Three days into the MLB free agency period, the Chicago White Sox have made their first signing. It’s likely not a name that was on anybody’s radar, and it’s not someone who’s going to be penciled in for a big role on the big league club right away, but it’s a name worth knowing nonetheless. According to White Sox beat reporters James Fegan and Scott Merkin, the team has agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Alec Marsh that includes an invitation to big league camp.
Marsh, 28, was a second-round pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2019 and worked his way through their minor league system. The Royals felt his stuff was big-league-caliber despite rough numbers throughout the minors, and he made his major league debut in 2023 for Kansas City. Marsh started just eight games for the 2023 Royals but played a bigger role the following year, starting 25 of 26 appearances and posting a 4.53 ERA for a Kansas City team that made the Postseason. It was there that he got a chance to work with current White Sox pitching coach Zach Bove, who was with the Royals organization during that season. Marsh was expected to be a factor in Kansas City’s plans for 2025 and 2026, but a shoulder impingement wiped out all of both seasons, and he elected free agency following the end of the 2026 campaign.
No. 14 @Royals prospect Alec Marsh won't forget this one!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 1, 2023
His first MLB strikeout comes against a two-time All-Star: pic.twitter.com/SpiPk1PL3h
Under the hood, Marsh featured a middle-of-the-road fastball and solid command, though it’s hard to tell exactly how his stuff will bounce back after two injury-marred seasons. He featured a six-pitch mix in 2024 and his fastball graded out as his best offerings, so we’ll see how the White Sox work with him to refine the arsenal. Marsh’s numbers aren’t remarkable by any means, but the fact that he signed so quickly with the team that Zach Bove now works for tells me there was definite interest on Bove’s side in reuniting, so we’ll see if Bove can get more out of him this year.
Alec Marsh can provide depth in the rotation or bullpen in 2027
It’s still very early in the offseason and Marsh’s role on the club has yet to be determined. He has minor league options and signed a minor league deal, so he could very easily begin the season in Triple-A and serve as pitching depth for a long season. If he does make the roster, it’s hard to see him ramping up to a full starter’s workload after two years of not pitching, so I’d expect him to be in a bullpen or swingman role at best, but the options in his contract should give the White Sox more flexibility with how to use him.
Marsh’s role could also depend on the remaining plans for the White Sox offseason. They have a relatively small payroll and clear needs across the pitching staff, so I expect them to be aggressive in their pursuit of upgrades. Hopefully, they acquire enough depth that they don’t need to rely on Marsh to play a large role right away, but adding serviceable major league arms to cover the long MLB season is never a bad idea. Marsh is still arbitration eligible, so should he emerge as a reliable option this season, he’s a player that Chicago could keep around.
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