Chicago White Sox: Eloy Jimenez adds to potentially epic rebuild

Trading for Eloy Jimenez brings more top-flight talent to the Chicago White Sox, making their future look even brighter.

While working at the University of Notre Dame, I, while being a Chicago White Sox fan, have taken in the occasional South Bend Cubs (Class A Chicago Subs affiliate) game in the summer time.

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During one such trip in 2016, I witnessed a certain young outfielder named Eloy Jimenez pummel a fastball onto the left field concourse at Four Winds Field for a titanic home run in his first plate appearance of the day.

Today, that kid became the latest addition to an epic Chicago White Sox talent pool.

The 20-year-old Jimenez came to the Sox as the centerpiece of the Jose Quintana trade, coming along with pitcher Dylan Cease and infielders Matt Rose and Bryant Flete to the South Side. In his first year of A-ball in South Bend, he hit .329 with 14 homers and a .532 slugging percentage (.901 OPS) in 112 games at Class A South Bend. At Class A Myrtle Beach this year, he was hitting .271 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 42 games.

The Cubs’ former top-ranked prospect, Jimenez joins a host of top talent in the Sox minor league system. After adding Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech via the Chris Sale trade and signing Cuban star Luis Robert, the Sox are swimming in top prospects.

That’s how you turn around one of the worse farm systems in baseball.

Star-studded outfield on the way?

With the pickup of Jimenez, the future looks blindingly bright in the Chicago White Sox outfield.

For one thing, All-Star right fielder Avisail Garcia is approaching his prime, leaving them with one less difference-maker to find if they choose to keep him around. Then, the Cuban phenom Robert projects as the team’s center fielder of the future. By the way, there’s another guy who can crush the ball…

That leaves left field for Jimenez in the future, which is actually where scouts believe he fits best. His bat certainly belongs in a corner outfield spot, with his remarkable raw power. Interestingly, for all his athleticism, he doesn’t have a great throwing arm. While he could still improve in this aspect as he matures physically, left field should suit him perfectly. As long as he can catch the ball and hit it a ton at the plate, his throwing arm won’t matter.

Picture that for a moment: Garcia, Robert and Jimenez potentially manning the outfield in two years. I’d say Rick Hahn nailed this one.

Next: Instant reaction from the Jose Quintana trade

Even if Jimenez is a year or two from breaking camp as their starting left fielder, this move made the Chicago White Sox markedly better as an organization. And maybe in a few years, it could help them return to the playoffs once more. When that time comes, I hope I get to see Jimenez play again, this time wearing white and black.