MILWAUKEE - From the sun-soaked fields of Tinaquillo, Venezuela, to the bright lights of American Family Field, Jedixson Paez's journey is one of dreams meeting reality. Growing up, Paez idolized Mariners legend Félix Hernández, often telling himself, “One day, I’m going to be like him.”
Fast forward to the 2026 season opener, where Paez found himself on the mound for the White Sox, debuting in a challenging 14-2 loss to the Brewers. Ranked as the White Sox's No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Paez was a key pick in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft, taken second overall from Boston.
His journey hasn't been without its bumps. Paez transitioned from High-A Greenville, making the leap to the majors with a stint in Spring Training as a multi-inning reliever. Thursday's outing saw him surrender three runs, including a three-run homer by Jake Bauers, but this was more than just a game for Paez-it was a milestone.
“Making it to the Majors is the dream,” Paez shared. “I didn’t expect it to happen so fast.”
White Sox manager Will Venable sees potential in Paez’s calm demeanor. “He'll give us length out of the bullpen. There’s a big jump from A ball, but he’s ready for it,” Venable noted.
A heartwarming moment captured by White Sox social media showed Venable and GM Chris Getz sharing the news of Paez's roster spot. Surrounded by the coaching staff, Paez couldn’t contain his joy, immediately calling his family to share the moment.
“They were screaming, very happy,” Paez said. “It’s a dream come true.”
Paez faces a unique challenge as a Rule 5 pick-he must remain on the 26-man roster all season or be offered back to the Red Sox. Despite a rocky start, there's plenty of room for growth. With a repertoire of six pitches, he’s eager to prove he belongs and perhaps even surpass his hero, Hernández.
“That’s the goal,” Paez said confidently. “Every day is a challenge to show I belong here.”
His journey truly began during Wednesday’s workout, as he stepped into a Major League clubhouse for the first time. “Just wow,” Paez marveled. “Seeing the big league field was incredible.”
Getz is optimistic about Paez’s potential. “He’s more than capable.
We want him to get comfortable and help us out,” he said. “That’s why he’s on the Opening Day roster.
We’ll see how it unfolds.”
For Paez, this is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season, one where he hopes to carve out his own legacy in the big leagues.