The White Sox have gutted their roster over the previous season as their rebuild has gone into full swing, however they’ll goal for some extra consistency down the stretch in 2024. Outfielder Dominic Fletcher and infielder/outfielder Miguel Vargas can have extra solidified roles down the stretch. James Fegan of Sox Machine tweeted just lately that interim supervisor Grady Sizemore desires to present Vargas a constant position (one thing he’s beforehand not had with the Dodgers), so he’ll play primarily at third base. Sizemore additionally stated he plans to deploy Fletcher in a near-everyday position after he’s been closely platooned prior so far (X hyperlink by way of Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Solar-Occasions).
Fletcher, 26, got here to the Sox in an offseason deal that despatched pitching prospect Christian Mena to the Diamondbacks. His plus contact expertise and strong glovework seemingly give him a excessive ground within the outfield corners, however Fletcher floundered by 66 plate appearances within the White Sox’ first 23 video games and located himself shortly optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. He returned in mid-Could, collected one hit in 18 plate appearances, after which hit the injured listing with a shoulder pressure.
The Sox despatched Fletcher on a rehab project and optioned him afterward. He hit effectively in his final run with Triple-A Charlotte, was recalled to the large leagues the night previous to the commerce deadline, and now stands to log an on a regular basis position down the stretch. He’s profiting from it in his tiny pattern to date; after hitting .283/.345/.377 in 53 Triple-A journeys to the plate following his rehab stint, he’s tallied 27 plate appearances within the huge leagues and gone 9-for-26 with a double, a stroll and solely three strikeouts. It’s a minuscule set of video games, in fact, nevertheless it’s nonetheless essentially the most encouraging run Fletcher has had since touchdown in Chicago.
“I really like Dom’s sport,” Sizemore informed the Sox beat (by way of Van Schouwen). “He’s all-around participant, particularly the protection.”
Fletcher hasn’t proven that but with the South Siders, however he did slash .301/.350/.441 in 102 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2023’s MLB debut. He’s additionally a lifetime .293/.376/.462 hitter in 889 turns on the plate in Triple-A, the place he’s fanned in a lower-than-average 18.6% of his plate appearances and drawn walks at a stout 10.6% charge.
Fletcher has additionally drawn sturdy defensive marks in restricted time. He’s performed solely 487 innings within the outfield in his huge league profession however been credited with plus marks in Defensive Runs Saved (7) and Outs Above Common (3). When solely his nook work (200 innings), each DRS (5) and OAA (5) really feel he’s been even stronger. Once more, it’s not an enormous pattern, however scouting experiences on Fletcher have been bullish on his glove for a while now. Previous to the season, Baseball America referred to as him a possible plus defender in any respect three positions, noting that his “nice reads and above-average routes … and above-average arm energy” all assist to offset his roughly common pace.
As for Vargas, his time with the Sox has gotten out to a tough begin after being acquired within the Erick Fedde/Michael Kopech deal. Just lately fired skipper Pedro Grifol has performed him at third base, designated hitter and in left discipline, however Sizemore appears eager to maintain him on the scorching nook transferring ahead. Nonetheless simply 24 and solely a season faraway from rating among the many sport’s high 40 total prospects, Vargas has batted .116/.240/.209 in 50 plate appearances. He’s not less than proven good strike zone recognition, drawing seven walks (14%) and chasing solely 19.8% of pitches off the plate — manner shy of the 28.5% league common. Earlier this season, it didn’t take a for much longer stoop than this for the Sox to possibility Fletcher earlier, nevertheless it appears they’re understandably intent on giving Vargas some extra time to work by his huge league struggles.
In any case, there’s little left for Vargas to show within the minors. He’s a .297/.412/.512 hitter in 997 Triple-A plate appearances, together with an enormous .290/.440/.556 batting line there in 2024. The White Sox already know Vargas can clobber upper-minors pitching, and the main focus will now shift on coaxing enhancements from the gifted teenager on the MLB stage. With the Dodgers, they bounced Vargas from third base, to second base, to first base, to left discipline in an effort to get his touted minor league bat right into a veteran-laden lineup the place Vargas was largely blocked from a daily position. He’ll have a a lot clearer runway to taking part in time at Assured Fee Subject — and at his pure place, no much less.
There’s minimal competitors for both participant for the time being. Within the outfield, Fletcher has been lining up in proper discipline alongside heart fielder Luis Robert Jr. and left fielder Andrew Benintendi. Oscar Colas hasn’t hit effectively in Triple-A or the majors this season. Corey Julks hasn’t hit a lot within the majors, both. Zach DeLoach, acquired from the Mariners within the Gregory Santos deal, has roughly league-average numbers in Triple-A.
It’s the same story for Vargas at third base. Former high prospect Nick Senzel hasn’t hit with the Nationals or White Sox this season and can seemingly be non-tendered within the offseason. Lenyn Sosa has seen a while at third base however is a utility participant in a best-case state of affairs. Bryan Ramos, who entered the season as certainly one of Chicago’s high prospects, has taken an enormous step again in 2024 after a breakout 2023 season in Double-A. With a robust end, each Fletcher and Vargas may primarily stake their declare to common jobs on what must be a largely wide-open White Sox roster in 2025.
