With Opening Day just around the corner, the White Sox are in the thick of roster decisions, and the spotlight is on right-handed pitchers Jedixson Paez and Alexander Alberto. As Rule 5 players, the stakes are high: make the roster or face the risk of being claimed by another team.
Shane Smith, a standout from the 2024 Rule 5 draft, set the bar high with a stellar rookie season. Unfortunately, Paez and Alberto haven't quite made the same impact this spring.
Paez, at 22, is sporting a 10.13 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP over 5.1 innings, while Alberto, 24, has a 9.53 ERA and a 2.29 WHIP in 5.2 innings. It's a small sample size, but neither has seized the opportunity to shine.
The White Sox bullpen is a crowded house this year. Unlike previous seasons, where multiple spots were up for grabs, the bullpen is nearly set with Seranthony Domínguez, Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure, Mike Vasil, Sean Newcomb, and Jordan Hicks locked in.
That leaves just two spots open, with Chris Murphy, Ryan Borucki, Tyler Gilbert, or Brandon Eisert likely taking one as the second lefty. Paez and Alberto are battling for the final spot against veterans Tyson Miller, Austin Voth, and Lucas Sims.
It’s a tough competition, and carrying both Rule 5 pitchers seems improbable without injuries.
Inexperience is a hurdle for Paez and Alberto. Unlike Shane Smith and Mike Vasil, who had Triple-A experience before joining the Sox, Paez and Alberto haven't pitched above High-A. This lack of experience could be a disadvantage, especially with the team aiming to compete this season rather than rebuild.
The Rule 5 Draft rules are clear: if Paez and Alberto don't make the Opening Day roster, they must be placed on waivers. If unclaimed, they return to their original teams for $50,000-Paez to the Red Sox and Alberto to the Rays.
The White Sox saw potential in these pitchers, evident from their selection and inclusion in the organization’s top 30 prospect list. Losing them would be a significant blow.
As Opening Day approaches, Chris Getz and the front office have some tough decisions to make.