Chicago White Sox: Eloy Jimenez on roster for MLB Opening Day
The Chicago White Sox have decided to buck the service-time trend of sending top rookies to the minor leagues to start the season. Instead, they put their top prospect on the roster for MLB Opening Day.
This is great news for Chicago White Sox fans who weren’t expecting to see Eloy Jimenez get time with the team until late April.
The power-hitting outfielder is actually on the 25-man roster and will join the team in Kansas City on MLB Opening Day. While the lineup has yet to be released, all signs point to him getting a start in left field on the most exciting day that should be a national holiday.
He is the White Sox top prospect and according to Vinnie Dubar of NBC Sports Chicago:
"“Jimenez is locked in as the everyday left fielder for the foreseeable future and every one of his at-bats this season will be of utmost interest as the No. 3 prospect in the game begins his career.”"
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As the number three prospect in the game behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr.and Fernando Tatis Jr. hopes are high for Jimenez. Guerrero will not be on the Toronto Blue Jays roster for Opening Day as he is dealing with an oblique injury. But, Tatis is joining the San Diego Padres on Opening Day.
The decision to put Jimenez on the Opening Day roster had to be an easy one for the front office. The ChiSox signed him to an extension that keeps him on the team until 2025. He was one of the earliest extensions signed this spring as the White Sox gave him a six-year deal worth a minimum of $43 million.
According to Will Larken with the Chicago Tribune,
"“Jimenez, 22, received a $5 million signing bonus in addition to the six year, $43 million deal, the richest ever for a player with no service time before his major-league debut.”"
The contract has gradual increases until 2025 when the Sox have options and buyouts. In 2024, he is scheduled to make $13 million. The two options for 2025 and 2026 are for $16.5 and $18.5 million. The White Sox clearly have big plans for the young left fielder.
During Spring Training, Jimenez had 37 at-bats and hit a slash of .243/.263/.459 with two home runs and two doubles. He was sidelined with an oblique injury during the winter-ball season, but he appears to be ready to play on a daily basis.
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He hit fifth in the last few games of Spring Training, so expect to see him hit after Yonder Alonso when the Opening Day lineup is released.