The White Sox Rule 5 Draft Strategy Has Quickly Backfired

It didn’t take long for the White Sox to pull the plug on their most recent Rule 5 draft pick. Prior to yesterday’s series finale against the Marlins, the team designated right-handed pitcher Jedixson Páez for assignment, selecting the contract of right-handed pitcher Lucas Sims from Triple-A to replace him.

Given the success the team had with Shane Smith last season, it made sense to use the Rule 5 draft again as a way to find another hidden gem. They ultimately selected Páez second overall from the Red Sox, giving him a chance to follow in Smith’s footsteps. He made the team despite allowing eight runs in just 11.1 spring innings, as Mike Vasil’s injury opened up a spot in the bullpen. Páez’s time on the South Side proved to be short-lived, however. He pitched in just three games, giving up six runs in three innings. He also walked three and didn’t record a strikeout.

Short Lived White Sox Stint

Páez quickly showed wasn’t ready for the big leagues. Considering he’s just 22 years old and had never pitched above High-A before this season, it’s not all that surprising. Unlike Smith, who had pitched at the Triple-A level before entering the White Sox organization, Páez was always going to be more of a developmental project. He looked overmatched against MLB hitters in a small sample. Even though it was just a couple innings, the team had seen enough.

With the pitching staff in shambles and new faces needed, the White Sox ended the experiment a lot sooner than they were hoping for. If Páez goes unclaimed, Chicago will have to offer him back to the Red Sox for $50,000. His fate will likely resemble that of Alexander Alberto, a fellow Rule 5 pick who didn’t even make the White Sox Opening Day roster and was later returned to the Rays.

Missed Opportunity

What makes the situation more frustrating is who the White Sox lost in Rule 5 Draft. They didn’t protect right-handed pitcher Peyton Pallette, who was ultimately selected by the Guardians. He made Cleveland’s Opening Day roster and has made a pair of impressive performances out of their bullpen. It’s a tough look considering Pallette would have been one of the better relievers on the White Sox to this point had they kept him.

Evaluation Questions Loom

The White Sox were looking to capture lightning in a bottle in the Rule 5 Draft in back-to-back seasons. Instead, it’s been the worst-case scenario so far. Both pitchers they selected are gone less than a week into the season, while the pitcher they failed to protect looks to have a bright future with a division rival. This sequence of events underscores the work the organization must do to improve their scouting and talent evaluation.