Here's A Pretty Good Idea Of When White Sox Prospect Eloy Jiménez Will Makes His MLB Debut

The White Sox made some roster moves to their spring training roster and as everyone expected top prospect Eloy Jiménez was one of several minor leaguers optioned down. Not that there was ever a doubt that Jiménez would start at Triple-A in 2019, but his sluggish spring training certainly gave the White Sox an easy excuse to send him down to begin the year. It's a crappy loophole for the players, but it's not against the rules, as MLB teams continue to manipulate the service time for young prospects.

So, Eloy will be with Charlotte for a few weeks, but here's a pretty good idea of when he'll finally make his MLB debut with the White Sox. The White Sox won't be calling him up until April 12, as anytime after that the team will be able to get one more year of control before Jiménez can become eligible for free agency. Chicago starts a weekend series on April 12 on the road against the Yankees and then returns to the South Side the following Monday, for a quick three-game series against the Royals before the White Sox once again head back on the road. Back in 2016, Tim Anderson made his debut with the White Sox on June 10. That happened to be a home game against the Royals. Yoan Moncada made his White Sox debut July 19, 2017, on the road against the Dodgers. As far as their top pitching prospects that have made their debut in the past couple years, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez both made their first start in a White Sox uniform at home in 2017. Last year, their best pitching prospect Michael Kopech, made his MLB debut in Chicago as well. It doesn't appear as though the White Sox care all that much about easing a prospect in and avoiding anymore pressure by having their first game at home. So, the best bet is that Jiménez gets his first start with the White Sox against the Royals in Chicago in front of the home fans on April 15. Last year Jiménez hit .337/.384/.577, with 22 home runs in 108 games combined at Double-A and Triple-A. In 26 at-bats this spring training, Jiménez has recorded four hits, with one home run, nine strikeouts and no walks.

Yes, it is disappointing that Eloy is struggled during spring training, but his Cactus League stats aren't going to matter one bit come next year. We all know the game. It's unfair and that's why the players really want a new CBA. Anyway, April 15. Eloy time.