The Chicago White Sox are shaking things up this Spring Training, and they've added an intriguing name to their roster mix. Right-hander Austin Voth has signed a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, joining the team as a non-roster invitee. This move comes as the White Sox roster is largely set, but Voth's addition could be a savvy play by Chris Getz, the team's decision-maker.
Voth's journey back to Major League Baseball is quite the tale. He's the third player under Getz's tenure to make a return after a stint overseas, following in the footsteps of Erick Fedde and Anthony Kay.
Voth's experience spans seven major league seasons across three teams, where he's logged 360 innings with a 4.70 ERA. His standout moment came in 2019 with the Washington Nationals, boasting a 3.30 ERA over 43 innings, good for a 1.1 WAR.
His career has seen its ups and downs. After a rocky patch with the Nationals, Voth found his groove with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022, posting a 3.04 ERA over 83 innings with 72 strikeouts.
However, 2023 was a struggle, as his ERA ballooned to 5.90. Yet, he bounced back in 2024 with the Seattle Mariners, transitioning to a reliever role and achieving a solid 3.69 ERA and an impressive 1.049 WHIP over 61 innings.
Voth's journey didn't stop there. He ventured to Japan, joining the Chiba Lotte Marines in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. There, he delivered a commendable performance, pitching 130 innings with a 3.88 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts, while keeping his walks to a minimum.
Now back in the U.S., Voth is eyeing a spot on the White Sox roster. His past performances both in the MLB and Japan suggest he could be a valuable asset, especially if he's refined his mechanics or pitch selection during his time abroad. While the competition will be fierce, a strong Spring showing could see him carve out a role in Chicago.
As Voth prepares to take the mound for the White Sox in Spring Training, fans should keep an eye on this potential high-upside addition. If he can recapture some of his past success, Voth might just be the surprise contributor the team needs.