White Sox: Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease Optioned to Triple-A Charlotte
White Sox option top prospects to Triple-A along with sending other prospects to minor league camp as the team trims roster just ahead of Opening Day.
Most White Sox fans didn’t expect Eloy Jimenez to start the season in the major leagues. On Wednesday, they were proven to be correct as the White Sox optioned Jimenez and their other top prospect Dylan Cease to Triple-A Charlotte.
Other players such as Micker Adolfo and Zack Collins were optioned to Double-A Birmingham while Luis Robert, Jimmy Lambert, and Donn Roach were assigned to minor league camp. For Jimenez, his option back to Charlotte should come as no surprise to many fans.
The Sox front office didn’t promote Jimenez to the Majors last season after a strong showing with the Knights as they cited his defense still needing work. As most saw through what the Sox front office was stating and could see it was more about service time manipulation than anything else, many expected Jimenez to not make his major league debut until mid-April.
His option to Charlotte while isn’t surprising could do some good. Jimenez struggled through Spring Training this year as he hit just .154 with one home run and three RBIs through 26 at-bats. Jimenez could surely use some more reps in the minors and get back to the player he was last season with the Knights.
As Sox fans continue to wait for Jimenez to join the team, they could have to wait a little longer to see Cease. The young right-handed pitcher had a good season in 2018 with the Barons and will get his first taste of Triple-A this year with Charlotte. This spring, Cease pitched 2.2 innings while allowing one earned run and recording two strikeouts.
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Although the Sox will be without their other top pitching prospect in Michael Kopech this year, there won’t any reason for Cease to be rushed to the Majors. Cease should debut in September when rosters expand or if he shows he’s ready and the Sox have an immediate need. Soon enough, however, Sox fans will see Jimenez and Cease on the south side this year.