The White Sox didn’t waste any time making headlines in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. Holding the second overall pick, they doubled down on a strategy that paid off last season-targeting high-upside arms with the potential to contribute at the big-league level.
Last year, it was Shane Smith and Mike Vasil (acquired via trade before the season) who gave the Sox meaningful innings. This time around, they’re hoping lightning strikes again.
With their top pick, the White Sox selected right-hander Jedixson Perez out of the Red Sox system. Perez, now ranked 15th on the team’s top-30 prospects list per MLB Pipeline, brings starting experience and upside to a club that’s clearly prioritizing raw talent and projection over polish. But the Sox weren’t done.
In fact, they were the only team to make a second-round selection, and they used it on another intriguing arm: Alexander Alberto, a 6'8" flamethrower from the Rays’ organization. At 24 years old, Alberto is a bit older than your typical High-A pitcher, but his stuff is anything but ordinary.
Let’s talk arsenal. Alberto features a fastball that touches 100 mph, a cutter that sits at 97, and a slider in the low 90s.
That’s a three-pitch mix that’s already tough to square up, and it’s earned him a 70-grade fastball from MLB Pipeline. He’s now ranked 21st on the White Sox prospect list, and for good reason.
Last season, Alberto logged 35 innings at High-A, posting a 2.83 ERA with 45 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a .224 opponent batting average. He also finished with a 1.17 WHIP across nearly 50 innings. That’s the kind of profile that turns heads in a Rule 5 setting-big velocity, swing-and-miss potential, and just enough control to dream on.
Of course, there’s risk here. Alberto hasn’t pitched above High-A, and making the leap straight to the majors is no small task.
That said, the White Sox are in a position where they can afford to roll the dice. With innings to fill and a bullpen looking for impact arms, Alberto will get every opportunity to prove he belongs.
He’s already drawing some buzz, too. **J.J.
Cooper of Baseball America** noted that Alberto’s 100 mph cutter offers flashes reminiscent of All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase. That’s not to say he is Clase-but if you’re getting even slight comparisons to one of the nastiest relievers in the game, you’re doing something right.
This approach from the White Sox bucks the usual Rule 5 trend, where most teams target more polished players from the upper minors. Instead, Chicago is betting on ceiling.
It’s a bold move, but one that could pay serious dividends. If even one of Perez or Alberto sticks and contributes, it’s a win.
And if Alberto’s stuff translates to the big leagues? That’s a potential bullpen weapon, acquired for nothing more than a Rule 5 pick.
Worst case? He’s returned to the Rays. But if he turns in anything close to what Shane Smith or Mike Vasil gave the Sox last season, GM Chris Getz deserves credit for once again finding value in a market where others play it safe.
There’s no guarantee, but there’s plenty of upside. And in a season where the White Sox are looking for building blocks, Alexander Alberto just might be one worth watching.