White Sox top prospect dealing with an injury in Dominican Winter League play will be shut down until the start of Spring Training next year.
Eloy Jimenez, the Chicago White Sox top prospect, will be shut down after experiencing a quad injury during Dominican Winter League play according to James Fegan of The Athletic. Jimenez will be ready to go at the start of Spring Training next year.
While the talk of the past week for the Sox has been whether they will sign Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, Jimenez could be ready to make an impact for the team as soon as next season. Through eight games in the Dominican Winter League, Jimenez hit .448 with a .779 slugging percentage.
Jimenez wasn’t promoted to the Sox this past September despite a strong 2018 season with Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. The Sox could either promote Jimenez to the team to start the 2019 season or follow the trend around baseball and hold him back for a few weeks to get an extra year of team control.
More from White Sox News
- The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
- The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
- Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
- Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
The reasoning for the Sox not promoting Jimenez this past season was reportedly his defense. Jimenez should get more time to work on his outfield defense in Spring Training next year. The talented prospect won’t ever be a gold glove outfielder, but his route running will be important in the Majors once he’s promoted.
With the Sox making additions to the team this offseason, Jimenez could join a franchise that could be contending in 2019. A lot will have to go right for the Sox in order for them to have a modest chance at competing for a division championship as the Cleveland Indians will still have a strong team next season despite their recent trades.
When Jimenez makes his major league debut for the Sox, it should be an exciting time for fans of this team. The future continues to look bright and before any of us knows it, Jimenez will be suiting up in a Sox uniform and occupying left field at Guaranteed Rate Field.