White Sox Swap Robert for Baldwin, Head to L.A. With Baseball’s Worst Road Record

The call-up marks the 24-year-old's third stint with the big league club. His second "stint" (a generous word) mainly consisted of hanging around the dugout until Lenyn Sosa returned from rehab.  Baldwin hasn't produced much at the plate, but sadly, it's not much of a drop-off from Robert.

Baldwin made the Opening Day roster mostly because Josh Rojas and Mike Tauchman began the season on the injured list. The Sox have kept five outfielders on the active roster all year (at one point, they even carried six), and Baldwin's presence helps maintain that tradition.

He brings speed and some positional flexibility, though "flexibility" here means "he's played a lot of spots, not necessarily well." His infield defense has been shaky , and up the middle, the Sox are already using a combination of Chase Meidroth, Lenyn Sosa, Vinny Capra, and Rojas.

What's On Tap Next?

If Tauchman's hamstring allows, he will return to right field, and Michael A. Taylor will patrol center. That would likely push either Austin Slater or Andrew Benintendi into left, depending on who's the designated hitter. Baldwin's role, therefore, might be limited to warmups, late-inning pinch-running, and looking confused in pregame outfield drills.

Unless something else breaks (and with this team, it might), Baldwin's latest MLB cup of coffee may be finished before the pot's done brewing.