Eloy Jimenez is riding a tidal wave of success since he was part of a White Sox swap with the Cubs for
Jose Quintana back in July. Humility is in short supply as the youngster terrorizes pitchers in league after league, and Jimenez is certain he will reach the majors in 2018.
This is not the first time Jimenez has puffed his feathers and flaunted his confidence. At the end of the minor-league season, he traveled to Chicago and unequivocally stated that he believed he was good enough to have a seat in the big-league locker room. And while many scoffed at the self-assured slugger he has validated his statements with even better production.
Back on Sept. 5, Jimenez told reporters “I truly believe that I can be playing here right now. … The only thing I can do is to work hard every day … and put myself in the best position to force them to make a decision.”
Jimenez is batting .400 in eight games for Gigantes del Cibao with two home runs, three doubles, one triple and eight runs batted in. He was named Liga de Beisbol Dominicana Player of the Week and steadfastly believes he will be in the majors next season.
“Playing here has been something incredible for me and the experience has been great,” Jimenez said through interpreter Billy Russo. “The atmosphere here is very good. The fans support you, cheer for you, and it is crazy because they say all kinds of things.”
Jimenez praised the level of pitching in the Dominican Winter League, saying “They don’t stop for anything,” while complementing the quality to stuff he has faced. With all the bravado he brings to the White Sox it seems he is close enough to make the types of predictions he has. He earned a late-season promotion to Double-A and played very well. And if he continues to step on the gas early next season he might turn his prophecy into reality.
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