Over the past two years, Chris Getz has shown that he isn't afraid to have a ton of guys in camp, especially from outside of the organization. When most starting spots for the team aren't set in stone, it can create an intense Spring Training competition, which is great to push the young prospects in the organization. During the last rebuild it felt like most of the prospects were given a spot on the roster with little competition, so it is best to change that now.
Let's take a look at some of the more intriguing position players that have been invited to Spring Training from outside the organization:
Joey Gallo
Last year Gallo played for the Washington Nationals, where he hit 10 homeruns, had 27 RBIs, and walked 32 times. He had a .277 OBP, which is pretty solid when you consider his average was .161.
Joey Gallo goes deep! pic.twitter.com/AGt1hdMHO0
— optimistic nats fan (@optimistic5518) June 4, 2024
Gallo was a member of the Twins in 2023, where he hit 21 homeruns for them in 111 games. However, Gallo is most known for his 2021 season for the Rangers and Yankees, where he had an all-star season. He hit just .199 but added 38 homeruns, 77 RBIs, and walked 111 times, which was the best in the major leagues. That season was good for a very solid 4.6 WAR.
Gallo was also an all-star in 2019, where he hit .253 with 22 homeruns and 49 RBIs in just 70 games for the Rangers. That season he accumulated 3.1 WAR and was on pace for over 40 homeruns.
Gallo can provide the type of power that the White Sox have been missing, while playing gold glove level defense wherever he is on the diamond. Gallo will push for at-bats at 1st, looking to replace Gavin Sheets' 300+ at-bats that are now up for grabs. A platoon at first with Andrew Vaughn could be in the works, as Vaughn hits lefties significantly better than righties.
Nick Maton
Maton is another intriguing player that offers a ton in terms of positional versatility. The White Sox currently have him listed as an outfielder, but he can and has played third, short, and second during his time in the big leagues. This versatility can help him make the team, as being able to play multiple positions can help your case when they trim the roster.
Last year with the Orioles organization Maton played mainly in AAA, where he hit .258 with a .363 OBP, adding 16 homers and 57 RBIs. He had some sneaky power last year, as 16 homeruns were the most he has hit in a professional season to this point in his career.
Nick Maton's first career #WALKOFF homer! pic.twitter.com/m0Mn8DBdzz
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2023
Maton's most productive professional years came as a utility player with the Phillies in 2021 and 2022 where he hit .254 with seven homeruns and 31 RBIs over 80 games.
Maton has proven he can be a very useful utility player in the major leagues and could fit that role nicely for the White Sox. It won't be without competition though, as there are a ton of infielders and outfielders vying for the same spot, so he will have to have a very solid camp. He will be a player to watch throughout Spring Training.
Brandon Drury
Drury is one of the more interesting players on this list, as he has been a very successful major leaguer and is only one year removed from a very good major league season.
In 2023, his first year with the Angels, he hit .262 with 26 homeruns and 83 RBIs as a versatile infielder. Those are fantastic numbers and would be some of the best on the White Sox. Drury also had a fantastic 2022 season that saw him win a silver slugger award, as he hit .263 with 28 homers and 87 RBIs.
2024 was an off-year for Drury, as he played in just 97 games. He did not fare well in those games, but he was likely dealing with injuries. His 2022 and 2023 campaigns give more of an indication of the type of player he can be when he is heathy.
Brandon Drury is an interesting Free Agent we haven’t heard much about this offseason.
— Kick Dirt Baseball (@KickDirtBB) January 27, 2025
He dealt with lingering hamstring issues and illnesses in 2024, but from ‘22-‘23, Drury was a .262/.313/.495 bat with a 119 wRC+
Offers defensive versatility having played 123 errorless… pic.twitter.com/h4qR4buG4u
Drury could push for a starting spot at second, third, or even shortstop depending on how things shake out. If he can prove he's heathy, he could be a valuable trade asset for the White Sox at the deadline.
There are a million different ways the infield can shake out and Spring Training will be the determining factor for a lot of these players. Chris Getz will have some tough decisions to make, but nothing should be given based on what a player has done in the past or what they can potentially do. Now is the time to make the players prove themselves for playing time.
