White Sox to recall former second-round pick for MLB debut

The White Sox are set to recall outfielder Zach DeLoach for his big league debut before Wednesday’s game against the Blue Jays, reports Francys Romero, who notes that DeLoach is coming up in light of Eloy Jimenez’s injury. 

The Sox DH suffered a strained left hamstring Tuesday night, and the promotion of DeLoach likely points to another IL stint for the frequently injured Jimenez. 

Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that while Jimenez is set to be further evaluated Wednesday, an IL stint is indeed seen as probable.

DeLoach, 25, was a second-round pick by the Mariners in 2020 who came to the Sox organization by way of the offseason Gregory Santos trade. He entered the season ranked 16th among Sox prospects at Baseball America and currently sits 29th on MLB.com’s White Sox top 30.

The left-handed-hitting DeLoach has opened the 2024 season with a .263/.358/.351 slash, two homers and eight steals in 159 plate appearances down in Charlotte. 

That’s a drop-off from the .286/.387/.481 slash he posted in 623 Triple-A plate appearances last year, though DeLoach has noticeably cut his strikeout rate from 27.8 percent to 22.6 percent and done so while maintaining an excellent 11.9 percent walk rate. 

Keen plate discipline is a hallmark of his game; DeLoach has never walked at anything lower than an 11.2 percent clip in his minor league career and carries an overall 13 percent walk rate since being drafted.

DeLoach has played all three outfield positions in his career, but he’s spent the bulk of his time in right field. MLB.com’s scouting report credits him with an average arm, while BA has him slightly below and feels he’s best suited in left field. 

Despite last year’s 23 homers and the eight bags he’s already swiped this season, DeLoach doesn’t draw plus grades for either his power or speed. He’ll give the Sox an OBP-focused corner bat who’ll probably need to improve either his power, glovework or speed to profile as an everyday option — particularly since he’s been inconsistent when it comes to facing left-handed pitching.

DeLoach posted strong numbers against southpaws in 2023 and 2021 but struggled against them in 2022 and so far in 2024. On the whole, he’s handled lefties better than the average left-handed bat, but DeLoach hasn’t been nearly as steady against same-handed opponents as he has against right-handed pitchers, whom he’s consistently knocked around throughout his pro career.

With Andrew Benintendi, Tommy Pham, Gavin Sheets, Dominic Fletcher and Corey Julks all already on the roster, DeLoach will give Chicago six outfield options. 

However, Benintendi has been one of the game’s least-productive hitters this season. Sheets could see more time at DH with Jimenez hurt and/or at first base, where Andrew Vaughn has struggled nearly as much as Benintendi.