Víctor Reyes (OF)
The remainder of the players below were invited to major-league camp from within the club’s minor-league system:
- Sean Burke (RHP)
- Declan Cronin (RHP)
- Edgar Vavarro (RHP)
- Lane Ramsey (RHP)
- Matthew Thompson (RHP)
- Fraser Ellard (LHP)
- Samuel Peralta (LHP)
- Andrew Perez (LHP)
- Adam Hackenberg (C)
- Evan Skoug (C)
- Moisés Castillo (INF)
- Luis Mieses (INF)
- Colson Montgomery (INF)
- Zach Remillard (INF)
- Yoelqui Céspedes (OF)
- Oscar Colás (OF)
- Adam Haseley (OF)
Among the most notable names on the list are Baseball America’s Top 25 White Sox prospects Montgomery (No. 1), Colás (No. 2), Burke (No. 5), Thompson (No. 12), Céspedes (No. 16), Mieses (No. 20) and Hackenberg (No. 30). Montgomery (No. 39) and Colás (No. 89) also rank among the publication’s Top 100 prospects in baseball, with the latter being among the most intriguing names to watch in February and March.
Colás, who was also ranked MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 White Sox prospect, had a remarkable 2022 season. After signing during the previous offseason as an international free agent, the Cuban appeared across three different levels with the organization. He played primarily in High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham, where he hit .309/.367/.516 with 21 home runs and 75 runs batted in. Considered by many to be the right fielder of the future, the intrigue only intensified after manager Pedro Grifol commented on the outfield situation during an appearance on 670 The Score.
“Well, certainly, Oscar Colás is going to be given every opportunity to see if he can become our right fielder on a daily basis,” Grifol said. “Obviously, Sheets is another option. Leury Garcia is an option. I think there’s going to be some competition there in right field, and Oscar is going to be right in the middle of it.”
Along with the starting right field job, there will be plenty of other interesting storylines to follow. All fans will surely be monitoring the starting rotation, second base, and fourth outfield situations.
Pitchers and catchers will officially report to Spring Training on Wednesday, February 15 – which includes physicals and a workout. Position players will report and undergo physicals on Monday, February 20. The first full-squad workout will also take place on the 20th.
Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th all spring long for the latest updates!
Featured Photo: © Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
